As a Muslim woman, Rida Hamida, a fourth-year history student,
wears her hijab for many reasons, but not because women are forced
to ““ a common misconception.
“I feel more focused wearing my hijab. I’m not
distracted by people when I wear it,” Hamida said, “I
feel protected.”
The hijab, an Islamic veil, is worn by women when out in
public.
“Modesty is the driving force and prescribed to protect
women from molestation. … Modesty is protection,” according
to a “Women in Scarves” booklet. “Thus, the only
purpose of the veil in Islam is protection.”
Based on Islamic tradition, once Muslim females reach puberty,
they should begin wearing the hijab.
“We should wear it, but we are not forced; it should be
something we love to do,” Hamida said.
Samina Khaliq, a fourth-year Arabic and political science
student who wears the hijab, said in the Muslim culture, there are
mothers who tell their daughters not to wear the hijab.
“It is a way that the mothers want their daughters to
break free from the traditions of (Muslim countries),” Khaliq
said.
Many mothers believe their daughters will have more
opportunities in education if they don’t wear it, Khaliq
added.
“On this campus … (Muslim) women have high
status,” said Mohamad Ahmed, a third-year economics student
and member of the Muslim Students Association, adding that the last
president of MSA was a woman.
“I don’t look at those who don’t wear the
hijab as less. The Quran looks at what’s in your heart; it
doesn’t judge,” Ahmed said, referring to the Islamic
religious text.
To those who wear it, the hijab serves as more than just a means
of covering.
“By covering your hair and figure, people start listening
to your voice … We are liberated from the chaos of how
we’re supposed to look,” Hamida said.
Stereotypes that the media has created, making women believe
that they should look a specific way, is one thing many Muslim
women feel they are able to escape.
“We are protected from being sexually harassed, from being
criticized as being overweight, from the (ideal) figure the media
represents,” Hamida said.
Ahmed explained that in the Muslim culture, men are also
expected to act with the same amount of modesty as women.
He added that men are expected to lower their eyes when a woman
passes them.
“Husbands are supposed to do everything, and thank the
women if they decide to do something out of compassion,”
Ahmed said, “There are no stereotypes if people read (the
Quran).”
He added that these points could at times go unnoticed even
among the members of the Muslim community.
In the Islamic religion, women are told to seek knowledge and
always be active.
“It is the opposite of just cleaning and cooking … We
help needy people (and) our neighbors,” Hamida said.
Hamida believes that the media’s stereotype of women
submitting to the control of men by wearing the hijab is completely
unfounded.
“We made sure that every Muslim woman in MSA was
registered to vote. … Our opinions do count,” Hamida
said.
Though erasing stereotypes that the media has created about
Muslim women is not yet a reality, Hamida wants to take on the
challenge.
“I never want to change my values and the way I am now.
… I feel I want to educate the public in what a hijab is. …
Women that wear the hijab in America love to wear (it). I’ve
never met a woman in America who didn’t choose.”