HIJAB AS AN ISLAMOPHOBIA AND THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF MUSLIM WOMEN PART (02)

HIJAB AS AN ISLAMOPHOBIA AND THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF MUSLIM WOMEN

Some people believe that the Islamic faith is oppressive to women. In the west, particularly in France, the Hijab or headscarf that many Muslim women wear has become a symbol of this perceived oppression. This blog explores the experience of wearing the Hijab of Muslim Women of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It will draw attention that why some Muslim women consider it a mark of empowerment, what kind of motivation they have to wear the Hijab, and how the Hijab protects them.

MEMOONA ASHFAQ

Assalam o Alaikum wa-raḥmatu llāhi wa-barakātuhu. I am Memoona Ashfaq. I am a student. I am doing my graduation in BS Zoology from a great institute GC UNIVERSITY LAHORE. Today the purpose of my writing is to highlight the importance of the hijab for girls. Hijab is a symbol of modesty and protection. The Qur'an instructs Muslim women and men to dress modestly, and for some, the hijab is worn by Muslim girls and women to maintain modesty and privacy from unrelated males. I started to observe abaya and veil in my university life. Before that, I used to carry a scarf but the 1st day at the university was the 1st day when I started àbaya and hijab. And then I feel it is very comfortable and easy to carry. Initially in my 1st semester, one of my friends said it is just a start. It is a university. People just start this kind of hijab and are then unable to persuade it just because of the opinions of people around us. You will also not be able to persuade this. It was the time when I decided that I will continue to wear the hijab just because it is the beauty of our Islam. And now it's my 7th semester and still, Allah Pak blesses me strength to follow the hijab.

Hijab has three roles that should be considered by Muslim women: it should be not form-fitted, it should not be transparent, and it should not be attractive.

I, as a Muslim woman, feel very comfortable wearing the hijab. For me, the hijab means religious devotion, discipline, reflection, respect, freedom, and modernity. I am pro-democracy because for me democracy means having choices in how to live our lives. I also support and promote mutual respect between Muslim and non-Muslim women. I want the world to treat Muslim women with the same respect they treat other women, from other religions and cultures who wear headscarves such as Hindu women, Jewish women, Greek women, and Catholic nuns. The assumption that wearing a hijab is oppressive should change from an oppressive idea to a liberating one.

When it comes to Muslim women, Hijab is expressed in not only the covering of the head but also typically covering the body when dressing, without tight clothing. It can mean only showing the hands and feet and face- hence wearing long sleeves, pants, and the commonly worn headscarf, such as the hijab, which covers the head and shoulders. In South West Asia and North Africa, it is common to see women wearing Abayas, which are cloaks that cover the entire body. And why we as Muslim women are not following the basics of our religion that are safety tools for us. Because the hijab overtly indicates that she is a Muslim woman. She represents the values that she follows in Islam.

"The beautiful thing about it is that I'm representing a religion".

"So when I do something, I am seen as a Muslim woman that did something. After I talk to others, I hope they'll remember me as the hijabi who was kind, well-spoken, and outgoing. “I hope my words may have some positive impact on society. And as Muslim girls, it is our 1st priority to Follow Islam which is a very easy and beautiful religion. Thanks.

 

KAINAT FATIMA

I am Kainat Fatima, 22 years old and a student of microbiology. I started wearing Hijab or dupatta after my matriculation, I am still not obeying it the way I should but it is still better than before and will be perfect with time INSHALLAH.

The first thing that motivates me is the LIFE OF LADY ZAINAB ع (daughter of Hazrat Ali ع), the way she obeyed is extraordinary. Secondly, I feel better when wearing any such modest thing that I do wear western too so I can tell the comfort zone is being less exposed.

Does Hijab protect you?

Yes PERIOD.

Will you suggest other Muslim women to wear Hijab?

In this case, only advice to all the women including MYSELF is keep trying less is not the less if not stopped, everyone owes a different journey may be one day we will be obeying it perfectly so don't try to find arguments AGAINST HIJAB. Give others their time take your time. Live it up you all QUEENS.

 

 

RIDA IQBAL

My name is Rida Iqbal. I am from Karachi and 20 years old.I started wearing a hijab when I was in Class 8.

There are many things that motivate me to wear a hijab. First of all, it is the order of my Allah and his Rasool. And surely there is goodness in every order of his. In addition, in this period full of temptation, it is the best solution to avoid the evil eyes of the men. In my opinion, the beauty of every girl is in the hijab.

The hijab is the best protection for all girls. I feel very protective and comfortable when I am in a hijab. The identity of hijabis girls is unique and different from all others. Hijab represents all the girls as Muslim women.

I love wearing a hijab and I am proud of it.

 

AFSHEEN RIAZ

I am 17 years old and a student in my first year. I started wearing hijab from 6 class and niqab from 9^th standard. Alhamdullilah

I started it because, I feel awkward and I used to see my family girls in hijab afterward. When I read Quran with Urdu translation so I learned that it is not a choice it's an obligation from Allah almighty then I started niqab. Absolutely hijab protects me because it's a barrier between me and the evil eyes of people. Surely, I will suggest girls wear it because it's a commandment of Allah. Sunnah of Hazrat Fatima(R.A) and inshallah it will become a deed which will take us to Jannah because ONE GOOD DEED WILL OPEN THE DOOR FOR OTHER GOOD DEED.

 

 

AREESHA ANSARI

My name is Areesha Ansari. I'll be 20 years old in the next month InsjaAllah. I am currently a first-year MBBS student. I started wearing a hijab when (1) I was 12 years old. I would wear it all day all night.. even in front of my family... because I felt comfortable in it... I was demotivated by many far-related individuals who thought I was being forced to wear it by my parents. I feel like hijab is my uniform...something that constantly reminds me of my boundaries, my haya, and my individuality as a Muslim.. to me it's a submission to Allah that I follow his commands.

And since the Prophet (ﷺ) said: If you don't feel ashamed (from Haya') do whatever you like." This hadith is sacred to me, Because haya is what brings life to the soul. Hijab indeed is a blessing and protects me from my desires and helps me in controlling them. I feel protected from shaitan at some levels only because the hijab reminds me constantly of my goal for Jannah. I as a hijabi felt comfortable and secure in it. Hijab is a command not only to women but also men. We all have to be in our uniforms and show the world that it isn't oppression.

HIJAB AS AN ISLAMOPHOBIA AND THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF MUSLIM WOMEN PART (01)

 

HIJAB AS AN ISLAMOPHOBIA AND THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF MUSLIM WOMEN

Some people believe that the Islamic faith is oppressive to women. In the west, particularly in France, the Hijab or headscarf that many Muslim women wear has become a symbol of this perceived oppression. This blog explores the experience of wearing the Hijab of Muslim Women of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It will draw attention that why some Muslim women consider it a mark of empowerment, what kind of motivation they have to wear the Hijab, and how the Hijab protects them.

 

SHAZHANA SALEETH

I'm Shazhana Saleeth, from Sri Lanka. I'm a student. I started wearing the hijab during my teenage. Since I'm a Muslim and I was brought up in a religious background my parents explained to me the concept of the hijab and after that, I started to wear the hijab.

In the beginning, I wore a hijab as they taught me. They didn't force me to wear a hijab but I obeyed the religious commandments as my parents taught me. So, I continued to wear a hijab. And when I started to learn about Islam, I started to realize the rationale and logic behind the hijab. Whatever the crime happening now around the globe to women, proved to me the value of wearing a hijab. Our creator knows what's best for us. It is also a scientific and logical belief. Psychology explains to us the fact that whatever we wear has an impact on our thinking and behavior. Wearing hijab changes our behavior in a very positive way, I realized it. So, now I would say Hijab is my choice. Choice of dignity and modesty!

I feel secure and protected when I wear the hijab. Islam gives the proper dignity and status to women. And it is the way of life, which regards the women as a pearl to be well protected. Also, on one hand, it's a sign of 'haya' shyness and modesty for women. On the other hand, it makes us stronger and more courageous to face the challenges in our lives.

 

I would suggest wearing a hijab to all my sisters whoever reads this if you are not wearing it. Also, I would like to remind you, that it should be a choice for the sake of our creator, not a forceful effort. Read and learn more about it you'll get convinced and realize what the real meaning of hijab is and make a life-changing choice to seek the best in this world and Aakhira! May Allah make us all amongst the people who earned the pleasure of Allah, and protect us from the temporary, evil, and obsessive materialistic desires Amen!

 

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I'm a girl in her late teens. I started wearing a hijab from my 12th age. When I started wearing I wore it just because it was a culture in my area. But later on, I understood the importance of the hijab which is the reason why I have never taken it off in front of a non-mahram.

Whenever someone asks me why do you cover myself I give them a very simple example, will insects approach a candy that is wrapped properly or the opened, uncovered candy?

Insects will approach the unwrapped one. So, I consider the hijab my wrapper which protects me from all sorts of lusty sights.

When did someone ask me why would I recommend them to cover? For that question also I would approach them with another illustration.

Do you put a gem carelessly on road or will you beautifully protect it, keep it wrapped inside a safety locker? Even when you have to expose the gem, you won't bring it out barely, rather you'll place it engraved on a gold ring wear the areas to be visible would be out and other areas would be covered so that the gem would remain safe and secure.

Don't you consider yourself a gem? Aren't you a precious creation of Al-Musawwir? Didn't he design you so beautifully? Why would you let that beauty be admired by everyone who doesn't deserve it?

Precious ones need protection. If you consider yourself precious, protect yourself with a hijab.

AYESHA NAZIR

I'm Ayesha Nazir, 21 years old, I am a student. I started the hijab at the age of 17 years.

I don't want to go into sins, that thing motivates me the most, I want to be that lady who is confident, topper and a Hijab, The most interesting thing was that I want to challenge myself and I put myself into trouble without the Hub of Allah SWT and the most beautiful part is that He gave me his Love and Rahma. The hijab always protects me from sins of public and private life. I realize all the time that I am wearing the Hub of Allah.

I will suggest all Muslim young girls wear Hijab because it not only makes them different but also helps others to respect them more than anybody.

Hijab is my pride. May Allah SWT accept it. Amen

(Video recorded by aforementioned responder to share the experience of Wearing The Hijab)

 

JAVARIA ARIF

I am Javaria Arif and I completed my graduation in Mathematics. Currently, I am serving my country through the profession of teaching. Alhamdulillah

I started to wear a hijab after my matriculation at the age of 15. During the whole journey of my education, I have the experience of wearing the Hijab. When I went to University (co-education), I was one of the few female students who wore the Hijab. No doubt, sometimes I am attracted to showing my beauty to everyone like many other female students but the thing that always stopped me is my family's dignity because I belonged to a religious family. Alhamdulillah. I believe that sometimes other than Islamic teaching, girls need some kind of experienced motivation from their elder women and for this, I have my mother who always teaches me many good things for my successful life in this world and hereafter.

Hijab is the beauty of a Muslim woman and when you wear hijab people respect you a lot especially men. So, these things motivate me to wear a hijab.

The hijab protects me because when I wear a hijab I feel more comfortable than without a hijab. Yes, I suggest other Muslim women wear hijab because in hijab women look more beautiful.

 

SUNDAS NAYYAB

I am Sundas Nayyab, 27 years old, working as a Lecturer at a Government institute. I started wearing a hijab at the age of 14 when I was a matric student. Hijab protect me and made me unique from other religions. A hijab always protects me I feel much easier by wearing a hijab. I consider this thing to motivate myself to wear Hijab and that is "the Hijab is the identification of Muslim Women and I don't want to lose this identification".

Yes, I strongly recommend the hijab to other Muslim women because it's a beautiful sign of Muslim women. It gives you more beauty. I would also like to add this thing, parental teachings are very important for this type of activity, if every mother or father starts teaching their daughters the benefits of the Hijab in this world and hereafter from their childhood, then more daughters will be able to sustain their identification.

 

 

TAHIRA KHALID

This is Tahira Khalid. I'm 21 years old and a student of BS botany Semester 7th in Government College University Lahore. I started the hijab after FSC. On my first day at GCU, I decided to wear a hijab. People usually asked me, "Have you any orders from your family to wear hijab?" And I always replied, "No, it's my personal choice. I don't feel comfortable without wearing a hijab".

In class 12th, I read the famous novel "JANNAT K PATTY" and this was my turning point. I got the most satisfactory answer from this novel and that was " I wear hijab because Allah likes women who wear hijab". Most important, the hijab is protection. It protects us from evil people and shows us as Islamic girls. It also bounds us to not be free with random boys and helps us to have a positive attitude toward others.

I suggest girls do hijabs as It helps women to survive in this society respectfully and to become beautiful women.

 

RIZWANA SARFRAZ

I'm Rizwana Sarfraz. I'm 22 years old. Currently, I have submitted my thesis and I am CSS Aspirant. I belong to a well-educated and religious family. So, Pardah is my family's legacy as well. Till my school level, I used to follow a school uniform that was completed with a dupatta and stroller scarf. From Intermediate I used to wear Abaya and Hijab with Niqab also. Now Hijab has been my identity and with Abaya, I feel comfortable and secure.

Yes, Hijab is a matter of pride for me as well as Abaya. I have a collection of different abayas and strollers.

What I see here is that my class fellows used to wear an abaya and hijab but after 2 to 3 three semesters they were completely different personalities with tight dresses, dyed and straight hair, etc...Even once I was trolled by my class fellow from Lahore that we all are now wearing dresses and look modern only you are wearing Abaya and hijab, don't you have dresses to wear??? I laughed and replied what you wear is your choice, and what would I wear should be my choice. I belong to a well-earning family as well as I am the only sister of three brothers.

I was committed enough that I would not do that from the start wear abaya and in the end, show myself to everyone in the university. Because I believe that Islam considers women very precious like diamonds and diamonds should be wrapped under covers so that no one can have access to open the cover and see the diamond. Secondly, I don't know why but I believe as long as we women will protect our beauty it will be long-lasting and as soon as it would be open to every hungry eye we will be lost our attractiveness.

Yes, I will suggest other Muslim Women wear Hijab as we are going somewhere else that's opposite to our religion. In the end, I would love to say something that my dear Girls! Instead of showing ourselves to others, we should have the confidence that yes! I'm precious enough so that everyone cannot see my beauty. And this confidence is more beneficial both in this world and in the Akhirah.

 

NUKHLA FIRDOUS

I am 22 years old and a student by profession. I started wearing a hijab when I was in 8th class. My family was my motivation behind wearing a hijab. Hijab is actually for the protection of females.

In Quran in hijab ayah the words:

ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ

"That is near for them to be known and not to be offended."

That shows that the hijab is for protection. Alhamdulillah hijab is my protection.

Allah ordered females to wear hijabs. This is a source of protection for them. Yes, I also suggest Muslim women must wear hijabs. You cannot imagine how the feeling of protection or safety in a hijab without its wearing so must do veil.

 

ANILA FATIMA

I'm Anila Fatima, 22ys old and a graduate student. I started wearing a hijab when I was in 8th class. In the beginning, my mother asked me to wear a hijab as it is obligatory in İslam. But when I have grown up I realized this is an order by Allah SWT to do Pardah. Then from my 1st year, I started wearing a hijab of my choice and I'll say Alhamdulillah that Allah selected me for this deed.

Some reasons made me wear a hijab. 1stly this is Allah's order. 2ndly as every order of Allah is for our betterment I realized that this is also for our betterment. So being a Muslim girl is the largest factor to wear a hijab.

Yes! İn my opinion, it protects us. As we feel relaxed when we are in hijabs, especially in the veil. We don't feel much awkward if someone looks at our face as we knew it's covered. Moreover, people also get the clue that this girl is within her boundaries. And wearing a hijab also limits us in a good way as we knew that if we do a hijab then we must have to follow a few rules being a hijabi Muslim girl.

Yes! For sure. Every girl should do a hijab not for the people but for herself because if Allah has ordered us to wear a hijab then it's beneficial for us of course. Every girl should understand the importance of the hijab as a Muslim girl. Hijab protects us and stops us from many evil deeds.

 

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I am a 23-year-old girl. I am a student. I started wearing the hijab at fourteen. I don't know exactly but even before starting wearing Hijab I wanted to start it as soon as possible because it fascinated me.

It helps me to stay within my limits without even realizing it. I feel more confident, dignified, and protective. Nowadays it's a common and very unethical act that anyone can capture you in any condition on their camera without your realization or permission. Wearing a hijab makes me feel free of all such worries as I know that I am always in an appropriate getup with my face covered. We cannot stop others but we can make ways easy for ourselves.

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I am a Muslim Girl. I have recently completed my graduation. I started wearing Hijab when I was 7 years old. First of all, the teachings of Islam motivated me to wear a hijab. Secondly, the big motivation was my family, where all women wear Hijab.

Surely, it protects me. I feel confident in my Hijab. Most women comments it is not necessary to cover the face, but It is an order of Allah. At the revelation about Hijab, All Sahabiya

 

HIRA MOBEEN

I am Hira Mobeen and I am a student of Bs (Hons) at Govt. College University Lahore. I am 21 years old. I belong to a very humble background. I started wearing Hijab at the age of 15 when I started college. Initially, I started wearing Hijab because I had to go to the academy and it was quite uncomfortable for me to go outside without Hijab. But over time, I learned that it is a religious obligation to cover ourselves properly.

Now, wherever I go, I feel like the hijab is protecting me and I believe that there is always some benefit in everything Islam asks us to do. I will also suggest other girls wear hijab and I am sure they will also feel a kind of peace in it.