Behind the Vail

How a woman chooses to express their fashion style is not only about what shoes to wear, but it can also be an important symbol of their religious conviction. People have been wearing “different” types of clothing to express their religious believes for centuries, from the concealing black habits of worn by Catholic nuns to the saffron-colored robes of the Buddhist monks, this style of dress has been a symbol of their spiritual faith for years.  So too, is the ideal behind the vail for the women of Islam.  Muslim women choose to wear a veil (either a Hijab, Niqab, Burka, Chandor or Khimar) for various reason, some to because they wish to liberate themselves from the Barbie doll image the fashion magazine choose to portray to, to an expression of their religious faith to a direct command from God, via the interpretations of the Quran.  The actual reason is the women’s personal choice to wear a veil, and the beauty of it is that she has an array of options which headdress to wear, depending on their unique interpretations and religious belief.

However, so many of us in Western Culture, find this form of religious expression to be antiquated or oppressive. However, many “modern-day” Muslim women wear a head covering, or hijab as a means to exemplify their beliefs and principles of modesty, or to become more spiritually connected to their religion, and to actively practice their faith in the open.  “It’s often assumed that girls who wear the niqab are forced into it by their families,” (Soni, 2013).  But in recent years, this is far from the truth.  In fact, many young women are choosing to cover their head or face of their own volition.  Asma, a young British woman who started covering her face when she was thirteen years old, she states that none of the women of her family cover their head or face, in fact, her family was completely shocked, but she found that wearing the Niqab gave her a sense of spiritual peace.  In the UK, many young girls, “like Asma, are adopting the niqab, even though their mothers never did, partly as a way of asserting a Muslim identity they feel is under attack,” (Soni, 2013).

It is unfortunate that there is so much controversy around their expression of religion.  In 2009, Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, called the burqas “a sign of subjugation, of the submission of women,” (Edmonds, n.d.). France banned the wearing of the burqas because the country didn’t believe that women should be imprisoned or deprived of identity,” (Edmonds, n.d.).   To persons who share similar views like Sarkozy, the vail is seen as a “dehumanizing prison that turns women into second-class citizens,” (Edmonds, n.d.).  While for others who wear their Hijab proudly, it is extremely powerful.  It is a confidence, to know they will not be judged based on their physical appurtenance.  Zena, a British university student, says, “wearing the Hijab is a way to reject the western ideas of beauty.”  She says, “Surely it’s better not to wear skimpy clothes, to preserve some of your modesty? I’m not sure what all the fuss is about. I would feel more uncomfortable seeing someone walking down the street in skimpy clothes, with no shame than someone covering up with extra clothes,” (Soni, 2013).

I think the most important thing to understand by this cultural expression is that millions of Muslim women are finding empowerment in their culture and religious expression, (Harn, 2017). “The hijab empowers them with the pride and love for their religion, and the power of modesty also helps many feel stronger,” (Harn, 2017).

Before this article, I never really understood the why so many Muslim choose to cover their head or face.  However, after reading so many articles about the freedom these women felt and how this was a symbol of their choice to express their piety.  It is a reminder to us all, to not judge a culture because we do not fully understand the symbolism of a particular habit or choice.  My hope for us all is that next time you meet a woman who is veiled you are encouraged to smile and say hello, and not be quick to judge her.

Edmonds, M. (n.d.) Why do some cultures require women to wear veils? How Stuff Works.         Retrieved from: https://people.howstuffworks.com/veil.htm.

Harn, J. (2017, October 11). 10 thinks you need to know about the Hijab. The Culture Trip.          Retrieved from: https://theculturetrip.com/middle-east/united-arab-          emirates/articles/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-hijab/.

Soni, D. (2013, October 22). Why Muslim women choose to wear a veil.

. Channel 4     News, London, UK. Retrieved from: https://www.channel4.com/news/niqab-hijab-       burqa-muslim-veil-headdress-birmingham.