The hijab is a sign of modesty that Muslim women have fought to wear for centuries. Today, I will  discuss the historical political battles that Muslims endured  and the significant impact they had on the freedoms women enjoy or are denied today. Even if you are not a Muslim, I still recommend you read this as it addresses attacks on the freedom of women, not just about Muslims.

Turkey

In 1923, when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded the Turkish Republic, he introduced strict secular policies, such as banning the hijab in public institutions. This is to modernize the country and distancing it from Ottoman Islamic tradition. Thus, the Turkish government presented Muslim women in Turkey with a decision that weighed their religious beliefs against their participation in public life.

The tide turned in the early 2000s, as political parties with a more Islamic orientation, like the Justice and Development Party (AKP), gained power. Women fought years of legal battles and protests until Turkey finally lifted its ban on hijabs in universities in 2008. In 2013, the government also abolished the prohibition on hijabs in public sector jobs. These legal changes all occurred within 20 years following a long history of discrimination, highlighting how Islamophobia is a prevalent issue even in today’s society.

Germany

Similar to Turkey, Germany enforced a ban on women  wearing hijabs in professions  such as teaching, policing, the judiciary, and other jobs in public office on the grounds that it was necessary to maintain state neutrality. Thankfully, Germany’s Federal  Constitutional Court deemed this unconstitutional in 2015, although the issue remains a point of contention. Hence, this decision did not bring complete freedom for Muslim women. Even today, hijab-wearing women may still face unfair treatment and dismissal based on religious bias accusations. Something that is rarely applied to followers of other religions.

Canada, France and Other European Countries

Several countries, including France, Belgium, Kosovo, and parts of Canada, opted for banning the wearing of the veil (hijab) and all other visible religious symbols in certain public institutions, including schools. Such restrictions, like the French law banning religious symbols in public schools, enacted in 2004, have been justified through the principle of secularism, which seeks to keep religion separate from the state. This kind of law, I believe, seems unjust, as humans deserve the fundamental right to freedom of expression and religion. This policy disproportionately affects Muslim women as it forces them to reveal parts of their bodies, making them uncomfortable. I understand how some may argue that such an action ensures equality, which aims to prevent religious differences from dividing the population. But shouldn’t school celebrate everyone’s differences instead of forcing everyone to be the same? This raises questions about whether the policy is truly about equality, or whether it reflects underlying Islamophobia and sexism.

In conclusion, women have fought in many countries for the right to be modest and conservative. It is essential that we remember these struggles so as not to repeat past injustices. In Turkey, women struggle to wear the hijab, while in France and Canada, authorities compel them to remove it. Both situations deprive women of their right to choose and control their own bodies.

While much of the debate is framed around secularism and public order, the central issue across these cases is women’s autonomy. The problem often goes unnoticed when the media solely focuses on countries like Afghanistan and others that mandate the hijab, while ignoring countries where it outlaws it. See how there is no outrage when governments prohibit women from wearing them?

My  message to women around the world is to support each other.  This is the reason I became a member of the World Hijab Day Organization, which advocates for the freedom to choose without fear of facing discrimination or coercion. This  is my first article with them, and I hope it found a place in your thoughts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

As an experienced Muslim writer, Sanaa Chowdhury is passionate about addressing the political, social, and economic challenges facing the Islamic world. Through her work, she aims to raise awareness and spark meaningful conversations about the issues impacting Muslims globally. Every day, she strives to inspire change and foster understanding, knowing that with the support of her audience: “Together we can make a positive and lasting impact.”

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Yusuf Dikec, the Turkish shooter who totally stole the spotlight at the 2024 Olympics and became a social media sensation, is unforgettable. He nailed the 10m air pistol mixed team event with his teammate, Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, while wearing regular glasses and standing very nonchalantly, with one hand tucked in his pocket. Fans loved his chill vibe so much that they began editing him into movie scenes and creating internet memes. Plus, at age 51, he became Turkey’s oldest Olympic medallist. He secured a silver medal with his exceptional marksmanship, marking Turkey’s first Olympic achievement in the shooting.

What caught my attention, though, was an article by Koray Erdogan in Turkiye Today published on August 26, 2024. In it, Erdogan discussed how Dikec sparked a social media storm after sharing a photo with his mother, captioned “My Most Precious.” The image featuring his mother in a headscarf drew criticism from users who felt it was embarrassing for Turkey. Imagine how social media turned a personal moment into a national conversation, highlighting the cultural and ideological divides within the country.

Yusuf Dikec’s photo touches on several cultural debates in Turkey, reflecting the country’s ongoing journey to balance its rich cultural heritage with the demands of a modern, globalized world. Such discussions include the role of religion in public life, and the influence of religious beliefs on both education and politics. Turkey has a strong tradition of secularism, as established by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Some secularists view religious symbols, such as hijab, as challenges to these secular principles. Dikec’s photo may have been seen as promoting religious expression in a public and influential space.

Conversely, a segment of the population advocates for a more Westernized image of Turkey, viewing the hijab as a symbol of traditionalism that they believe should be minimized in public life. The hijab has been a contentious issue in Turkey for decades, with various bans and restrictions on public institutions since the 1980s, including a full prohibition after the 1997 military coup, which was lifted in 2013. (Bajec) The historical context adds a layer of sensitivity to any public display of the hijab, making it a flashpoint for cultural and ideological conflict. Critics may have worried that the photo contradicted the image they wanted to project internationally, fearing that it could reinforce stereotypes about the country.

Despite this backlash, Dikec stood firm, expressing his love for his mother and country. His display of affection aligns with the Islamic principle of honoring one’s parents, particularly their mothers. He further dismissed criticism of his mother’s hijab by referring to Ataturk’s mother, Zubeyde Hanim, and questioning the difference. He underscores the deep-rooted cultural significance of headscarves in Turkish history. This act of connecting personal family values with national history highlights the role of the family in preserving cultural traditions, a key aspect of Islamic teachings.

His message resonated deeply and delivered a powerful message of love and unity. He emphasized that those who were ashamed of their mothers were also ashamed of their country. This incident underscored the ongoing cultural debates in Türkey, but Dikec handled them with grace and pride. In essence, Dikec’s relationship with his mother is a powerful example of how Islamic teachings about family and motherhood manifest in real life. As he said, “May God never let the youth of this country lose their love for their mothers and their homeland.” His mother’s hijab symbolizes love, respect, and cultural pride, thus adding depth to his public image.

Yusuf Dikec is truly an icon to be celebrated who shows us that sometimes a silver medal and a touching moment can spark a significant conversation, proving that values matter just as much as victories.

REFERENCES:

Edrogan, K. (2024, August 26). Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec’s photo with his mom triggers culture wars in Türkiye. Türkiye Today. www.turkiyetoday.com/lifestyle/turkish-shooter-yusuf-dikec-45179.

Bajec, A. (2023, May 12). Turkey’s opposition opens up to the hijab | Election News| Al Jazeera. Aljazeera.com. https://aje.io/94j2h9

MEE and agencies (2021, July 18) Turkey condemns EU court ruling on hijab ban as violation of freedoms | Middle East Eye. middleeasteye.net https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-hijab-condemns-eu-court-ruling-ban-violation-freedoms

Schwager-Patel, N. (2024, August 10). Yusuf Dikec: Türkiye’s Olympic “silver” shooter unveils the story behind his viral pose at Paris 2024. Olympics.com. https://olympics.com/en/news/paris-2024-turkiye-shooting-yusuf-dikec-medal-pose?uxreference=seealso

Smith, R. (2013, October 12) Why Turkey Lifted Its Ban on the Islamic Headscarf | National Geographic. nationalgeographic.com https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/131011-hijab-ban-turkey-islamic-headscarf-ataturk

Hirani, A. (2021, July 18). Keep the Faith: Islam and motherhood — removing the rose-colored glasses | Lifestyle | Telegram and Gazette. telegram.com https://www.telegram.com/story/lifestyle/2021/07/17/keep-faith-how-islam-values-and-validates-motherhood/7965613002/

Ul Huda, K. (2024, May 16) The Family in Islam: A Pillar of Strength and Unity |  Islamicity. islamicity.org   https://www.islamicity.org/101697/the-family-in-islam-a-pillar-of-strength-and-unity/

Burke, M. (2024, August 2). Turkish sharpshooter Yusuf Dikeç wins silver at Paris Olympics with minimal gear, becomes internet sensation | NBC News. nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/sharpshooter-yusuf-dikec-silver-olympics-minimal-gear-internet-sensati-rcna164685.

SportzConnect. (2024, August 2). Yusuf Dikec Becomes Internet Sensation | Paris Olympics [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx1wftkcReI

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Famidah Dirampaten is the Assistant Editor for the World Hijab Day Organization. She is also a candidate for the Master of Arts in Religious Studies with concentrations in Interfaith Peace Building and Nonprofit Leadership at the Unification Theological Seminary in New York. She is currently based in Doha, Qatar. Instagram@famidz

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