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.
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