MY HIJAB. MY MORAL COMPASS
London University, 1987. Students converged from far-flung parts of Britain and the world. Some had never seen a brown-skinned person before, let alone one in a headscarf.
All the Muslims living in London were tucked away in suburban pockets; there were only a handful on my campus.
I was the only one who wore the hijab. So there were lots of questions, and it fell upon me to answer them. I had to explain to others what my motives were. Why was I covering up, when all around me were revelling in their youth?
Why are you wearing that?
What do you call it?
Aren’t you hot with that scarf on your head?
Do you take it off when you sleep?
Do you have ears underneath that?
Do you have hair underneath that?
Why bother washing your hair when no-one sees it anyway?
I had a penchant for wearing black, so I had something in common with the Goths in my undergraduate year. But the Goths had Siouxsie Sioux, the Sloane Rangers had Princess Diana. I had no one to champion my dress sense, and couldn’t blend in anonymously with any crowd.
Image via gadisberjilbab.tumblr.com.
When I was growing up in East Africa and the Middle East, everyone I knew wore a headscarf and a loose black cloak called an “abaya” or “chadar” to cover their body when they went out. To me, it was as automatic as wearing a uniform to school, or stopping at a red traffic light.
I had always known that I would wear the hijab, but had never thought too much about the reason why. I knew that the Quran asked a woman to dress modestly, and I was fine with that. I also noted that it asked a man to lower his gaze, and also dress modestly, before asking a woman to guard her beauty. So hijab, literally meaning a cover or a curtain, is a two-way street in Islam.
Whilst modesty is symbolised by the hijab, it doesn’t begin and end there.
The concept of modesty in Islam goes beyond dress, to behaviour and demeanour. It should affect a Muslim’s conduct before God, before others and even when one is alone.
When I was fifteen, I attended a youth religious camp, where I understood a little more of the philosophy of the hijab, not just the physicality.
The hijab gives a woman control over whom she shows her beauty to, and how much.
So whilst I could dress up in the company of family members or my female friends, I also held the key to how the rest of the world saw me. I found a sense of freedom in not having to worry about “bad hair days” or conforming to social norms like my friends.
At University, I found myself in a world disparate to the one I had known previously. It was here that my hijab gained yet another dimension, that of a moral compass. Though it was more obvious in a physical sense because it ruled the way I dressed, I slowly began to appreciate the other choices my hijab led me to make. I was young, miles away from home and the clutches of parental control, and free to do as I pleased. But I was accountable to my hijab.
Initially, I resented the control it exercised on me. When friends would invite me for drinks at the Uni bar, or a night at the disco, I would reluctantly decline. I felt my desires were at odds with my dress sense.
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42 Responses to this article
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the*sparrow October 3, 2012
Zohra, please wear your hijab with pride, I for one will for ever remain unconvinced that “the hijab gives a woman control” of any kind at all. Controlled perhaps…
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The Huntress October 3, 2012
Lovely article, Zohra. I always find it interesting that women who do choose to wear the hijab seems to give them a sense of serenity and control. Hopefully, one day, you won’t have to explain it anymore as it will just be part of the crowds in our society.
I love the idea of a fashion co-ordinated hijab though, that is very cool
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cuisle October 3, 2012
It is wonderful that Zohra has been able to make a choice and wear the hjab. But what of the women who have no choice in what they wear, what of those woman who are unable to make any decisions as to how they conduct themselves.
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JessB October 3, 2012
Oh no, the link to this article in the Hoopla email was broken, and can’t be clicked on. I got here from the Hoopla front page, where this article is easy to find, but just wanted to let you all know!
Now to read the article…
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Clare October 3, 2012
Thank you for your article which I read with interest. However, I still don’t understand that if men can dress modestly without wearing the hijab or abaya, why can’t women? I am genuinely interested in knowing what you think about this, and I am not trying to be facetious or rude. Also, if women try to make their hijab fashionable/colour co-ordinated and embellished, then surely that is drawing attention to themselves, which, from my understanding, is going against why they are wearing the hijab in the first place. Please accept that I am sincerely interested in your opinion. I am not anti-Muslim nor anti-Arab – I lived in the Sultanate of Oman for 11 years and know how lovely, hospitable, charming and fun the majority of Arabs are.
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Zohra October 3, 2012
Hi Clare. In many of the Abrahamic traditons, women were asked to cover their hair, as part of modest dress.Women are also more prone to dress fashionably than men, though that can be arguable, nowadays. I know that in the Middle East, many ladies will dress in the latest couture, but then cover it all with their fashionable abayas. I try to do in Rome, as the Romans. So in the East, I wore the abaya to blend in. In Australia, I shop at the same place as everyone else, but modify by covering my hair and arms. As for the colour co-ordination, just makes sense to wear a pink headscarf not a black one if I’m in a pink top. By doing so, I may standout, but I’m still covered.
I am very lucky that in Australia, I am able to do and say as I please, and very grateful for that freedom.
No, I don’t feel controlled, because I can’t wear a miniskirt, or do certain things in public. I think society controls young girls and women under a facade of freedom.
Thank you, Huntress, and I hope one day my daughters can dress without having to explain too. To each his own way.
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Doone October 3, 2012
Everyone should be able to wear what they like and be safe. My only qualification is that I find covered faces very disconcerting. So while the hijab causes no concern at all, I am still struggling to accept the full or half face covering. I vacillate between accepting that people have a right to do what they like with their bodies and wondering if acceptance makes me complicit in oppression of women.
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Zohra Aly October 3, 2012
Hi Clare. In most Abrahamic faith traditions, women were asked to cover their hair and bodies for modesty, as least in religious places. i think today’s fashions and trends are also aimed more at women, because they are more likely to follow these. I know in the Middle East, women can dress in haute couture, then cover up in fashionable abays too. When i lived there, I wore an abaya to blend in. In Australia, I shop at the same stores as everyone else, then modify my outfits by covering my hair and arms.I think, when in Rome, do as the Romans, works well. As for the colour co-ordination, if I’m in purple top, then a purple hijab is more appropriate than black or pink. You might notice me more because of my sequinned scarf, but I’m still covered.
I’m lucky that in Australia, I am able to dress and say as I please, and I have the freedom to do so.
I don’t feel controlled, because i don’t wear a mini-skirt, or do certain things in public. I think society controls young girls and women under a facade of freedom.
Thank you, Huntress, I hope my girls can dress as they want without question because our generation has learnt to accept each other for who we are, not how we dress.
And Doone, I don’t cover my face, and can understand your reservations too. -
Rhoda October 3, 2012
I think you should wear what you like as other women do.
I can recommend the book ‘The Woman Who Fell from the Sky: An American Journalist in Yemen’ for more insights.
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Elizabeth October 4, 2012
I’m a little embarrassed by most of the comments on this article! I’d thought the people who read The Hoopla were women who were better educated in the ways of the world than to cling to Western ideology at the first glimpse of a hijab! I grew up on Anne of Green Gables and I remember Marilla always wearing a hat out of the house…it is a sign of modesty and respect the world over to cover your head/hair. It has nothing at all to do with rights other than to enhance their corollary, liberty.
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sue bell October 4, 2012
Yes I grew up in Anne Of Green Gables time and nearly every woman wore a head scarf, usually over their curlers getting ready for Saturday night date. The queen is a serial head scarf wearer , and I have noticed men becoming more modest and wearing jaunty little hats to hide their bald spots. It’s a load of rubbish to say it is modest behaviour to cover your hair, what is immodest about hair? is hair modesty the reason so many women get rid of pubic hair? So don’t pretend that a cultural practice is actually an act of modesty, it’s a cultural practice, that’s all it is it is not modesty. Myself, I cover my body to not get skin cancer not for some pretence at modesty. None of my friends (all in late fifties early sixties) wear head coverings except when the weather is extremely hot or cold yet we all dress modestly so don’t pretend your hair has to be covered to be modest. It all comes from a section of the bible talking about angels getting excited and turned from God by the sight of a woman’s hair. What a load of rubbish.
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Wendy Green October 19, 2012
“… angels getting excited …” where did you get THAT from???
Please qualify your remarks with the bible passage reference Sue Bell!?
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Jenny October 4, 2012
I think the hijab is delightful, and often wish it was a part of the general fashion! We had a version of it some years ago, and we could use it to cover a multitude of problems. But what I like most about your article Zohra was that you found so many good options in London that didn’t involve drinking yourself silly and haunting smoky, noisy clubs. I do wish that young women could find the interest and enjoyment in these activities that you found. There is so much out there in our world that doesn’t involve the risky and unhealthy behaviours our young ones seem so passionate about.
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Christina October 4, 2012
Fantastic article, thank you for the insight. In the end it is about women having the freedom to wear what they want for the reasons they want – how many western women feel so free? Can we have the power to choose who we want to show our beauty to?
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robin fordham October 4, 2012
Sure wear whatever you want but do not understand the link drawn between a headscarf, modesty and morality. I also don’t understand if Zohra is trying to suggest something by writing that she was “woken up by the sound of shrill laughter tottering on high heels, punctuated by the sound of vomiting.”
What I do now is that less modesty in dress does not mean less morality. -
Kris October 4, 2012
I really dont give a fig what people wear or why they wear it.
If a woman, for whatever reason CHOOSES to wear an abaya or hijab (or anything else for that matter) then that is entirely up to them. I do not expect them to defend their choice to me – just like I do not have to defend why I chose to wear this top today.
If it is NOT their choice, THEN and only then it is an issue.
Frankly, there are days when I could quite happily wear an abaya!
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Karen S October 4, 2012
Thank you Zohra – I found your article both interesting and informative in relation to the hijab. I look forward to reading your next article and hopefully we can all become a little more informed and tolerant about things that we don’t know too much about…….keep wearing your hijab with pride!
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Nargis Panju October 4, 2012
Beautiful article. Very good points. I am proud of you
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Glenn October 4, 2012
As an Aussie guy that has grown up making sure that women are free to do and say what , when and how they like I find this topic interesting.
No matter how you dress this issue of the hijab up, at the end of the day it is about male domination and female supression even if you want to say in a small way.
To me it fly`s against everything that we Aussies both males and females hold dear, equality.
Zohra I love that you try to jazz this up , but here females have all the choice they want on every issue. You can`t convince me that if you didn`t have to wear these things you would . If you really love the Hijab that much by all means wear it, but no women in this beautiful country should be forced or shamed into it. This is Auistralia we fight for freedom and always will.
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Peggy Saas October 5, 2012
Well written Zohra. I am constantly baffled at the reaction by some people to how others dress. How is it anyone else’s business what you choose to wear anyway? I am more inclined to cringe at the shorter and shorter skirts seen on young girls these days, but I don’t find it my place to make it my business.
Good on you, its your power and yours alone to stand proud and wear what you like. Well done.
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ellenni October 9, 2012
if you need to wear a scarf to help your moral compass then do it.
you pick and choose who you think is worthy of seeing you but you are at liberty to see our faces.
you tell us about your beauty but surely as an educated woman you know the old saying ‘beauty etc……..”
forgive me if i have misread you but i think you are a little smug. -
notconvinced October 12, 2012
The athiest in me is a little perplexed by references to religion dictating a style dress – any style of dress.
The civil libertarian in me thinks that a women should be able to wear whatever she wants.
The feminist in me thinks a women should be able to wear whatever she wants, too. But she also is pretty sure that the first ever hijab that was donned by a woman, was done so at the behest of a man.
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Shazza October 15, 2012
Like notconvinced I cannot get past the fact these coverings are the invention of men. They are a very clear symbol to me of women’s subjugation in the cultures that insist on their use. Modesty comes from within. Clothes do not maketh the man (or woman).
But perhaps more disturbing for me is the vague implication here that women who choose to wear fashionable western clothing, which may consist of short skirts or low cut tops are inherently immodest. And we all know how that accusation has been used against western women previously to justify rape.
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Morality nothing to do with religion October 26, 2012
I’m with you Shazza. This modesty thing grates on me. Nothing wrong with being sexy, many women in short skirts and low tops etc. look great, liberated and strong. I don’t want to be told by a religion that I must be modest. My morality comes from humanism not religion.
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Wendy Green October 19, 2012
I am very happy to read any article on The Hoopla that educates me about things I know very little about. Thanks again Hoopla and many thanks Zohra
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sue bell October 19, 2012
sorry wendy green I read the old testament from beginning to end years ago. In fact I had it out from the library for so long I had to wait for an amnesty on fines before I could return it. The reference was definitely there and I even did a painting based on the quote, but where about I wouldn’t have a clue. My basic premise is that wearing a particular item of clothing does not give you a moral compass, it is your own self education, philosophical view of life and family education. In fact I found the article a bit holier than thou. Wear whatever you like but accept that it is your immediate community values and cultural norms that fashion your decision. No clothing provides a moral compass.
I wear black because I like it and I come from Melbourne. Wearing black does not direct my moral compass to believe that murder is wrong, that we all need to learn to live together and have compassion for society to survive, that it is my duty to help people where ever they need it, that we have a duty to protect children. These are a few of my moral values and they have absolutely nothing to do with my clothing and nothing to do with religion. And, I have to say, I am sick to death of religious people telling me I do not have my own deeply held moral compass as I am an atheist. Also very tired of people who believe in some sort of god or another assuming they are morally better than I am. I was savagely bullied at my workplace by a good christian woman who knew she was better than myself, this bullying help lead to the death of my baby daughter through the stress I experienced.
so go and read the old testament, feel sickened at how many stories blame women for the bad behaviour of men and find the reference and feel sorry for the women who hide their hair with scarves and wigs for no good reason.
I would be interested in your interpretations of stories such as Hagar, Jezabel, Salome and Suzanna, even the story of Noah and Moses The old testament is a deeply misogynist work. -
Lucille October 23, 2012
When you see a woman covered from head to toe walking alongside a man in Yakka shorts, thongs and a singlet it makes a mockery of the independence of Islamic women.
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Joni October 25, 2012
At the beach last summer on a 40 plus day I saw a Muslim couple, he was in the briefest of speedos leering at other women and she was covered in black from head to toe. It just did not seem fair.
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Roxley October 23, 2012
Lucille, that has always perplexed me as well. Apparently women don’t feel the heat like the men do! Often see women wearing a long trench coat over a long skirt plus a hijab – in the summer. I would demand my husband cover up as much if he expected me to! I DO agree that women shld be able to dress as they please, though a woman carrying a large handbag and wearing a tiny bikini in the supermarket the other day was too over the top for me. A time and place etc. I also balk at people covering their faces. That is more than disconcerting. Not all Muslim women wear those gloriously coloured scarves out in public. It’s usually drab colours – if not black. But delightful to see the pretty young women in their colourful scarves. Catholic nuns wear their religious garb on the outside; mormons wear theirs on the inside. People wear religious symbols etc. But the reality is, that is was a rule made hundreds of years ago, by a men (in the name of god of course as all these rules are), and continues to be ‘encourage’ by men – sometimes to the physical detriment of women in some locations.
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Willy October 24, 2012
Fascinating that wealthy western countries like Australia, the U.K and the U.S and others are being swamped with people wearing Muslim garb, with them wailing on arrival that no-one understands them. Maybe they need to change – not the people in the countries they are invading.
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Melissa October 27, 2012
Good point Willy, there is too much demanding of ” tolerance” ” respect” etc without showing any towards the citizens who have accepted muslim people in their community.
I have woked in high schools where here is a large islamic population and I found the behaviour of these students very tesy and disrespectful; any attempts to discipline were met with shrill cries of ” you’re bing racist”.
When women wearing the hijab bang on about morality and modesty ( and are the wo rally linked on any deep level? I have encountered many people who are dressed modestrly but behaving in a way that is morally bankrupt) I hear a loud implication of assumed superiority…
Thanks for your thoughts Sue Bell; it’s time that religious people got off their high- horse with their assumptions of superior moralitry.
The point is, people who have had to arrive at their own set of values have put the leg work in to work things out for themselves …this to me suggests a much deeper connection with these values than someone who is merely mimicing what they have been told to believe -
marsh November 6, 2012
Thanks for the article Zohra. Thoughtful and interesting. i was at London Uni in the early 1980s and it was my first (and mostly positive) experience of other cultures. What I found deeply disturbing, though, was the behaviour of men from the Middle East and South Asia, who were by and large from wealthy families where piety was cultivated at home but was left behind at Heathrow when they got off the plane. They treated all women with disrespect and could not get enough of the raunch culture, which was surfacing back then with lead female singers and provocative movies.
Today, I am deeply disturbed when i go to places like Lakemba and see women swathed in top to toe black trailing after men in t shirts and shorts.
Finally, can someone explain the use of make-up. If the aim is to be modest, why is it some women in a hijab or burka feel it’s ok slather themselves in make-up – kohl, eyeliner, mascara, eyebrow pencil, lipstick. If their beauty is meant for god and their husbands, how does making yourself look alluring in public fit in? -
Kate November 12, 2012
I think anyone- male or female shoul be able to what they feel comfortable in, but they should also have the right to choose not to wear something without being harmed or thrown out of a religion. I think I will always have an issue with the Muslim faith, not because its different, not because of what you wear but your beliefs are very contradictive and controlling. Of course majority of Muslims are probably decent people but I can say this we certainly wouldn’t want any Muslims in government and hope our children never have to live in Australia if run by Muslims. Other faiths can live with others and not expect everyone to abide, tell me it’s not true that if a Muslim were to run our country they would be happy for all women to still dress as they please and not chane any of our rights?? They wouldn’t they would change them all to suit their beliefs- that’s what’s scary! That’s what scares me and I hope it never happens. Live confidently in your belief but stop trying to make yours out as the only right way and expecting others to be the same
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Verity Truman November 24, 2012
To state that your hajib is your moral compass is absolute hogwash and you know it. What you are doing is; deliberately trying to make yourself look different, alien like a ‘cone-head’ as depicted in the Hollywood movie by the same name. It really is a very ugly look. You, Zohra Aly have definitely lost your “moral compass”.
The dictionary meaning of ‘moral’ is: concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behaviour and character based on those principles. The dictionary meaning of compass is: navigational instrument for finding directions. To put it simply; there is ‘right’ and there is ‘wrong’ and we need to find the directions to get to “right’ – the veracious thing to do.
Please read this academic study by a middle eastern academic revealing the truth.
“…nowhere in the Quran, except in Sura 33: 53, is the word hijab used to speak about a particular dress code for Muslim women. And nowhere, including in Sura 33:53 is hijab used to describe, let alone to prescribe, the necessity for Muslim women to wear a headscarf or any of the other pieces of clothing often seen covering women in Islamic countries today…”
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Bint Abdul December 27, 2012
@Zohra Aly
“This world is like a prison for a muslim but a paradise for a non muslim”-Hadith.
When I am a muslim I am under the control of my creator Allah.I am under his commandments.So I am to maintain ‘Purdah’(covering) as He has commanded…this is the fact.this can be the reason…
Actually I dn fully appreciate your thoughts.Allah doesn’t command a muslim woman just to put a piece of cloth in head…Allah’s words has rapid meanigs.It is covering everything…
anyway,top is not an islamic dress which you wear…-
Verity truman January 16, 2013
Bint Abdul
Nowhere in the Quran, except in Sura 33: 53, is the word hijab used to speak about a
particular dress code for Muslim women. And nowhere, including in Sura 33:53 is hijab
used to describe, let alone to prescribe, the necessity for Muslim women to wear a
headscarf or any of the other pieces of clothing often seen covering women in Islamic
countries today.
Are you brain dead?
Please read this academic paper written by a middle easternt scholar:
http://tinyurl.com/beaz7up
Read it
Read it
Read it
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Ashley March 26, 2013
I think that if you really need a hijab as a moral shield and to act morally then your self-control is really weak, better work on that first rather than using the hijab as a shield.
