Understanding the Hijab

                                                          By: Hannah Potter

I used to think that the word hijab was undeniably connected to other words such as oppression, radicals, fundamentalism, and persecution. Why would women want to be covered completely, turning into no more than a piece of cloth, losing any sense of individual identity? I pitied the women who in my simple mind were being controlled by fathers, brothers, and husbands. Living in the “free” world, I was astounded at the fact that the women were so marginalized in the current globalized world we lived in. In short time, I was realized my immense ignorance and began to realize my misunderstanding. Was I to blame for my ignorance? Yes and no. Growing up in rural North Carolina, I had never met and known a woman wearing a hijab, even though we travelled quite often.  My parents took me to a Middle Eastern restaurant in a neighboring city since I was young, but the subject of the hijab was one that never arose. My lack of interactions coupled with being surrounded by overly biased news media in post 9/11 America, I lacked exposure to the other side of the story. However, it took no more than a few books to realize that I was previously mistaken, and that women wearing the hijab were simply women, women who could not be labeled with overarching generalizations, and whose individual lives were simply that, individual and specific to each person.

My reading left me with further questions to understand the women, and their reasoning. I understood at that point that the decision to wearing the hijab was one that people make as a sacrifice to God as a symbol of their devotion. Even with this understanding, I was still not entirely convinced that I truly understood why the women would want to cover themselves, hiding themselves from the rest of the world. There were many questions that needed to be answered until I felt I could be truly accepting of these women. At that point, I respected that the women were making their own decision, but I would never dream of doing the same.

In August, 2009, I traveled to Egypt for six months in my senior year of high school. I lived with three extremely kind, generous, and loving host families in Harem and Mohandiseen, took Arabic lessons, and went to school at Misr Language School. This was a life-changing experience. I not only fell in love with the country, but more importantly the people that lived there. The people were some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Everyone I met was willing to help, welcoming, and overly hospitable. Those people are who inspired me to continue studying Arabic, the region, and the culture, so that I could return again someday. Aside from the newfound 7b or love, I also gained a new perspective on many issues, particularly the hijab.

I met many women and young ladies that wore the hijab.  Two of my host mothers wore it, and several of my new friends did as well. During Arabic class, our teacher would answer our constant questions about it, and her life with it, giving me more and more knowledge and understanding of it. I became to realize that when the comments in the West talking of the hijab as an oppressing tool of men, those same comments are just as oppressive if not more oppressing to the wearers of the hijab. Most women decide to wear the hijab on their own, and by saying it is oppressive is infringing that individual’s rights. Furthermore, I began to see the beauty of the hijab, and those who wear it. One day, I had the beautiful experience of a friend showing me her hair, which had been covered everyday from the rest of the world under her hijab. The beauty of her hair blew me away, and I gained a greater amount of respect of her than the high level I already had in her. All of a sudden, I understood. I can still distinctly remember the pure beauty of her and her hair. Let’s say, I had seen her hair every single day, would I have such a strong memory of her hair now? No, I would have noticed it the first time, and then taken it for granted every day after that. Aside from the beauty, wearers of the hijab appear to have much more respect for their bodies than most other women that I know. They know that they have something special, and that it is worth protecting. Being modest with their physical traits, the women are able to put forth their intellectual, emotional, and mental gifts without being judged otherwise. My experiences in Egypt created a huge amount of respect for the women that make the choice to wear the hijab, and a sense of envy for their tireless commitment and dedication to not only their faith, but to respecting themselves.

Since being back in America, I have furthered my study of the Middle East, particularly the women living there. Reading different sources, my view of the hijab has evolved even further. I recognize there are women who never had a choice, and do feel marginalized within society, feeling they have no individual voice. The voices of these women should be heard, but I also still hear the voice of those women who did and do choose. I have learned how the hijab can be a liberating force for women, creating a greater free space for them, without the looks or calls of men. It allows the women to be out of the house, making their own in work and school, and other arenas of life. It is a symbol to others of who they are, and whom they represent. Another role I have found in America, is constantly trying to defend the women who wear hijabs to others who may still be in the ignorance I once was in. There is still great misunderstanding about this issue, and I feel it is my responsibility to spread the experiences and knowledge that I have gained.

Reading this beautiful blog has furthered my understanding of those women who chose to put on the hijab. I feel as if I am opening a journal, and reading these women’s innermost thoughts. It deepens my knowledge of the process of transitioning to wearing a hijab, and the emotional journal that it entails. Several friends did express their stories about this deeply personal matter while I was in Egypt, but I feel so privileged to be able to read such a wide range of experiences and journeys through this blog. It has also been a great source to share with friends, so they can have a greater understanding as well. In conclusion, I am grateful for the opportunities and people I have met to have insight into the hijab, and it is a topic that is beautiful, mysterious, and enlightening. 

For the latest updates make sure to follow Hijabymo on Twitter: @Hijabymo