Isn’t it odd that people tend to have a lot of opinions about and police what women wear? It’s almost as if it’s a distraction tactic to take attention and resources away from solving actual problems in the world. Also, it’s nothing more than exhibiting power over groups of people, and taking away their autonomy. In the same week we saw the EU legislate that hijabs can be banned in the workforce, the Norwegian women’s volleyball team were slapped with a fine for not playing in bikini bottoms. How can you champion women’s rights, but then also create barriers for them to have access to education, work, and sport? When German female gymnasts opted for full body leotards during this year’s Olympics, and praised for their decision, I couldn’t but help but think of how Muslim women who choose to cover themselves aren’t afforded the same treatment.

I understand that these laws and legislations are coming from a place of promoting secularism, to fight against the rise of extremism. However, I can’t help but note the glaring disparity in the treatment of Muslim women. I am also not entirely sure how someone choosing to wear their religious attire is seen as promoting extremism. If we can agree that seeing a nun in public isn’t considered as her pushing her ideologies down our throats, I fail to see how this is applicable to others. Make it make sense to me, please. The opposite is also true: women shouldn’t be forced to cover up to be considered acceptable in society. Frankly, if you disagree with me… I don’t care. A person’s worth is not, and should not, be measured by what they wear.

I’ve worn the scarf for almost a decade now. It was always something I wanted to do. On January 1st 2012, with the help of a friend, I stepped out into public as a hijabi. My first interaction in public that day was a woman accosting me at a McDonald’s parking lot, calling me a “towelhead.” Since then, I’ve had people verbally harrass me on public transport, and have even been groped when out with friends or my husband. Fast forward to July 1st 2021, where I’ve had to make the difficult decision to take off my scarf due to persistent health issues. One of my first interactions in public was a man ogling my breasts… as a 7 month pregnant woman… walking in the mall whilst holding my husband’s hand. My point is, it didn’t matter what I wore. It certainly wasn’t seen as me pushing my ideologies on anyone, nor was it seen as a deterrent for them to attack me.

So why do we care so much about what women wear or don’t wear? Why do we place so much importance on dictating on what women should or shouldn’t wear? Why do we fail to educate people instead?

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Our Facebook fans shared the following sentiments regarding the ECJ’s ruling:

“If only they saw increased drug use as a bigger problem than hijab.
If only the saw domestic violence as a bigger issue than hijab.
If only they saw rape and murder as a bigger problem than hijab.
If they only saw mass bombings of nations as a bigger problem than hijab.”-Sabrin Saeid

“Now women must choose between God and supporting their families or expanding their own horizons…which means that they’re forced into the same stay at home model that these people claim to want to get them out of if they want to practice their religion.” -Zeynab Kenney

“Symantics. The ruling says “any” but I would be terribly surprised if any person was confronted with this ruling over a cross on a chain or a Kabala red knot. This is a sneaky way to work in discrimination…..”-Cami Peacock

“This is one if the most undignified act ever. I can’t believe this. Where is our freedom as women??? The hijab cover the head not the brain.” -Kadijah Bah

“It’s been clear for a while that Muslims are being scapegoated and targeted for the deep systemic problems that have metastasized over the years in the Western corrupt and decrepit system of governance.”-Fitzegerald Mistral

“Yes, let’s free these women from “oppression” by making it impossible for them to make a living.”-@Jenstrikesagain

The post If only they saw rape and murder as a bigger problem than hijab appeared first on World Hijab Day.