Jblog does have a point in that we should show some sensitivity to the requirements of Islam.
But how can we do this without sacrificing our own principals of freedom and equality? Fortunately, Islam itself provides us with a solution. The hadith of “Rida’ al-Kibir” permits a modest Islamic woman to spend time with men to whom she is not related if she breastfeeds them, making them like sons to her and hence haram for sexual lust. It is apparently not required that she actually be lactating. Just going through the motions will suffice. Perhaps a blanket can be provided for modesty just like any other situation where a woman is breast feeding in public, although good manners suggests that others should not stare at this private activity. Of course, any man who is so culturally insensitive as to refuse to suckle the breasts of all the hijab clad women present should probably be excluded from the gym during the times alloted for Muslim women to exercise.
Hey, don’t get mad at me. I didn’t make up these rules.
