Meaning Of The Hijab

If the author wanted to learn more about Muslim women, she should have sought them out and spent time with them — those who wear hijabs as well as those who don’t. Then, instead of speaking on behalf of Muslim women’s “unheard voice” by talking about her own hijab experiment (“My hijab silenced, but simultaneously, my hijab brought unforgettable words”), she should have asked them to share their own experiences as Muslim women. Then they would have a voice.

One of the most common human characteristics is the impulse to make sense of things by asking: why are things the way they are? Whether it’s from judgement or just plain curiosity, it’s in human nature to ask why one is wearing this or doing that. The essay "My Body is My Own Business" is written by Naheed Mustafa, a Canadian Muslim woman, who discusses the stereotypes and judgements that Muslim women in the western world are subject to because of the hijab. Mustafa talks about how it is unnecessary for women to follow the beauty standards that have been predetermined for them and also how true equality could only be achieved without women displaying themselves to the public.

How you choose to dress yourself shouldn’t be the main focal point of judgements that are passed on to you. Hijabs, and other garments similar to Hijabs such as Turbans, aren’t a way of oppression. They’re also not just a piece of cloth that one has decided to cover him or herself

When I started going to school in Canada I felt pressured to redefine my identity and felt pressured to take my hijab off because I wanted to fit, I wanted other people to see me like they would see any other person. I wanted to let my long, thick, black hair out. I wanted it to dance in the wind, blow around wildly in different directions. I remember people asking me don’t you want to show your hair or don’t you get hot wearing hijab. I would tell them, of course, I want to take it off, but I can’t and they would ask me why, but I had no answer even though I was wearing hijab I didn’t know why I was wearing hijab, I didn’t know what it meant and what was the purpose of wearing hijab. So, I asked my mom, I read some books just to find out what does wearing hijab

Some Muslim women believe that although the principles of modesty are clearly outlined in the Qu’ran, they perceive the wearing of the headscarf as a cultural interpretation of these scriptures. These women sometimes believe that the values espoused by the wearing of the headscarf can be achieved in other ways. Some women believe that while the hijab allowed women in the past to engage in public society without garnering attention, the headscarf in contemporary Western society brings more attention to women and is thus contradictory to its original purpose. Others believe that the hijab and other external practices have become inappropriately central to the practice of Islam, and instead choose to focus on their internal and spiritual relationship with God.While some women might choose not to wear the hijab, most Muslim women agree that it is a woman’s choice whether or not she wears the hijab. Many Muslim and Arab women who have chosen not to wear the hijab are often staunch advocates of a woman’s right to choose to

There is also a great deal of conflict found in Americans’ misunderstanding and ignorance of issues regarding women’s rights and gender equality within the religion and practices of Islam. In the context of American society, the traditional wear of Muslim women is often misinterpreted and misunderstood. The hijab, which is used to veil the heads of Muslim women, rarely goes unnoticed in the eyes of most Americans. Non-Muslims frequently associate this piece of traditional Islamic attire with ideas of subordination and oppression, while disregarding the religious, cultural, and personal motivations that influence a woman’s decision to wear such an article of clothing. While many American women might view Islamic dress code as being confining and restrictive, many Muslim women feel that their clothing actually frees them from the negative attention that can stem from one’s physical attire and appearance. Wearing hijab liberates women from “the constricting mores governing appearance such as fashion trends and the societal expectations of how a woman should look.” The modest covering of the hair and body allows a woman to walk freely in public without being subjected to the suggestive glances and flirtations of men.

Another stereotype of Muslims that media has constructed is around hijabis. Often if a Muslim woman is wearing a hijab, oppression, conservative, traditionalism is associated with them. Rarely is it asked, “was it your choice”. Every woman wearing a hijab may not have to option to chose to wear it or not, but often, it is the women’s individual decisions to decide to wear a hijab or not. Some will wear it when they feel they are ready, some will wear it to be closer to God, and some will wear it as a step towards being religious. No matter what the reason, it doesn’t mean oppression, or being narrow-minded. In every major religion, there is a

But before we start to investigate on this question, we need to know what the definition of the Hijab is. So what is the Hijab? The literal meaning of a Hijab means a curtain or veil which is best understood when understanding the idea of modesty. One of the

Though I concede that the American Hijab may have oppressive aspects, I still insist that religious and personal freedom should not concede to societal pressures to conform due to cultural stereotypes. If American Muslim women let America take away their choice to wear the hijab for the sake of societal comfort and personal agenda, this would be submitting to an act of terrorism,the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims. America stands by its impermeable rule, We do not negotiate with terrorists, and I don’t believe that citizens should have to negotiate and compromise their identity. The fundamental beliefs of this nation are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This does not mean that all

In the article readers are giving further insight into the burqa as well as the veil, two very important articles of clothing in the Muslim religion (Abu-Lughod, 2002, 785). The article states, that in the Muslim religion, “veiling signifies belonging to

Despite many Muslim American women openly declaring that their choice to don a hijab is a celebration of their personal identity, some American feminists believe that hijabs embody Islamic oppression through forcing overly conservative fashion on women (Haddad 261-262). These feminists fail to understand the nuances of the mid-twentieth century Islamic revival, which occurred as a response to many Muslim-majority countries beginning to westernize through the adoption of western fashion and the consumption of alcohol. During the revival, many Muslim women throughout the world began to revert back to traditional Islamic customs, such as wearing a hijab. This open acceptance of religious tradition allowed these women to reaffirm their faith and have a constant reminder of how their personal identities align with their spiritual beliefs (Gomaa).

Muslimah Savors Pico de Gallo Quiche provides a metaphor for a Woman we love or scorn owing to her Hijab. Comparable to the salad, she is colorful and fresh, but her appearance she lulls the unsuspecting. Similarly, if taken together and in the right proportions, she is enlivening. Hijabis, women who wear hijab, invite assumptions of an oppressed Woman in need of salvation. Regrettably, these prejudices and misconceptions come from admirers and detractors. In my opinion, a remedy for understanding should include a prescription. One which deconstructs the allure of a Woman who is as variable and unpredictable as there are recipes for Pico de Gallo.

Some of Muslim women who don’t wear a hijab, are not recognizable, meaning, you can’t tell what religion they are.. A hijab is a headscarf. Some of us, don’t wear it because we haven’t found the “right” time too or the “right” age to wear it. What I mean by that, you either wear it every day, or don’t wear it at all until you choose the right time to cover for the rest of your life. It is a big decision, because of the cruel world we live in. Some people whom are

I was born into a family of mixed cultures and religions. My father was Christian and my mother was of an Islamic descent. I was always respectful to any religion, regardless of it’s beliefs, because it is a symbol of devotion and peace. When I grew up, I was fascinated to see how quickly Islam started to spread in Western parts of the world. My fascination was also followed by disbelief of how ignorant and cruel anti-islamic activists were, blaming every single act of terror and violence onto a religious group. I could believe it on a global scale, but I never knew it was something that could wait for anyone wearing hijab, right around the corner. In my first semester at Hawaii Pacific University, I decided to wear hijab to school, just

The hijab used as a symbol of the Muslim culture is just one characteristic of how it can be perceived; the hijab is also a sign of life, safety and personal identity (Tabassum, 2006, p. 37). Tabassum (2006) interviews an individual by the name of Raheelah who identifies the hijab as not just a piece of clothing that covers a Muslim women’s face, but also as a portrayal of themselves as a person (p. 37).