Yesterday, I was sent out to cover a story for USF.edu, the University of South Florida’s homepage. As a news writer for university communications and marketing, it is my responsibility to find stories that highlight what students are doing- trends, activities, extracurriculars. I can write about students through the eyes of a student and show perspective that only someone my age can tell.
In this case, a thin veil existed between me and a certain perspective- literally. The event was “Hijab 101” and the challenge was to wear the Muslim female headscarf- a hijab- from the time the event started around noon until 9 p.m. that night when the panel of speakers finished.
As a nonreligious but Christian-raised 21-year-old female, the hijab is a completely foreign concept to me, even though USF has a large population of Muslim students, many of them my friends. It was easy for me to see the person behead the head covering but I never really thought to ask why they wear it.
Are Muslim women oppressed? Lacking liberation? Forced to wear them by controlling husbands? These are questions that many people have about the hijab, questions that the event put on by USF Sisters United Muslim Association (SUMA) sought to answer.
The hijab stands for modesty, both physically and figuratively. We were taught that Muslim women choose to wear the hijab at the age of maturity. It is an extension of one’s personal relationship with God. One student likened it to a Christian going to church. You can still be Christian and not go to church, just as you can be Muslim and not wear the hijab. But how much effort do you want to put into your faith?
The speaker panel was fascinating, as three women and one man discussed how the hijab frees women from the pressures of society to be beautiful and sexual and allows her to save that for her husband. Also, the hijab does not have to be worn in the presence of male relatives and girl friends. Perhaps most importantly, no one forces Muslim women to wear hijabs. It is a personal choice- a matter of women’s rights and individual rights- to HAVE THE CHOICE to wear a hijab. The same first amendment that gives me the right to have a tattoo and not go to church gives them the same right to attend mosque and wear a hijab.
My own experience wearing the hijab (a bright pink one for Her Campus!) was relatively positive. Most of the people who knew me on campus questioned whether I had converted, some just laughed and rolled their eyes, thinking I was trying to draw attention to myself. Only one woman passing out fliers gave them to students in front of and behind me with bubbly hellos but averted her gaze and turned away when I walked past her. I was itchy, hot and irritated by her ignorance.
Mostly though, I got words of encouragement from other students glad I was trying to learn from my experience and dispel stereotypes. Wearing the hijab was a conversation starter, a segue into teaching others what I had learned.
After the event ended, two of the girls I spoke to who had also worn hijabs all day described themselves as being “socially naked” even though they covered up more skin than they usually did. It sounds odd but makes perfect sense after a day of wearing it. Wearing the hijab forces people to see you for who you are, instead of for boobs, your weight, your legs- you name it. In high school, I hid behind fishnets, spiked hair and black makeup. In college, a lot of girls hide their personalities and lack of confidence behind pretty makeup and well-shaped bodies, letting their looks talk for them instead of truly being who they are.
I won’t be converting to Islam anytime soon, nor would I choose the loose-fitting clothing and hijab as my daily wear, but I have a better understanding of the religion and a better appreciation of my Muslim friends at school- beautiful, talented and intelligent girls who are not afraid to be themselves.
And I know all this without even knowing what their hair looks like.
