Today, I am joined by three wonderful guests, and I’m incredibly honored to be celebrating World Hijab Day with these three respected ladies.
Marium Hakeem converted to Islam four years ago. She was born in Mexico and brought to the US at a very young age. She works as a community organizer and has five children. She loves her job as she says it allows her to help those in need and find themselves.
Asha Issa is a licensed massage therapist and a life coach. She is currently in school pursuing her MFT Program. She’s passionate about helping abused women and empowering them to rediscover and find themselves. Asha is also the founder of Bismillah Creations.
Masooma Shah, aka “trouble maker,” is a marvelous mom to four awesome children.
In this episode of the Mindful Meeting Podcast, we dive deep into different views about the Hijab, why Muslim women wear it, answer questions about whether it’s a form of oppression, and why Muslim men don’t have a mode of dressing like women. Tune in to listen to these and so much more.
Time Stamps
[04:20] Muslim and non-muslim women give their views with regards to the Hijab
[08:35] Guests’ views on the Hijab
[11:38] Hijab and Modesty
[14:20] Why Muslim women wear the Hijab
[22:16] Why Hijab is still viewed negatively in the society
[26:17] Need to educate the non-muslims about the Hijab
[29:04] Harassment experiences for wearing the Hijab
[33:55] Stats on how Social Media has affected self-esteem. Has Islam found the solution with the Hijab?
[43:01] Why not Muslim men?
[46:30] Advice to Muslim sisters struggling to wear the Hijab
[51:37] Is there anything Muslim men can do to support their sisters?
[53:07] Message to humanity
The Muslim and non-muslim women give their views on what comes to their mind when Hijab is mentioned. Most of them said Hijab means modesty, protection, a sense of security, and acts as a bodyguard. Hijab has also been defined as being symbolic and a form of identity, respect, and personality for the Muslim sisters.
Marium says Hijab to her shows modesty as getting covered defines modesty just like that.
“My Hijab means self-respect to me. My dressing means self-respect to me.”
Asha thinks of Hijab as a form of protection.
“To me, Hijab is like my identity as a Muslim. It’s a part of me, and I would be incomplete if I were to go without it.”
Masooma says Hijab is a sign of respect and modesty to her. After starting to wear it, she says she noticed the level of respect increasing.
Although the Hijab is regarded as a sign of modesty to Muslim women, one can still be modest without it. Modesty depends on how you carry yourself. Besides, some people inappropriately wear the Hijab with skin-tight, makeup, and tight clothing.
Masooma says, “It all comes to how you carry yourself, with or without the Hijab.”
In today’s society, the Hijab still has a negative view. Masooma says it’s because the media portrays the Hijab as a form of oppression to Muslim women. Another reason is that people are not educated enough about the meaning of the Hijab.
To remove this negative view, there is a need to educate non-muslims about the Hijab since they are our friends and people that we live with. Muslim women should also be proud when wearing it and not feel offended when asked why they wear it.
Asha says ‘The Hijab is a choice and not an oppression.”
While it looks like Islam is punishing women for men’s behavior who can’t control their eyes, my guests insist that the Hijab is a form of protection to women.
“If men were to cover themselves, the coverings would not cover their behavior. They will still have the desire.”
The Muslim sisters who wear the Hijab should see the Hijab as something that will make them feel confident, comfortable and offer protection when worn.
You should also put it on when you are ready and never wear it to make someone happy but comfortable with yourself.
The Muslim men should stand with their daughters, wives, and sisters and motivate them without making them feel less while wearing the Hijab.
Holding such discussions to create awareness is also important in educating society about this issue.
We finish off the discussion with my guests sharing their message to humanity.
Marium: Honesty, Respect, Loyalty, and Commitment.
Masooma: Be kind and understanding to be human.
Asha: Let your faith be bigger than your fear.
Connect with Asha, Marium, and Masooma
Connect with Asha on Bismillah Creations Website https://bismillah-creations.com/
Connect with Marium of Facebook
Connect with Masooma through Darezahra Religious Center
