Articles 25-28 of the Constitution of India professes the freedom of practicing and peacefully promoting one’s religion, there is no State religion and the State is required to treat all religions impartially and neutrally.

I grew up in a small Indian town where there was a lot of diversity, religious tolerance and communal harmony. This is not the India I knew and grew up in, where religious shouts such as “Jai Shree Ram” are hurled at a single Burqa-clad girl walking to her college, where such words are used to intimidate her into removing her hijab, where Ram is a symbol of patience, endurance and righteousness?

In the last few days, we have come to recognize 19-year-old Muskan Khan, from Karnataka, India, who showed no fear when she was freckled by a visibly violent right-wing anti-hijab mob. People across the world are standing in solidarity with her and applauding her courage, as seen by social media posts about her. She defies the stereotype of hijabi girls as being weak, oppressed and uneducated.

In an interview with a news channel, she said she has the right to education and to wear whatever she wants because of the country’s laws. “They’re keeping us from studying because of a piece of cloth, Sir,” she added, indicating her headscarf.

For a little while, the words hung in front of my eyes before piercing my heart. I noticed legitimate anger and immense strength on Muskan’s face; people now know her as the lioness that roared her way through the bullying group. This group was stopping girls from entering their colleges because a handful of individuals dislike the hijab. I couldn’t help, but think, How cruel is that and what does one call this: racism, discrimination, hatred, injustice, just plain bad luck or all the above? What is the definition of oppression when one accuses another of being forced to wear the hijab and then, forces them to remove it?

Women in India and around the world are denied their fundamental human right to dress modestly in accordance with their religion because they do not meet the country’s recent secularism requirements.

Isn’t it clear that the hijab was never the issue? It was always about a certain faith and your apprehension about it. This is called, “Islamophobia.” To all those who are “Islamophobic,” now that you’ve identified the core of your issue, address your personal fears in a more productive and peaceful manner rather than taunting random girls in hijab who only wish for an education, also their right as citizens of India.

About the Author

Sana Khan is a Motivational Speaker, Writer and Coach. Moreover, Khan has attained her engineering degree from Shobhit Institute of Engineering and Technology (now a Deemed University) and Dr. APJ Abdul Kamal University (former UPTU) in India. She has an MA in International Business from EAE Business School in Barcelona Spain and UPC Catalunya, Spain. Khan has recently written a motivational eBook entitled, “Dreamcatcher Framework.” She has also co-authored a spiritual anthology called, “Pause and Pen.” When she is not reading or writing, she prefers to nature-walk or sip coffee with her husband and son in Belgium.

Website: www.talkwithsana.com
YouTube and Facebook @TalkwithSana
Instagram @Sanakrblogs

The post What Should We Call this Attack on Hijabis in India? appeared first on World Hijab Day.

People ask me why do I wear Hijab, my simple answer is – one I want people to see my true beauty rather than focusing on false diminishing worldly beauty. Two – I don’t believe in showoff but prefer being a pearl hidden in a shell, lying deep down beneath the ocean. Three – hijaab is my identity, I can wear jazzy clothes but I chose to live a simple life for it showcases my religion/belief.

Assumptions: People look at me with an amaze in their eyes ( good/bad/strange/old fashioned/alien from other planet/oppressed/yeah terrorist too). No, apart from the first point mentioned none of them are correct. I love being fashionable and I’m very much aliened with the current fashion trends. No, I’m not oppressed and no one enforced hijab on me, but I chose it cause I love it. Do not know about alien from other planet but would like to be considered as an angel. (Joking)

Experiences: I have observed the security team checking my bag twice for me just wearing the hijaab, but I have always observed patience with them thinking one day they will realize and will treat me normally. If compared before and after Hijaab, I have seen flirty men don’t stare at me anymore, many changed their perspective. I have noticed respect in many stares and everyone demands respect.

God: Beyond being everything said, it’s a sign of my submission to my Master/Lord. I’m in love with my creator for thy has created the good, the bad and then guided His creation to protect themselves and others from the evil start – the start could be a single gaze. No this is not an introvert thought but a deep subject to explore. I have experienced and would say hijab is a shield that covers from lustful gaze:

“O Prophet! Say to your wives, your daughters, and the women of the believers that: they should let down upon themselves their jalabib.” [Quran 33:59]

“…and not display their beauty except what is apparent, and they should place their khumur over their bosoms…” [Quran 23:31]

Hijab is necessary not just restricted to clothing but one should observe hijab in the way you communicate, choice of words, and observe hijab in your actions.

The post Hijab – Reasons, Assumptions and Experiences appeared first on World Hijab Day.

As an outspoken feminist, I really had strong opinions about wearing a hijab. I felt like it was oppressive. I felt like women lost their identity when wearing a hijab. I was clearly wrong. I truly was ill educated in this matter until a very special person explained the beauty behind the hijab recently.

I learned that wearing a hijab does give you an identity. It gives you a voice. It demands that people respect you for your mind and not your body. I feel free and strong today as I wear this. As women, we choose to wear the hijab and I am so inspired by all of you ladies. Sending tons of love and light to each one of you.

The post Feminist: “I was wrong about Hijab” appeared first on World Hijab Day.