Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (also titled Santa Claus Defeats the Aliens) is a 1964 science fiction film that regularly appears on lists of the worst films ever made. It is regularly featured in the “bottom 100″ list on the Internet Movie Database, and was also featured in an episode of the 1986 syndicated series, the Canned Film Festival. It was directed by Nicholas Webster, and it stars John Call as Santa Claus. It also includes an 8-year-old Pia Zadora playing the role of one of the Martian children.

 The film took on newfound fame in the ’90s after being featured on an episode of the comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000. It became a holiday staple on the Comedy Central cable channel in the years following its 1991 premiere, helping it become one of the series’ most popular episodes. It has since found new life again in the 2000s having been riffed by Cinematic Titanic, which includes five former cast members from MST3K, as of November 2008. The film recently passed into the public domain, making it legal for it to be posted online or broadcast in its entirety without licensing charges.

Cast
  John Call … Santa Claus
  Leonard Hicks … Kimar
  Vincent Beck … Voldar
  Bill McCutcheon … Dropo
  Victor Stiles … Billy
  Donna Conforti … Betty
  Chris Month … Bomar
  Pia Zadora … Girmar
  Leila Martin … Momar
  Charles Renn … Hargo
  James Cahill … Rigna
  Ned Wertimer … Andy Henderson
  Doris Rich … Mrs. Claus

Amazon Specials!

Hijab. Veil. Kimar. Headscarf. Covering the hair is a compulsory act of worship for all believing Muslim women. It is however, one of the most debated forms of worship in Islam among Muslims and the outside world. It is seen as oppression. It is, in some places, used as oppression. It is a right of religious freedom. It shouldn’t be forced upon women. It shouldn’t be removed by force either.

I wear my veil because I know from the Qur’an that it is required. One interpretation of the verse is:

And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts and do not display their ornaments except what appears thereof, and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms, and not display their ornaments except to their husbands or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or those whom their right hands possess, or the male servants not having need (of women), or the children who have not attained knowledge of what is hidden of women; and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may be known; and turn to Allah all of you, O believers! so that you may be successful. (Qur’an 24:31)

I know the wives of the Prophet veiled themselves and there are several hadith referring to wearing veils as well, so those who rely only on the Qur’an need to look at these as well if they are not convinced. I wear it in as act of worship and submission to Allah. I wear it to distinguish myself as a believer. I wear it so that people will recognize my intellect and abilities before they recognize my looks or my style. 

Women who don’t wear the veil claim it is not modern or progressive, or deny its requirement in the Qur’an. Much of Islam could be argued as not modern or progressive, but we have chosen to submit to all other aspects, so why not the hijab also? There are plenty of modern choices for women who want to wear a veil.   I don’t feel oppressed in my veil, in fact I feel more free.  I can’t tell you how much of my attention went to making sure my hair was in the right place, or if my shirt was pulled up enough or too much depending on who I was trying to impress at the moment.  I would spend countless minutes looking at my fake nails to make sure they were perfect.  I would spend thousands of dollars on clothes and beauty products.  Where did all the get me?  Well, let me just say it wasn’t any place better than where I am now.   

I saw a story on Inside Edition the other night; something about a woman posing for pictures on to of a police cruiser. That part of the story is not what caught my attention. In every shot of the woman, they showed her in a short sleeve bra top with underwear sized shorts (I am not the covered Muslim woman exaggerating here). To complete her ensemble, she had a huge cross pendant around her neck.  Why are Muslim women critizied for piously covering head to toe, but this Christian woman is celebrated for parading naked on cop cars?  

Although it is common to refer to the veil as a hijab, hijab actually refers to the total attire of a modestly dressed Muslim woman, including the veil. A true hijabi should be covered from head to foot baring only the face and hands. They way women choose to interpret the veil requirement is as varied as the debate about the veil itself. Some women choose to fully cover themselves in long loose kimars and chadors, or djellabias with intricately wrapped veils. Some cover their face with specially designed kimars with slits or a thin piece of cloth for the eyes.   Or, they cover their face with a niqab which is added to the veil to cover the mouth and nose.  Some women add gloves to cover their hands as well. And on the other end of the spectrum, some women’s clothes are so tight that they veil they don with it is more for fashion than submission.

Loose. Long. Flowing. Draped. These are the words that should describe a woman in hijab. I admit to struggling myself sometimes. I love the maxi dress and the way it provides a modern yet modest look, but I struggle with the tightness the halter and spaghetti strap styles create. Some believe that pants are not hijab, but I believe that loose fitting, wide leg jeans and pants are perfectly modest for a modern world. I think tops should be long enough to cover the hips and the bottom. Many women, even in the chador or abaya still wear sandals on their feet rather than socks and shoes. I myself wear sandals and flip-flops in the summer (though I didn’t at first). That may not be hijab, but it’s the choice I’m making for now. I usually rely on my husband and mother-in-law in cases of question. If he says it’s fine, and if I see her wearing sandals, for me it’s okay. I respect that others believe it is not okay, but I’d venture a guess that about 75% of women I’ve seen in hijab wear open toe shoes of some sort. 

Furthermore, I don’t believe we have to give up a stylish, presentable look in order to be in hijab. For those of us who live and work in the Western world, it’s almost impossible. I have to admit, my first outfits in hijab were a bit embarrassing as someone who is working in a professional position. I didn’t have a proper wardrobe when I started covering my hair so I worked with what I had, and added better clothes along the way. Soon I fell into a style of wide-leg cotton pants and long button up shirts. I would add a colorful Al Amira hijab and had a range of cute and colorful ballet flats to polish it off. I’m starting to figure it all out now. I think it’s important to feel confident when in a work setting, and our outer appearance has as much a role in that as our inner knowledge of our capabilities. I know that sounds contradictory to what I have said, so let me clarify. I mean a neat and clean outfit does not have to be by the latest designer or fit the season’s trend to make someone feel good, and it doesn’t have to violate hijab either. I’m saying I think there is a middle ground between modernity and piousness when it comes to the hijab.

Dressing in hijab has it’s difficulties, especially when it comes to shopping at a local mall or department store. Most things are long enough or loose enough in the stores or sections that sells clothes appropriate for my age. I’m almost glad I had gained so much weight my first year in hijab because the plus sized catalogs offered plenty of options. By the way, Kmart has the best wide leg cotton pants from the Attention or Apostrophe line (I don’t remember which the correct brand name is). They always have the same style every season, but in addition to basic black and khaki, they add new colors as well as a denim option. Short dresses can often become shirts with pants or even a skirt, and when the maxi dresses are in it’s a good idea to stock up too!

I also found some other great online sources for buying veils which can be hard to come by in the United States. My favorite place is Al Hannah for their ridiculously large range of veils in every style from a basic square to the Al Amira (my favorite), which is a two piece veil that is very comfortable and easy to wear. They have clothing and Islamic products and I’ve always been satisfied with my experience in ordering from them. They have an easy return policy if something doesn’t fit or is not what you expected. Hijab Girl has nice veils to, but she’s super expensive even though she claims to be the lowest on the internet. I see in the current economic crisis, the prices have gone up even higher. On a positive note, she does have some really unique designs so ordering every now and then doesn’t break the bank, and she has some really fantastic clearance sales too! I’ll leave a list of links at the bottom of the post of some of the good places to shop online.

Of course, in Morocco it’s much easier to find veils and other clothes with western style and modest intentions in addition to the djellabas and abayas. I’m always window shopping for cute tops that I can bring back with me to the United States when we return next year. There are a few different styles of hijabs and they themselves can often lead to confusion. Countries and culture interpret the veil in many different ways as well. Some loosely drape cloth over their hair, while others wrap it intricately but still allow the front of the hair to show. In other countries, women are forced to wear a burqa (also called a bee keeper suit by the media) which is a full on, full covered affair. I have no problem with any woman who would choose to wear this, but I don’t believe it should be forced on a woman. In Morocco, it seems that all ranges of the style exist, but most of the women cover their hair fully from the very hairline. I was also surprised to see the amount of women who wear sheer veils so the hair is covered, but the outline and color can still be seen. I can’t even say one particular style is popular over another. As a devoted Al Amira style wearer, I have strayed and recently enjoyed wearing wrapped style that I see on many Moroccan women. I was thinking of trying to explain every kind of hijab, but this article has to end at some point and I have plenty more to write, so feel free to look up the different styles on the internet.

If I may turn to the serious, non-fashion oriented issues of the hijab, there have been some interesting questions and discussions on Ask Huda lately, one that is actually being shown right now. Here are a few of the questions and answers, as well as questions I’ve been asked on the blog, as well as by people I’ve encountered in the United States who have asked sincere questions.

From Ask Huda: Why is the hijab seen as extremist?   Non-believers make fun of those performing religious duties, but the believer who sticks to the religious commitments will sit on the couches in paradise and laugh at those who mocked them. Be patient and do not take off the hijab because of what others say or mock. Stay strong, the reward is great. God has sent forth that women dress modestly and cover their hair, surely Allah knows best.

From Ask Huda: Is there a difference between married and non-married women wearing the hijab? The Sheik answered by first saying he is not aware of the difference in women’s clothes, seeming almost uncomfortable with the question. He smiled before moving on to say that all women beginning at puberty are ordained to wear the hijab. The presenter then asked what about when the women are young and their mother’s tell them not to wear the veil so they can show their beauty to find marriage proposals. The Sheik said that this is not correct, that all women should wear hijab whether married or not. The mother’s are steering their children in the wrong direction for the sake of marriage, but all women should apply Islam first and things such as marriage second.

From a reader: Are you going wear your hijab when you return to the United States? What have your experiences been? The way I see it, being openly Muslim in the United States isn’t too easy. As for women wearing the hijab, I hear a lot of them have to deal with bad remarks from others, as well as stares or looks of suspicion.  I wore my hijab while in the United States before coming to Morocco. While I was overwhelmingly supported by friends and family, I also didn’t find too many problems with “strangers” either. I didn’t get stared at or singled out in the airport during a flight to and from Atlanta. When I returned to the United States from Morocco, the customs agent was quite respectful and seemed interested in many things other than my veil.

I’m hardly ever out of the house without my husband (except at work or meeting with a friend now), because we do everything together so I always feel safer when I’m with him. But, I’m aware of stories of women being harassed or victims of violence for wearing the hijab in the United States. These thoughts scare me sometimes, but I will not be scared enough to take it off because I don’t wear if for anyone but Allah.

The only negative experience I had was once at a lake in Baltimore we used to walk at. My husband decided to run that day, and I stayed walking so he got far ahead of me. A car circling the lake’s walking path passed me and yelled for me to take off my veil, but they kept going. There were plenty of people around me so I don’t think they would have tried to harm me.

The truth is it may not be easy to be openly Muslim in the United States, especially in smaller towns and communities where there are no other Muslims. It’s a little easier in larger cities where there are more Muslims and even established Muslim communities. We can say living in the United States as a Muslim is a for of jihad (personal struggle). But, it’s not a reason to stray from the straight path or to use as an excuse for not fulfilling our duties to Allah. I can deal with stares and looks of suspicion because they are looks born out of ignorance and close-mindedness. That’s not my problem, it’s theirs.

The way I see it, being openly Muslim in the United States is important because we have the opportunity to show the truth of Islam other than what’s portrayed on the media and the misconceptions out that are out there. We can show by example how we can be important productive members of the United States society, and that most of us do not believe in the teachings and oppression that Islamic extremism has shown.

I had a couple of young women at the college I worked at seek me out once I started wearing hijab to discuss Islam with me. That’s what being openly Muslim can also do.

A lot of friends or acquaintances want to know about wearing the hijab once I get home.  A woman can take off her hijab in her own home a soon as she walks in the door (that’s usually when I’m taking it off!) as long as she is alone, there are only other women in the house, or she is with the male family members that are permitted to see her without her veil. These family members are outlined in the Qur’an (see above passage). I take off my hijab in front of my husband, my father, my brother, my brother’s sons, and my brothers-in-law. My brothers-in-law consider me their sister as much as they do their own sister. In all other cases, and in front of other family members I wear my hijab, even when they are visiting my house or my parents house.

 There is so much more to tackle about the hijab and I haven’t even started on the religion versus culture versus male dominated enforcement verses misinterpretation of hijab as a form of oppression discussion. I didn’t find the room to bring up make-up and hijab or the burquini, or distinguish the difference in hijab among cultures…but I’m going to end it here for now. Perhaps your comments will help to strike up a conversation about that and it may lead to additional post.

What I want you to know is that the hijab is ordained by Allah for all women after the age of puberty, and that I believe believing women have an obligation to wear the hijab. I want you to know I choose to wear the hijab, and I believe all women should have the choice and freedom to wear it too.

Here are just a few websites, articles, blogs, and videos for further learning and exploring the hijab.  You can type “hijab” or “Islamic veil” or “even veil as form of opression” in Google or Youtube and you’ll come up with so many result and so many opinions about the subject to read. 

Buy Hijabs Online

• www.alhannah.com
• www.hijabgirl.com
• http://www.starscarves.com/
• http://www.primomoda.com/clothing-store/home.php?cat=3
• http://www.modestclothes.com/islamic/clothing/hijab-islamic-headscarves.html

Blog

• Hijab Style, http://hijabstyle.blogspot.com/
• Muslimah, http://amuslimsistermaria200327.wordpress.com/2009/07/04/hijab-the-veil/
• Multicultural Muslimah, http://multiculturalmuslimah.blogspot.com/search/label/hijab

Videos

• The Women of Islam Veling Seclusion Documentary, http://www.videosift.com/video/The-Women-of-Islam-Veiling-Seclusion-Great-Documentary
• Sami Yusef, Free, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1p4DNzhkhs
• Ummah Films, “That’s  Not Hijab”, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4jQi0Gjy3M
• The Bikini and G-String are OK but Hijab or Veil is Bad? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kJPAlkAJJw
• Hijab, Niqab or Nothing, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXzUuKdfnRE

Articles

• CNN, “Generation Islam – Hijab”,  http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/12/generation.islam.hijab/index.html
• Morocco Moves to Drop Headscarf, http://www.moroccoboard.com/news/34-news-release/166-morocco-moves-to-drop-headscarf
• BBC, “Islamic Veils Across Europe”, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5414098.stm

I recently ordered from this Islamic boutique online called Love Unspoken.  I loved the quality of the clothes that I ordered and the detail that was put into them.  All the items sold are made to order.  You give your measurments for every item to be made specifically for you.  Having your clothes made to order gives you a lot of flexibility for adding length where you want or need it and for allowing extra room in the bustline, waist, hips, etc.   The owner of the boutique contacted me with shipping information in a timely manner.  I had a pleasant experience not only with the ease of ordering but with the customer service as well.  A shop like this is great for a women who has odd measurements that are difficult to fit into standard sizes. 

The products that I ordered were great quality and I will definitely be ordering more clothing from this site.  I encourage the Muslimahs to check it out.

Love Unspoken

Yükseköğretim Kurumu (YÖK) Başkanı Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ziya Özcan’ın rektörler ile tanışma toplantısı yaklaşık 15 dakika sürdü. YÖK Başkanı Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ziya Özcan, bu sabah Hacettepe Üniversitesi Rektörlük binasında yapılan toplantı ile üniversite rektörleri ile tanıştı. Toplantı yaklaşık 15 dakika sürdü.

14.12.2007 12:43:02

YÖK BAŞKANI ÖZCAN’DAN REKTÖRLERE: “KAPIM HER ZAMAN SİZLERE AÇIK”
YÖK Başkanı Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ziya Özcan, rektörlere, “kapım her zaman sizlere açık” mesajı verdi.

YÖK Başkanı Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ziya Özcan, rektörlerle tanıştı. Özcan, çıkışta bir açıklama yapmazken, bazı rektörler basın mensuplarının sorularını yanıtladı.

Üniversitelerarası Kurul (ÜAK) Başkanı ve Akdeniz Üniversitesi Rektörü Prof. Dr. Mustafa Akaydın, Türkiye’nin en önemli gereksinimlerinden birinin öğretim üyesi sayısını artırmak olduğunu belirterek, “Bununla ilgili olabilecek şeyler konuşuldu. Özellikle yurt dışına doktora öğrencisi gönderme, vakıf üniversitelerini destekleme, yurt dışındaki üniversiteler ile ortak lisans, yüksek lisans, doktora gibi programları geliştirme gibi konulara değinildi.” dedi.

Özcan’ın rektörlere de bir mesajı olduğunu kaydeden Akaydın, “Kapısının tüm rektörlere açık olduğunu, çok yakın bir çalışma politikası izleyeceğini, üniversite ziyaretlerinin yapılacağını, üniversitelerin sorunlarının çözülebilmesi için kendisinin ve YÖK’ün rektörlere ihtiyacı olduğunu, aynı geminin içinde beraber gittiğimiz benzetmesini yaparak ifade etti.” diye konuştu.

“HEP BİRLİKTE ÇALIŞACAĞIZ”
TOBB ETÜ Üniversitesi Rektörü Prof. Dr. Tahsin Kesici, tanışma toplantısında Özcan’ın rektörlere, “Kapım her zaman sizlere açık. Birbirimizden uzaklığımız bir telefon kadar. Hep birlikte çalışacağız.” mesajları verdiğini söyledi.

Kesici, “Rektörlerden konuşan olmadı. Öyle bir ortam oluşturulmadı. Sadece bir tanışma, ilk mesajı verme toplantısı, o kadar.” dedi.

GAZİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ REKTÖRÜ YAMAÇ: “TANIŞMA TOPLANTISIYDI. BAŞKANLA İLK KEZ TANIŞTIM”
Gazi Üniversitesi Rektörü Prof. Dr. Kadri Yamaç, Özcan’ın toplantıda kısa bir konuşma yaparak kendisini tanıttığını belirtti.

“Bizim açımızdan da bir ilk tanışmaydı.” diyen Yamaç, “Diğer arkadaşları bilmiyorum ama, başkanla ben daha önce de tanışmamıştım.” ifadesini kullandı.

Yamaç, “Kendisinden bahsetti, mezuniyetinden, yaptığı çalışmalardan. Bir de üniversite konusunda, kadro, mali konular ve özlük hakları ile ilgili düşüncelerine değindi.” şeklinde konuştu.

Kadri Yamaç, “İzleniminiz nedir?” sorusu üzerine, şöyle devam etti: “Her yeni yönetici, yeni başladığı görevde, kendisine bir vizyon çabası içindedir. Başkanda da bu şekilde olduğu kanaatindeyim. İzlenimim şöyle, demek için çok erken.”

Toplantıda rektörler ile karşılıklı görüş alışverişinde bulunulmadığını aktaran Yamaç, “Kendisi, üniversiteler, özgür ortam ve yasakların olmaması konusunda da birkaç cümle söyledi.” şeklinde konuştu.

EMEKLİ ÖĞRETİM ÜYELERİNİN TEKRAR GÖREVE ÇAĞRILMASI KONUŞULDU
İnönü Üniversitesi Prof. Dr. Fatih Hilmioğlu, “Sayın Özcan, özgeçmişini anlattı. Bir soru sorulmasına mahal bırakmadan toplantıdan ayrıldı.” dedi.

Hilmioğlu, “Yeni vizyona ilişkin bilgi verildi mi?” sorusu üzerine, şu görüşleri aktardı: “Tartışmaya muhtaç, tartışılması gereken bazı şeyler söyledi. Katıldığım şeyler de var. Türkiye öğretim üyesi sıkıntısı çekiyor. Emekli olan öğretim üyelerinin tekrar göreve çağrılması şeklinde. Ama tabi orada çok daha fazla şeylerin tartışılması gerekirdi, ama böyle bir tartışma ortamı oluşturulmadı. Yapacak da bir şey yok. Türkiye’de şimdiye kadar YÖK Başkanı’nın katılmadığı bir Üniversitelerarası Kurul toplantısı hatırlamıyorum. Herhalde ilk kez olacak.”

Hilmioğlu, Özcan’ın ÜAK taplantısına katılmama ile ilgili bir gerekçe belirtip belirtmediğinin sorulması üzerine, “Bilmiyorum.” yanıtını verdi.

Özcan’ın, YÖK’te göreve başladığı ilk gün, “üniversitelerdeki bütün yasaklar kalkacak” açıklaması ile ilgili değerlendirmesinin olup olmadığının sorulması üzerine, Hilmioğlu, “Hayır olmadı” diye konuştu.

Hilmioğlu, üniversitelerdeki başörtüsü yasağı ile ilgili ise şunları söyledi: “Türban yasağını kaldırmaya kimsenin gücü yetmez. Türkiye bir hukuk devletidir. Anayasa Mahkemesi kararları bağlar, Danıştay kararları bağlar, iç hukuk kararları bağlar. Avrupa İnsan Hakları Mahkemesi’nin kararları da böyledir. Dolayısıyla Türkiye bir hukuk devletiyse, ulema devleti değil ise bu şekilde hepimizi bağlar.”

Hilmioğlu, YÖK Başkanlığı’na Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ziya Özcan’ın atanması ile ilgili ise şu yorumu yaptı: “Ben ne diyebilirim. YÖK Başkanı’nı atama yetkisi Cumhurbaşkanı’na aittir. Herkes kendisine yakışanı yaptı, diye düşünüyorum.”

ZAMAN