An Open Letter to Asra Q. Nomani and Hala Arafa

Dear Asra and Hala,

I’ve been digesting your recent article in the Washington Post for the past few days, trying to articulate all of my thoughts in the best possible way.

You ask that non-Muslims do not wear a headscarf as a form of solidarity. You believe that the hijab is a man-made product of culture and not a part of the faith.

I actually have many Muslim friends who believe this. That hijab is not directly commanded in the Quran. And I have other Muslims friends who believe that hijab is a requirement that they themselves choose not to follow right now. And I have other Muslim friends who believe that the hijab is a requirement and wear it every day — some with long, flowing dresses covering every inch, and others with fitted, rolled up jeans and long, 3/4 sleeve shirts (like me).

The beauty of our existence as human beings is that we have the power to choose. If God wanted us all to obey Him the same way, He would have created us as mindless, will-less creatures. But instead, He created us with the ability to make our own choices.

I CHOOSE to wear my hijab. I use the present tense of the word because it is a decision that I have to make again and again every day. And some days it’s easier to make that choice than others.

No matter what your views on hijab, I expect that you respect this choice as fellow Muslim women. To respect my struggle. To acknowledge that every day I wear a symbol on my body that clearly distinguishes me as Muslim, and that sometimes this makes me a target. To understand that I have to always be “on”, even when I’m having a bad day, because I feel like I constantly have to combat stereotypes. The hijab comes with a huge load of responsibility, one that many realize they are unable to bear. And yet you don’t honor any of that.

Instead, you put down your Muslim sisters by telling the world that the foundation of our beliefs is false. That the hijab is “an ideology of political Islam” funded by the mullahs of Iran, Saudi Arabia, the Taliban, and the Islamic State. Not only do you fail to recognize my struggle, you belittle my intelligence by suggesting that I am not a free thinker — that I am a simple, blind follower of a foolish, sexist, “Islamist” (really, you had to use that word?) notion. That I am oppressed.

In a post-9/11 world, things are hard enough on me as a hijab-wearing Muslim. I already have talking heads in the media associating with me ISIS. I’ve already been told, “you don’t have to wear that here, honey. Women have freedom in America.” And yet now you’ve taken it upon yourself to support the stereotype that I am both misguided and oppressed.

This article is written in the same Islamophobic tone that I wake up wondering if I will face everyday. You echo the sentiments of Trump and the likes of him.

In your article, you ask non-Muslim women not to wear the hijab as a form of solidarity. Yet as a hijab-wearing Muslim woman, I kindly ask that you both sit down. Unlike you, these women acknowledge my struggle. They realize that wearing hijab makes me a target and support me in a very difficult time — and some of them, like Larycia Hawkins, are risking a lot when they do. You have absolutely no right to discourage them from standing with me. You may not find this form of support worthy of your cause, but I DO.

As a hijab-wearing Muslim woman, a free thinker, and a feminist, I respect you and your decision not to wear the hijab. So don’t disrespect me and MY decision to wear it.

With love, 
Zeena Alkurdi