| Author |
 Topic  |
|
gambia6005
Canada
79 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 20:20:27
|
maybe someone did it before me but I want to start a discussion on how to behave properly,when you visiting as a tourist a muslim country-please do not make the rules to tight but for example can a grownman walk around in shorts outside the hotel area let's say banjul or serrekunda market or on a tour in the country upriver
can woman bade topless on the beach-
please allow me to ask these questions,I hope we will find some agreement
|
|
|
leokat
United Kingdom
123 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 21:08:33
|
gambia6005 are you talking about The Gambia specifically?
As I'm sure you are aware, Muslim countries vary greatly in their dress codes and rules. Also, are you asking only what people from other religions should wear or do you include Muslims from other countries?
For example, no matter what one's religion, one would not be expected to wear anything but the most modest dress in certain fundamental Muslim states and one would expect Muslims from these same countries to adhere to their religious/national dress code no matter where they travelled. On the other hand in more progressive Muslim countries there is almost an air of 'anything goes,' particularly with regard to tourists/visitors.
In Tunisia there is currently a law which prevents Muslim (as well, presumably, as women from other religions) women vearing the veil in schools and public offices and buildings.
I found The Gambia to be a very relaxed and liberal country where dress codes are concerned. Many young people have adopted 'western' dress - jeans, t-shirts, etc etc.
However, I wouldn't walk around (as I saw one young woman do last January) in nothing but a white see-through pair of lace micro shorts and matching bra. Moreover, if I chose to sunbathe topless on the hotel beach I would expect (as I also witnessed) young Muslim men (here I am talking about hotel staff and security) to be 'curious.' One has to accept that these young men do not have the same access to erotic and pornagrahic images and films as men in the west. Nor do they have the same opportunities for premarital sex (except maybe with the tourists). It is therefore perhaps understandable, though not necessarily condonable, that their curiosity gets the better of some.
The times when I found myself preferring to dress most modestly were when visiting a mosque, other religious or government building, when visiting someone's home, and at the market. The latter was a personal choice as one comes into contact with large numbers of 'strangers' at close quarters there.
For me 'modest dress' is a longer dress, skirt or loose trousers and a top that coveres the breasts and upper arms. I also wear a scarf that can be placed on my head if necessary/apropriate. I would think that for men long loose(ish) trousers and a smart-casual shirt would suffice. However, it really comes down to ones own concience and personal choice.
One more thing, it is probably advisable to leave the 'combats' at home. This is not a religious thing but a political/military one.
Having said all of the above I did find that for some Muslim Gambian women the baring of breasts is not problematic. I also saw at least one young Gambian wearing combats. |
 |
|
|
njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 21:33:11
|
its a free country. the majority are muslims but each person has a right to live within thier own space, believing whatever they want to belief or pratice.
we are a secular nation. fatantism has not taken root yet although place like Brikama are do have radical islamic elements. |
|
|
|
kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 21:59:48
|
quote:
Originally posted by njucks
its a free country. the majority are muslims but each person has a right to live within thier own space, believing whatever they want to belief or pratice.
we are a secular nation. fatantism has not taken root yet although place like Brikama are do have radical islamic elements.
Why Brikama seems to be your only example? |
|
|
|
njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 22:13:36
|
lol. ok perhaps it has gotten out of control now but then thats where it all started. these 'Talibans' with their trousers to their ankles, wearing turbans, beating up women, attacking police stations and self appointed 'Mullahs' openly preaching their hardline rhetoric. Brikama has the highest concentration of madrasas perhaps on Earth.
Brikama is a problem. a big one |
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 22:19:12
|
| I am interested to hear more about this. A muslim friend of mine also told me that Brikama has some extremism that is nottrue of the rest of Gambia. |
|
|
|
njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 22:22:07
|
quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
I am interested to hear more about this. A muslim friend of mine also told me that Brikama has some extremism that is nottrue of the rest of Gambia.
i'm sure Kodorong can give you more info. most people in Brikama are originally from places like Yoro Bawol. |
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 22:22:34
|
| Leokat, personally I dress fairly modestly anyway even in UK. But I only wear a bikini around the pool and would never go topless. At the beach I wear a one piece costume and a sarong. When walking around I put clothes over the top of my beach wear. This is because I dont want to offend anyone AND I dont want to draw unwanted attention to me. I want to show respect to Muslim culture. |
|
|
|
njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 22:39:00
|
gambiabev
please feel free in The Gambia and enjoy the beach |
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 22:42:58
|
| I enjoy walking on the beach and swimming in the sea without going naked!! lol! I was brought up to be modest and to save my body for the person I was sleeping with, not for every man!!! |
|
|
|
njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 22:46:18
|
| i'm just being silly. but its good to set high standards for your self in live. |
|
|
|
serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2006 : 19:42:54
|
Bev, I do the same; at the beach I always wear a sarong (pareo) with my bikini. It is surely helpful if you don't want to attract the wrong people. When I go for a walk on the beach I wear the pareo as a dress by pulling it up.
When in town, I always cover my legs. It is a matter of mutual respect, and I feel better when dressed properly. In the family, among women, you can feel free even to uncover your breast; this is not a taboo part, like in Europe.  |
|
|
|
jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2006 : 23:53:14
|
| i dress in clothes that are two sizes too big, i cannot bear anything clingy , fashion does not come into it, but comfort is a big thing, wear a baseball cap or a straw hat, i look like the accidental tourist complete with socks and open toe sandals, that because i use local transport and i am not sure what i walking in. definatly dress respectfully |
|
|
|
Babylon
Sweden
691 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 00:21:06
|
Lol! Jambo, you better watch out for the fashion police! they just might arrest you. 
|
|
|
|
LEMON TIME
Afghanistan
1295 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 15:44:57
|
| As a Gambian man its nice to see some titty and nice bums around the beach aye. |
There is no god but Allah |
Edited by - LEMON TIME on 18 Oct 2006 15:45:39 |
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 22:06:15
|
| That sentiment is enough to make me make sure I cover up. What sexism!!!! |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
