Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
Most people would think that it is discrimination if a woman has to wear the hijab, but it is my choice, and I think that is the most important thing, isn't it?
Most people would think that it is discrimination if a woman has to wear the hijab, but it is my choice, and I think that is the most important thing, isn’t it?
When I started wearing the hijab, I used to get a lot of weird questions.
Once in my boarding school, a girl suddenly asked, ‘Are you having a bad hair day?’ For a minute, I did not understand what she meant. I said, ‘Nope!’ She then continued, ‘Ohh, so you have lice then?’ My mom checks for that all the time and that was so annoying. I laughed and replied, ‘Huh, I doubt that.’ She did not stop there. ‘Er, is it very cold for you?’ I wondered when was it so cold in my locality? I was like, ‘Why would you ask that?’ Only then she pointed my long flowing headscarf and asked, ‘Then why do you wear that on your head?’
That was during my school days and the questions haven’t stopped yet. Whenever I meet new people, believe me, I am faced with plenty of ‘curious’ questions. Mostly, the conversation starter is my dress code. ‘What are you wearing? Do you wear it all the time, even when you sleep? Are you wearing it by force? Don’t you feel oppressed? Why do you have to wear it when women are liberated today?’
I am today’s woman too. I go out. I enjoy movies. I love shopping. I read books. I gobble cakes. I worry about my weight, yet I don’t follow my diet. I am a girl who wants to make a difference as much as you do.
Once on a train journey to my hometown, I met an Australian couple. It was quite an interesting rendezvous with them. They were also keen to know about my headscarf. The headscarf, called the hijab, is a sign of modesty. Hijab doesn’t mean simply wearing the black burqa but there is more to it. The word hijab is the Arabic word, which means to conceal. In Holy Quran, God asks men and women to observe their modesty for their own benefits. Not only it is intended to cover the hair but the body, mind and soul.
Having grown up in a Muslim household, many things were just handed over to me. And being raised in such a community, I never questioned them. Naturally it becomes my way of life. I am comfortable with what I was given and the hijab was one of them. I literally grew up in it. My dress code gives me freedom and comfort. Covering my head has never been a challenge for me because it has always been a part of my wardrobe. It is as normal as choosing a skirt and a top. Now a hijab becomes a fashion statement too.
In a hijab, I am identified as a woman who practices Islam. I take pride knowing that many of you can identify me as a Muslim as soon as you see me, simply by the way I dress. Even non Muslims greet me with ‘Assalamu Alaikum!’.
Besides that, the hijab saves me from society’s expectation on objectification of what women should look like. My hijab has freed me from such unnecessary expectations and gives me the power to say out loud – I am much more than what you physically see.
The hijab keeps me liberated. On a funny note, yeah, I don’t even have to worry about my messy hair when I am in hurry. True that I worry less about my hair-do and makeup. But that doesn’t mean I put no effort to make myself presentable. We women naturally like to be beautiful. There’s nothing wrong with that. The problem comes when the appearance is put above all the other characteristics that women possess. My hijab makes me an individual who wants to be recognized based on personality and not by looks.
Nowadays, wearing minimal has become a part of women’s liberation. I too have my own definition for liberty and self respect. If your choice is to wear sleeveless and stilettos, why can’t I choose to be in my scarf? When I am in hijab, I feel so much more in control. I do care about my appearance and love to dress up, but then I have the freedom to choose how much of myself I reveal to the public. I’m glad I stopped seeing myself through others’ gaze but through the love of God who values both men and women equally for their good deeds and not for their beauty.
Well, to answer all the questions. No, I don’t have lice and I don’t wear it when I sleep. And yeah, sometimes I do have my bad hair days and sometimes hijab helps me when the weather is cool. But contrary to the popular belief, the hijab is neither an oppression nor inferiority. In fact, it implies power to women.
Hijab is my choice. It becomes my identity. I am not forced to stay in the veil but I choose to wear it, as an expression of my beliefs and my appearance, to what’s written in the Quran about feminine, modesty and humility.
In a hijab, honestly, I feel blessed.
Published here earlier.
Image source: pixabay
Lifestyle Blogger. Photography Enthusiast. Creative Writer. Foodie. Brand Promoter. Book Reviewer. Travel Lover. And A Proud Hijabi. read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
Please enter your email address