The Attack on Hijab: It’s giving very much obsessed !

Hijab in Arabic literally means to cover and/or a barrier. The scarf that Muslim women used to cover their hair is called a khimar, shayla, niqab, burqa etc.. The reason why most people say hijab is because khimars, niqabs, burqas and shaylas are apart of it. The clothes that a muslim man or woman chooses to wear is also apart of hijab. The way a Muslim man or woman chooses to speak is apart of his/her hijab. The intentions and treatments made towards others is apart of hijab. Technicality of what hijab is and the semantics of it isn’t the issue here. The forceful removal of choice from a Muslim man or woman to wear hijab is.

There are a few places in the Qur’an that address hijab for both men and women. Today’s focus is on women because women’s rights are being violated. SURAH 33: ayat 59 in the Qur’an states, “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognised and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.” (Quran 33:59). Everyone interprets that differently. However, we have individual brains and should be able to use for ourselves. The right of Muslim women being able to interpret hijab and it’s implementation in their lives should not be dictated by patriarchal and/or societal norms.



Photo: Al Jazeera

https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2022/1/19/french-senators-vote-to-ban-the-hijab-in-sports-competitions



Photo: Arabia vogue

https://en.vogue.me/culture/french-senate-votes-hijab-ban/amp/

French Senate Votes to Ban the Hijab for Muslim Women Under the Age of 18 as reported by Arabia vogue back in April of 2021. The latest attack on Muslim women’s-rights in France happened in January of 2022. French senators vote to ban hijab in sports competitions as reported by Al Jazeera.



Photo: BBC News

https://youtu.be/_lXFmje8sms



The politicization of Hijab in India is abominable and a direct attack and suppression of human rights, more specifically women’s rights. This results in a unnecessary divide amongst Indian citizens and the world at large. Islam like any other religion has a way of life in which people who practice it should live by.



Photo: BBC news

Uyghur Muslims in China facing genocide for simply choosing to practice Islam.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-22278037.amp

2017,2018 and 2019 old me. A lot has changed but some things stayed the same. My mentality towards hijab was completely different than how it is today. Islam is a journey, not a destination. When you know better, you do and act better. Decisions I’ve made regarding hijab are ones that I’ve made on my own based on objective information ( for me that is the Qur’an and sunnah of the prophet SAW).

When I meet people for the first time, I sometimes refer to myself as a revert. I’ve never left the fold of Islam (Alhamdulilah). However, I decided to succeed in hijab and Islam in March of 2016. There comes a point in life when you question whether or not you’re doing things because you believe it or because you’ve been raised that way. That’s why I refer to myself as a revert at times. Because I chose Islam in 2016 and have never regretted my decision or looked back since. Allahou SWT truly guides who he wills. Guess what? I continuously need that guidance everyday. I am by no means a perfect Muslim. However, I shouldn’t settle for mediocrity in worldly affairs let alone my faith!

To my sisters who are struggling with hijab, I’m with you. To my sisters whose rights are being violated, I’m standing in solidarity with you. To the beautiful non-Muslims who will read this, this is a human rights issue. To be silent is to be complicit in the act of those being oppressed.

Those were the thoughts of a black Muslim woman.

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