Muslim women, please don't take offence with my questions?

Question

For those of you who wear a veil;

1)How do you feel about wearing it, is it your choice or do you feel that the wearing of one is against your freedom?
2)If you wear one in public, what happens when you are in an airport?
3)Have you experience any negativity from non muslims about the wearing of one in the work place, school etc?

Answer 1

Why Do I Wear Hijab ?
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By Sultana Yusufali. Published in Toronto Star Young People's Press

I probably do not fit into the preconceived notion of a "rebel". I have no visible tattoos and minimal piercings. I do not possess a leather jacket.

In fact, when most people look at me, their first thought usually is something along the lines of "oppressed female."

The brave individuals who have mustered the courage to ask me about the way I dress usually have questions like: "Do your parents make you wear that?" or "Don't you find that really unfair?"

A while back, a couple of girls in Montreal were kicked out of school for dressing like I do. It seems strange that a little piece of cloth would make for such controversy. Perhaps the fear is that I am harbouring an Uzi underneath it.

Of course, the issue at hand is more than a mere piece of cloth. I am a Muslim woman who, like millions of other Muslim women across the globe, chooses to wear the hijab. And the concept of the hijab, contrary to popular opinion, is actually one of the most fundamental aspects of female empowerment.

When I cover myself, I make it virtually impossible for people to judge me according to the way I look. I cannot be categorized because of my attractiveness or lack thereof. Compare this to life in today's society: We are constantly sizing one another up on the basis of our clothing, jewelry, hair and makeup. What kind of depth can there be in a world like this? Yes, I have a body, a physical manifestation upon this Earth. But it is the vessel of an intelligent mind and a strong spirit.

It is not for the beholder to leer at or to use in advertisements to sell everything from beer to cars. Because of the superficiality of the world in which we live, external appearances are so stressed that the value of the individual counts for almost nothing.

It is a myth that women in today's society are liberated. What kind of freedom can there be when a woman cannot walk down the street without every aspect of her physical self being "checked out"? When I wear the hijab I feel safe from all of this. I can rest assured that no one is looking at me and making assumptions about my character from the length of my skirt. There is a barrier between me and those who would exploit me. I am first and foremost a human being, equal to any man, and not vulnerable because of my sexuality.

One of the saddest truths of our time is the question of the beauty myth and female self-image. Reading popular teenage magazines, you can instantly find out what kind of body image is "in" or "out." and if you have the "wrong" body type, well, then, you're just going to have to change it, aren't you? After all, there is no way that you can be overweight and still be beautiful. Look at any advertisement. Is a woman being used to sell the product? How old is she? How attractive is she? What is she wearing? More often than not, that woman will be no older than her early 20s, taller, slimmer and more attractive than average, dressed in skimpy clothing.

Why do we allow ourselves to be manipulated like this?

Whether the '90s woman wishes to believe it or not, she is being forced into a mold. She is being coerced into selling herself, into compromising herself. This is why we have 13-year-old girls sticking their fingers down their throats and overweight adolescents hanging themselves. When people ask me if I feel oppressed, I can honestly say no. I made this decision out of my own free will. I like the fact that I am taking control of the way other people perceive me. I enjoy the fact that I don't give anyone anything to look at and that I have released myself from the bondage of the swinging pendulum of the fashion industry and other institutions that exploit females.

My body is my own business. Nobody can tell me how I should look or whether or not I am beautiful. I know that there is more to me than that. I am also able to say "no" comfortably then people ask me if I feel as though my sexuality is being repressed.

I have taken control of my sexuality. I am thankful I will never have to suffer the fate of trying to lose/gain weight or trying to find the exact lipstick shade that will go with my skin colour. I have made choices about what my priorities are and these are not among them. So next time you see me, don't look at me sympathetically. I am not under duress or a male-worshipping female captive from those barbarous Arabic deserts. I've been liberated.

Sultana Yusufali is a 17 year old High School student.





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Date: 2004/4/2
Section: Women
The URL for this article is: http://thetruereligion.org/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=112

Answer 2

1. I wear the hijab first and foremost because it is commanded by Allah swt in the Quran. But I love wearing it, it identifies me as a Muslim, it keeps me from being ogled and it reminds me of my duties. 2. I don't care for the braided hijab style, but that's personal taste. As long as a style covers what it is supposed to cover, I would at least consider it, but my tastes tend to be a little tame (I'm 30+) 3. Inside the house where no one can see you but those who have a specific family relationship, or women, or young children, you don't have to wear it, unless you're praying. But if you're outside where you can be seen (as the lady in your example was) then you do have to wear it. Your questions were not the least bit rude and I thank you for your interest in Islam. Please feel free to write me if you have any further questions.

Answer 3

1. I love wearing the veil it is my diginity and it's my choice i would feel very uncomftrable without it and not free.........
2. well i havent really gone but i know people stare and i have heard that some get "randomly" selected to have extra search.
3. No, at school all my friends are very supporting and my teachers two i alway get the "i love that color" or "oh its so pretty comment" when i have a knew one. i have heard some boys talk about islam and stuff badly when they think i can't here and even. one time some one gave a persuasive speech about Islam being bad and stuff(i wasnt in that class) one of my friends was in that class and in the hallway she came up to me looking sad and told me what happened she said "you're not bad" my love and trust went up for her so much.

Answer 4

I m living in an eastren muslim society where Veil is taken to be traditional and cultural...women wear it on their choice becuase here we have this freedom to wear whatever we want, no oppression......i wear hijab mostly do wear veil sometimes on choice and its normal in my society......a woman with Hijab or veil is more respected than a woman without these things...its natural for our men to expect the women to walk out with modest look, the one allowed by islam...and if they go with veil, they are even more respected...
so public treat the veiled woman with respect and honour.....and no ...No negativity whatsoever yet...! Its simply a blessing i must say !! i carried hijab through out my college and my male fellows always respected me more than my fellows who were not interested in it !

Answer 5

i think your question is made with respect so theres no need to take offence.
I don't wear veil, i'm still not ready for it. it makes me said when i see a muslime woman wearing hijab and smoking or using make up or evennot seaking properly, veil is a symbol for islam, and shouldn't be abused. We should all be free about wearing veil or not, nobody should be judge about this. my sincerely opinion

Answer 6

Hmmm
Reading above me,
Ghost aren't living in this World.
So I guess those women are dead to all
that see just a veil.

Creepy, like the walking dead.

Hard to believe you let men control you this way.
But if I was in your Country I would be happy
to wear a veil.
Some Men can't handle looking at Women.
It's for your protection to, to wear a veil.

Answer 7

1. i feel closer to God by wearin the veil......it may seem odd 2 sum ppl but after wearing it i feel my faith has increased .........n yes it was TOTALLY my choice sinz NOBODY in my family even wears the hijab

2.wen im at the airport NUTHIN happens ...i jus show my face wen required...u knw like at the immigration point n tht also 2 a woman but it doesnt matter even if a male staff sees it coz in such matters its okay 2 show the face

3.yes i have experienced negativity from my family itself! n yes my frnds in uni too.....but frankly i gve it on their face.....im doin this for my God n if im happy in it i dun think nebody has the right 2 temme wat i shud do n wat not.

Answer 8

What the hell do you think?
Why don't you where one and find out?

Answer 9

But, I think you know all the answers to your questions...
So, I think you are being offensive.