The Hijab

Why don’t you wear a hijab?

I wear the hijab on specific occasions: upon entering the masjid; when visiting a Muslim friend’s home; while teaching at an Islamic school; as a student in an Arabic classroom; and as a symbol of humility during the prayer ritual.

The Controversy of Hijab

The style in which the hijab is worn marks a cultural difference among Muslim women, based on which country she is from. The ways in which the fabric is wrapped, layered and pinned distinguishes status, wealth, culture, fashion, and piety. With the “anything goes” freedom of fashion expression and blending in with western styles, the hijab has been misrepresented of its original intention of religious modesty, insofar as some young women reveal their cleavage or pierced navel while wearing the head scarf. The controversy of how to wear the hijab moves through Muslim communities and families, as well as global media and political realms. But Muslims are not the only religious group to wear a head covering, as Christians, Mennonites, Amish, Hindu, Sikhs, Orthodox Jews, Catholics, and even Royalty are recognized to cover their heads.

The hijab is the most significant identifier for Muslim women anywhere in the world. When I first converted, I wondered if I could embrace this custom, by researching how to wear the hijab, and came to the sweeping conclusion that it was a fashion accessory based on the way women wore it to match their clothing. These were fashion photographs I was seeing, so this perspective was short-sighted. The hijab also reminded me of my Catholic upbringing of the habit worn by nuns, and since I was not joining a convent, I didn’t feel it necessary, or comfortable, to make a bold public religious statement.

As I continued to observe Islam, I discovered that the hijab is a religious, political, cultural, as well as a highly personal expression of Islam for women. Since my reasons for wearing or not wearing the hijab were personal, I struggled with joining my new sisters in faith in a way that would be both respectful for the religious tradition, but also in such a way where I would feel confident in my own choice not to wear it as a new Muslim. I had never been politically inclined, or apt to discriminate based on religion, so I stayed clear of anything to do with media hype.

It’s true, at times when I “tried on” the hijab in front of family, at work, or people I knew, the remarks or comments were difficult for me to address in an assertive way.

“You can’t be a Muslim, you are white.”

“How long are you going to wear that thing for?”

“You look like some kind of creature.”

“Ha, ha, ha, ha…”

It was just easier for others if I didn’t disclose my religion by wearing the hijab, and it was easier for me, since it was not a part of my own culture. As a result, I decided to wear the hijab when associating with other Muslims: to respect their culture, customs, and in some instances, it was the policy of an institution; as a mutual understanding; and to identify with the honour behind wearing the hijab.

Post Script: I learned recently that hijab is not only the head scarf, but the modest covering of the entire body. Some women wear the head scarf, while wearing jeans that reveal a thong when they bend over. From the religious perspective of Islam, this is an example of what is not hijab.