Once upon a time, more than twenty years ago, the town of Lafayette was abuzz with excitement as the bright, sunny day marked the beginning of a new chapter for Ummni.
She was about to embark on her journey to the university, and the entire community rejoiced.
However, there was a condition set by her father—Ummni had to get married before graduating.
Nonetheless, Ummni and her husband, your father, agreed that marriage should precede her registration, leading to a double celebration for both them and the community.
The Carefree Attitude:
As Ummni set foot into the university, she was taken aback by the carefree attitude that permeated the campus. Unlike her secondary school days, where uniforms were mandatory for students and private attire was reserved for teachers, the university had no such requirements.
It was difficult to distinguish between students and professors solely based on their appearance.
The Absence of Uniforms:
Ummni’s daughter, Jamila, expressed her surprise upon learning that uniforms were not mandatory in university.
Ummni explained that while there was no compulsion for students to wear uniforms, certain faculties, such as the Faculty of Law, had a dress code during classes.
Male students were expected to wear black trousers, white shirts, and black neckties, while female students were to wear skirts instead of trousers, along with white shirts and black neckties. However, outside of classes, students had the freedom to dress as they pleased.
The Striking Difference:
Jamila inquired further, seeking to understand the disparity between students and staff in terms of dressing.
Ummni clarified that while the absence of uniforms allowed for individuality, it also led to a striking difference in dressing styles.
She candidly remarked that some female students seemed to dress in a manner that left very little to the imagination.
The revealing clothing choices raised eyebrows among those accustomed to stricter dress codes in their earlier schooling years.
A Shift in Perspective:
Bint, Ummni’s other child, shared her concern about the lack of discipline and decency associated with such dressing choices. S
he found it perplexing that the university permitted such attire when even her primary school would send students home for wearing the wrong color of sandals.
Omar, the eldest sibling, chimed in, expressing his belief that discipline and decency should be ingrained in individuals regardless of their educational level.
The Salma Encounter:
Ummni then recounted an encounter with a girl named Salma, whose physical appearance attracted significant attention.
Salma’s fair complexion, tall stature, slim figure, and ample bosom were hard to miss. She wore tight-fitting clothes that made onlookers wonder how she managed to squeeze into them.
Dark sunglasses only accentuated her captivating presence. Young men openly ogled at her, while Ummni and a few others, still holding onto traditional values, pretended not to notice.
Conclusion
Ummni’s experience at the university shed light on the newfound freedom of dressing and its impact on campus life.
While the absence of uniforms allowed for personal expression, it also brought about a stark difference in clothing choices.
The encounter with Salma highlighted the various perspectives regarding appropriate attire in an academic setting. Ultimately, the understanding of discipline and decency should extend beyond specific levels or categories of education.