Roundabout Dubai

Pious Jeans

Hot on the heel of the special wudou' sink/washer we read about not a long time ago comes the news about the special Islamic prayer garments for men: Designer jeans that are made to feel and look authentically Islamic:

Designed by an Italian company and named after the Arabic term for Jerusalem, Al Quds Jeans are baggy with a high waist to allow freedom of movement during the repeated kneeling for Islamic worship. They have extra large pockets for glasses, trinkets and prayer beads and also feature discreet green seams at the top of the belt loops, in honour of the faith's sacred colour.

It's a welcome change, though obviously a very tiny one, in the struggle to modernize Islam. However, it seems there is more progress in the realm of rituals than in the more important world of ideas. The stretching that is more desperately needed is in the understanding and the interpretation, and not simply the trousers; and that's one innovation that no Italian or Western company will be able to provide. It’s ironic, but the prayer pants now are definitely way ahead of the praying mind. And that only underscore the intellectual and theological crisis within Islam. Basically, Muslims can't live with proper prayer jeans alone!

More about this story here.

posted by bandicoot @ 2:16 AM