Two sides to hijab hulla

The Karnataka head scarf-in-school row has taken a mind-bending political turn. Even as theologians debate the Arabisation of Islam in India, those at the centre of the debate stand fully divided

What is the hijab? I ask myself sitting on the fence of an issue that is close to my heart and home. An imaginary oppression or a tool of disempowerment; a personal choice or forced belief; a positive protector or problematic practice—there is no one strict interpretation of the word. The idealisation of it often puts women who choose not to wear it in a challenging position. As India sees worrying protests after a group of six Muslim students at a government-run women’s college was denied entry into their classrooms because the authorities claimed they were challenging rules of uniform by wearing the hijab, the world too, stands divided. 

Aliya A and Anah Shaikh

mid-day spoke to a Mumbai-based hijabi modest fashion blogger, who recently donated scarves from her modest wear brand to those who wish to wear it but can’t afford one, and an American activist of South Asian roots who lives in the States, and is an advocate for women’s rights, about what the hijab means to them.

Muslim women stage an agitation against Karnataka government and the BJP over the hijab row on February 10, 2022, in Pune. Pic/Getty Images

Feb 16
Date until which schools, colleges to remain shut in Karnataka as a precautionary measure, according to a revised government order dated Feb 11

‘It’s the hijab today, will be jeans tomorrow’

Anah Shaikh /// Hijabi modest fashion blogger

The hijab has been a part of my clothing choice since childhood. I never felt that I was wearing something additional. It’s me. I wasn’t forced to wear it either; it was entirely my choice. Wearing the hijab from an early age has a lot of benefits, according to Islam and scientifically too. It provides me the privacy that I need from evil eyes, while protecting me from the scorching sun, from dirt and pollution. On my blog, I generate positive content that my followers can relate to. They follow me to understand what makes up a modest lifestyle, which many may be unaware of. Through this, they learn of the different ways to wear the hijab, to keep it classy and trendy. They get to understand colour, fabric, length, and how to  accessorise with the hijab. This gives everyone who chooses the hijab, the confidence and power to choose how they want to dress. The styles I represent on my social media are hijab with cap, beanie, bandana, accessories, bucket hat, cowgirl hat. These styles are not just intended for hijabis; non-hijabis can try them too. My content doesn’t discriminate—it is for those who aspire to be fashionable but modest, where girls get an idea of how to pick their favourite go-to style, whether it is for college or a wedding. I often repost styling pictures shared by my followers to boost their confidence. It’s to help them feel okay in their skin.

It’s sad to see how the controversy is unfolding in Karnataka. Keeping aside the politics of hate, every girl has the right to wear whatever she wishes to: saree, salwar kameez, T-shirt and jeans, skirt or hijab. This situation can be resolved with love, peace, and understanding, but it is being being twisted out of context. My heart goes out to those who are being subjected to hatred—they are still in school and deserve better treatment. I appreciate that several non-Muslims are in the discussion. I want to say to them, thank you for looking beyond religion. I am confident that the judiciary will take the right decision.

For me, the hijab is my crown and I will wear it everywhere, just like the turban is for Sikhs. What the hijab is facing today, could be faced by the turban tomorrow, by jeans the day after. And just so you know, we cover our hair, not our brain.

‘It implies that the covered girl is a better human’

Aliya A /// Ex-Muslim atheist and women’s rights activist; founder of #EndChildMarriageUSA campaign

Being born in a practicing Muslim household, the hijab was put on me from the young age of seven right here in the United States, supposedly, the Free World. I hated it. It was de-humanising. It’s a free world indeed, where we have let Islamism creep into the fabric of Western society disguised as religious freedom under the umbrella of the cancerous Woke left ideology. Now, we see this cancer spread in India. 

The situation in Karnataka is a s*** show of bullies trying to creep into secular spaces with the Islamist agenda. I would say to secular India, do not let them bully you into destroying your beautiful country and whatever is left of its ancient culture. 

The situation with the burka is just the tip of the Islamist demand for submission of the “kafir” (non-believer). Do not submit. Do not normalise the hijab in your secular spaces. It is nothing but a tool of misogyny used to control girls and women. It’s oppressive and robs you of individual identity. It shames the uncovered girl and woman and becomes a barrier in living up to your full potential. It is a problematic practice that conveys the message, that the covered girl and woman is the better human, hence creating a division rather than unification among girls and women of non-practicing and/or non-Muslim heritage. 

Every child has the right to education. Let students be students in classrooms rather than symbols of religious misogyny and oppression. Indian schools have the right to regulate the dress code and students have the responsibility to adhere to it. Classrooms should remain spaces of learning, communication, friendship and finding common ground between different communities. The hijab separates. Banning the hijab in all forms in educational institutions promotes equality for all and a learning-focused culture without fear. 

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