Learn about the misconceptions surrounding a Muslim woman’s hijab and the other types of headdresses that a Muslim woman might wear.
Edited by Jordan Guzzi
Despite the limitations of COVID-19, Muslims all around the world recently celebrated a socially-distanced Eid-Al-Adha, and a few months prior, Eid-Al-Fitr. Muslims tend to receive the same questions each year: What’s that thing you’re wearing on your head? Why are there two Eids? Do you really not eat for a whole month during Ramadan— and maybe the most bothersome— you can’t even drink water while fasting? Nope, not even water. These questions come with misconceptions, like the “thing” that Muslim women wear on their heads, otherwise known as a hijab, is oppressive, or that women do not have rights in Islam. The notion that all Muslim women wear the hijab is a misconception in itself. Yes, many Muslim women do wear the hijab, but those aren’t the only headdresses that exist. The hijab is a scarf that covers the hair and is the most commonly worn headdress among Muslim women. While the hijab might represent a conservative attitude for some, many Muslims wear the hijab to not only display their religious identity but also their individuality. In Western culture, ‘hijabi street fashion’ is starting to gain popularity, with small businesses selling an assortment of colorful and patterned hijabs for girls to wear.
Besides the hijab, there is the khimar, which covers not only the hair but also the neck and shoulders. The niqab, a veil that covers the full body and face, leaves only the eyes uncovered. The niqab is often confused with the burqa, which covers the entire body and face, including the eyes. The niqab is mostly worn in Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates, while the burqa is common in Pakistan and Afghanistan. A chador is like a full-body cloak and is associated with Iran. Muslim women from the Bohra religion also wear colorful rida dresses (a hooded top with a long skirt that covers the full body and leaves the face open) once they come of age.
Non-Muslims often assume that the hijab and other headdresses are forced upon women and dismiss Islam as an intolerant and hateful religion. Many of these stereotypes arose from the occurrence of 9/11, but others simply stem from ignorance. If one were to look at the history of other religions, they would find that those religions all include modest clothing and headwear. Early Christian traditions viewed wearing chapel veils as a sign of modesty and humility. For Orthodox Jews, women should only show their hair to their husbands in private, and they should both dress modestly. Sikh men and women wear the dastar (a turban) as a representation of honor and self-respect. Similarly, the hijab represents a woman’s submission to her creator, Allah, and submission of her vanity. Of course, many Muslim women do not wear the hijab or other religious attire at all. Many believe that the hijab is not mandatory, and the woman has a choice in whether or not she wants to wear it.
Although wearing the hijab may be a choice, it is solely the choice of the woman who wears it. In other words, she chooses the way she wants to wear and style it. Some Muslim women prefer to wear their scarves tightly and show no hair at all, while some wear theirs loose and show part of their head. The girls who wear their hijabs more loosely tend to receive more criticism from other Muslims, known in Western culture as the “haram* police”. Whatever your beliefs are in wearing the hijab, it is incredibly disrespectful to pressure a girl into not wearing one. The hijab is worn as a display of modesty and to ensure that males outside of the woman’s immediate family do not see her hair. In many hate crimes against Muslims, their hijabs were pulled off their heads. When this happens, they are not only physically harmed, but the entire cultural and religious significance of the hijab is ignored. It can also become a mental struggle. Even though many non-Muslims believe that the hijab is forced, the only country that requires women to wear a hijab or other sorts of headwear is Iran. In stark contrast, 20 countries have banned the hijab.
When discussing religious clothing and beliefs, it is important to ask a few questions before saying anything: Is it my place to make any judgments here? Have I done my research or am I educated enough to comment on this topic? Am I being respectful?
And when it comes to discussing Muslim women, it is important to remember that they are not damsels in distress. Muslim women are not oppressed or suppressed in any way because they wear hijab or other types of headwear.
Instead of viewing the hijab as a restriction, it should be seen as a liberation.
*haram: forbidden or proscribed by Islamic law
*mosque: a Muslim place of worship, also referred to as a masjid by Muslims
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