17 replies to this topic

[Spiritual Being]

Sisters do you realise that women in general act different during wearing a hijab in the east in comparison to the West....

Can ony one with the experience of waering a hijab in both east and west entertain us with her experience, emotions, feelings, reflections on wearing the hijab in both east and west ....Can she underline the main differences between both hijabs in terms of emotional status, feelings, social status, politics, etc

[BillyJo]

Real hijab



Fake hijab



Most women wear the fake hijab

[Janana]

Asalamu alaikum all,

I am fortunate enough to have experienced wearing hijab in both the west in the east. Some of you know I am a convert, and a few months after my shahada I began wearing abaya with hijab and have never looked back. When I'm in the east I usually wear a large chador or burkha. Becoming Muslim and donning the hijab has never changed my personality so although my dress is quite different from the masses in my hometown, I still feel "western". Here is my answer and opinion to your question:


Emotional status
In the East: At ease that I'm around other Muslims who share similar values & respect me
In the West: At ease, though conscious of other peoples' reactions. I feel respected though ready and prepared to verbally defend Islam if/when the time arises.

Feelings:
In the East: Noticing hijab much less because other women wearing it.
In the West: The feeling that I am a representative of Islam, proud, confident, wearing hijab with conviction.

Social status:
In the East: Recipient of wonderful hospitality, people amazed that a western woman would wear hijab.
In the West: Feeling of sisterhood/brotherhood when seeing and greeting another Muslim, highly respected in my workplace, involved with community development

Politics:
In the East: No difference.
In the West: People assuming I support a certain group or political ideology based on the fact I am Muslim.

I am much more conscious of my beliefs and the meaning of hijab in the West where I am viewed as a minority. In the East when everyone else is wearing it, it is much easier to blend in. I've never had the chance to hear another woman's view on this, so curious to see what others say.

Allah hafiz

[Hamzi]

Shi3i, on 07 February 2012 - 03:16 AM, said:

Real hijab



Fake hijab



Most women wear the fake hijab

WELL SAID!

[Janana]

[3laweyaZainabiya]

Janana, on 07 February 2012 - 03:45 AM, said:

Asalamu alaikum all,

I am fortunate enough to have experienced wearing hijab in both the west in the east. Some of you know I am a convert, and a few months after my shahada I began wearing abaya with hijab and have never looked back. When I'm in the east I usually wear a large chador or burkha. Becoming Muslim and donning the hijab has never changed my personality so although my dress is quite different from the masses in my hometown, I still feel "western". Here is my answer and opinion to your question:


Emotional status
In the East: At ease that I'm around other Muslims who share similar values & respect me
In the West: At ease, though conscious of other peoples' reactions. I feel respected though ready and prepared to verbally defend Islam if/when the time arises.

Feelings:
In the East: Noticing hijab much less because other women wearing it.
In the West: The feeling that I am a representative of Islam, proud, confident, wearing hijab with conviction.

Social status:
In the East: Recipient of wonderful hospitality, people amazed that a western woman would wear hijab.
In the West: Feeling of sisterhood/brotherhood when seeing and greeting another Muslim, highly respected in my workplace, involved with community development

Politics:
In the East: No difference.
In the West: People assuming I support a certain group or political ideology based on the fact I am Muslim.

I am much more conscious of my beliefs and the meaning of hijab in the West where I am viewed as a minority. In the East when everyone else is wearing it, it is much easier to blend in. I've never had the chance to hear another woman's view on this, so curious to see what others say.

Allah hafiz

sister,

It's like you read my mind. I've been to the middle east and pretty much the same thing happened. Thanks for saving me the time of writing out something similar to the above lol

[Alshajr]

Women who observe 'Real Hijab' above, are not very visible in the workplace/school.

Most sisters who I've come across working in the west wear the second type of hijab. I am not limiting the first type of hijab to the style shown in the picture. It is the objective which matters.

The out garment stated in Surah Ahzab is for believing women who sacrifice their lives for Allah swt.

Surah Ahzab

[Shakir 33:59] O Prophet! say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers that they let down upon them their over-garments; this will be more proper, that they may be known, and thus they will not be given trouble; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

[zeinab94]

Asalamu Alaikum,,

I live in the West,, i wear the proper Hijab,, Hamdillah,, and i get stares from most people,, including Muslims who dont wear it properly,,

I have gone to the East for holidays,, and even though there r many Muslims there i still got stares from many people,, including Muslims,,

no matter were u live in the world,, everyone who doesnt wear proper Hijab will say that your still young to wear proper Hijab now,, even though in 18 now,, but i just laugh at how there so inlove with this Dunya,,

[AR2011]

i live and study in a very white area and i am always stared at when im in the supermarket, on a bus etc. i feel that ppl judge me for the way that i am dressed and the fact that i am muslim. i feel they look quite surprised when i open mouth and have a normal english accent. at the hospital, i often feel targeted (mostly by nursing staff) because of the way they perceive hijab contradicts infection control policies and i am forever explaining myself to some quite stubborn people.

on the opposite spectrum, i feel positive when someone makes a positive comment about my behavior as i feel that i have represented islam well. i am also happy that my hijab (both physical and social) helps me to maintain boundaries with the opposite gender eg a male student hugging all the girls and exchanging a smile when it comes to me or friends apologising for swearing if i happen to be around. i think that shows a level of respect which i highly appreciate.

[Allahuakbar]

Based on what I have seen in the Middle East, I feel like being in the West has done wonder to my spirituality and my pride in observing the correct hijab. I am saddened to see how many Muslimahs imitate what they think Western style is like in a vulgar manner. I have some friends Christian and Hindu acquaintances that dress more modestly than some female Muslims in the middle east.

[Aqua]

Is hijab visually defined as a solid black abaya?

I wear hijab, which to me is just loose, long, modest clothing that covers the shape of my body. I don't wear abaya unless I'm going to Howza or a religious event or something. At school and other places I wear long skirts, loose pants and long shirts with long jackets.

[diracdeltafunc]

BillyJo, on 07 February 2012 - 03:16 AM, said:

Real hijab



Fake hijab



Most women wear the fake hijab

I am a man myself but i would say the same about men as well. Most men dont do hijab.

Edited by diracdeltafunc, 07 April 2012 - 05:51 PM.

[zeinab94]

diracdeltafunc, on 07 April 2012 - 05:51 PM, said:

I am a man myself but i would say the same about men as well. Most men dont do hijab.

Asalamu Alaikum,,

thats very true,, most men think they can walk around without shirts on,, as a girl thats not something i want to see,,
but at the same time they dont apply social Hijab either

[safaa5196]

the hijab shouldnt change people's perspective on the woman herself because every person comes in a package and if you want the true gift you have to go past the wrapping into the personality and hijab allows that.

[Anisa Bandeh Khoda]

Hamzi, on 07 February 2012 - 03:55 AM, said:

WELL SAID!

Agreed

[hobazr]

Dear brothers and sisters;
Salam

I am an Iranian and I have recently admitted in a PhD program at McGill University. My wife and my little girl will accompany me to Montreal. As I have not ever lived outside Iran. I am wondering how is hijab of shia women in the city. I would appreciate it if someone tell me about the issue.

Best,

[hameedeh]

hobazr, on 12 May 2012 - 07:02 AM, said:

Dear brothers and sisters;
Salam

I am an Iranian and I have recently admitted in a PhD program at McGill University. My wife and my little girl will accompany me to Montreal. As I have not ever lived outside Iran. I am wondering how is hijab of shia women in the city. I would appreciate it if someone tell me about the issue.

Best,

Sorry that nobody answered your message. InshaAllah your wife and daughter will get along fine among the Muslim women in Montreal.

[Fatima Hussain]

As I person who wears hijab in the West, I would say it is not bad at all.  I have many people come up to me asking me about the hijab and Islam. Wearing the hijab in the West is like being an ambassador of Islam.  I even have some non-Muslims tell me how beautiful and elegant they think the hijab looks and that it is refreshing to see women dressed modestly.  I have noticed that before I wore the hijab, more guys would hit on me, but after wearing the hijab, not many did, which I appreciate.