Muslim woman=Ugly stares.. WHY?

Question

While riding onthetrains and busses and often just walking down the street, the stares because of my hijab (head scarf) refuse to stop. I don't mind the stares I just want to know the meaing behind them. I live in NY, the city that is supposed to have the mst number of mixted cultures. I was just wondering where the tolerance and understanding has gone.

On this site while browsing questions, a person called "WhiteMaster" decided to spam the religion section with a whole bunch of, excuse my language..****..against Islam and the Quran.

I would love for someone to explain the stares and the hatred.

LOL I pitty you "white master" ... YOU MAN WHORE

Answer 1

My dear sister, I can´t explain it more than that
1-some people are curious,
2-some people are ignorant,
3-some are misinformed,
4-some are out to stir up trouble.
It is the fourth type of person which stares with that "negative" energy, which makes us feel bad.

I live in a small town (pop. 8000) in southern Germany, which is very: conservative, has an unspoken rather right-wing mentality, is mostly staunchly Catholic, and populated by mostly farmers and quite well-off people. But I get much fewer troubles and stares than in the next nearby city. People here all know me, and basically get along with me. When I first moved here I was nervous about how I would be treated, so I spent the first few months here keeping up my Canadian habit of smiling at people and saying "hello" to them on the street, even if I didn´t know them. (This throws off Germans totally, and especially from a lady with hijab) Eventually they started saying hi back, and I was "accepted" into the "club". Even the old Iadies really like me! I suppose the hijab really works as a curtain to keep the hating people away from me on the street.

Of course none of this is possible in N.Y.. I can only suggest to stay strong, and as a few other sisters have mentioned, be aware of the energy you are giving out - is it weak and vulnerable, or strong and confident? It makes A LOT of difference.

Ironically, I find that it is more often other women who look at me with hatred. In discussions, I have actually heard many men say they don´t mind a scarf at all, some even find it good !!!!!!!!!

Sometimes I get really nice stares - a lady tells me she just really likes that scarf. Once a little girl sat across from me in the subway and whispered to her mommy that I was a princess. Almost all of the "good" stares have been in Canada. Maybe once in Germany.

But there are some times when I can´t hold myself back, so when I know I´m REALLY getting a stare, I stop walking and stare them RIGHT BACK into the eyes, and hold the stare until they stop and go away. It surprises them. Either they are embarrassed and look away immediately, or they take up the challenge and look a bit longer, but not too long. At least I know that I have made them think twice about what they just did!!

Answer 2

Because it relates to thoughts about terrorism. And a hijab looks ridiculous in the 21 century.

Answer 3

It's because the Muslim is "different". If one is different it will attract the stares you talk about. In America, at least from where I have been, there is very little difference in religions. They all say similar things, they say they all teach and preach from similar books and the Bible. The Muslim is different - they teach, preach and live according to the Koran.
I don't know if what you see is hate, but since 9/11 America has been "educated" what is normal and what is not by the government. If you think no, well think of this: When America was involved in the cold war with Russia in the 1950's and 1960's, our cartoons were of Popeye and Bluto and Olive oil. Those characters were drawn to resemble American and Russian peoples. The Americans were Popeye and Olive oil, and the Russian was Bluto. Another cartoon was the Rocky and Bullwinkle show where there were two Russian spies that were always trying to blow up things and take over America.
It's NOT your fault. It just happens to be how America deals with outsider governments.
This posting ought to cause a minor war!

Answer 4

How would you know how much uncovered people are sweating unless you stare closely at them? Why do you do this? Desert peoples cover up not in order to remain cool, but rather to protect themselves from dehydration. Edit: No. That's not how it works. It's similar to covering your face in a dry wind so that the mucus membranes of your throat and nose don't dry out. If you are out in a very dry desert, and have the luxury of putting an already wet towel or a dry one over your head, choose the wet one. However, the dry one, once dampened by your sweat will also help conserve the remaining moisture in your body.

Answer 5

Sister some Americans are ignorant of what Islam is really about and listen to the media and the Internet saying that Islam is a cult and devil religion and all Muslims worship Satan which isn't true but that's on the minds of some Americans because that is what they are shown and taught every day. Others are afraid of Islam and Muslims because they may have never seen what real Muslims are all about so they stare and call Muslim sisters names behind their backs. Don't worry about it and remember you'll get your reward with ALLAH(SWT) for your suffering that you put up with here.

Answer 6

In some parts of this country seeing a woman in the hijab is still a rare sight, though getting rarer. Maybe it is that glimpse of hte obscure and unknown that causes pople to stare. At least, I would hope that is all it is. Unfortunately the red-top press continue in their xenophobic attitudes towards anything that is either new or 'not us'.

For my part, I teach in a school with only a few Muslim students and I delight every time I see a young Year 10 girl wearing her hijab to school. We should all likewise be celebrating our differences, not trying to stare them down into obscurity.

Answer 7

Maybe it is a US thing. In London no-one pays that much attention to anyone else.

I frequently work and socialise with muslims - some hijabis - and what's on their head isn't really big news. In the next few weeks I'm reverting to Islam and marrying an Muslim woman, and I have friends who've done the same, so I know there's plenty of cross-cultural love and respect out there.

I must admit to having stared at girls in hijab on buses a few times but that was only because they were rather cute!

Answer 8

A lot of people just don't understand. In Morocco, it's common for women who don't wear hijab to tie a scarf on their heads (showing some hair) in the winter to keep warm (rather than a hat). I do it too - but I tried it once in France and someone spit at me (assuming I was French probably).

Anyhow, they're just haters. Take Jenny's advice.

Answer 9

I personally find muslim women wearing the hijab quite um.....ahem....sorry if i offend any muslim women out there i men no disrespect it is only meant as a highest compliment........quite sexy and hot, i mean not the old ladies but the young ones whom you can tell have a smoking hot body under that clothing and carry themselves with great confidence, as a native canadian man i am used to the women in my community carrying themselves with great confidence and assuance of themselves and its a grat turn on for me. It also makes them (muslim women) come off as mysterious which is also sexier than hell also, so i say to people stop hating some of us like it, and to you muslim women who wear their hijabs with pride, keep it up, **** what everyone else thinks people are people you are you. Have a good day

Answer 10

I'm really sorry about that. This is a country that tends to have very intolerant people. I can't speak for other countries because I don't live there. You're going to get stares. People don't understand you or your dress and they think that if you dress Muslim, you're some kind of terrorist. I can't stop the looks. If I could, I'd stop the ugly looks for Muslims and other people. I think it's a serious injustice, but be proud of where you're from and who you are and don't let the ugly looks tear you down.