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Women in Hijab:

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Title: Women in Hijab:


1
Women in Hijab The Rationale Behind Wearing
the Headscarf
Presented by Emily Palmer 05 Mentored by
Professor Debra Majeed Research Partner Kelly
Skibiski 07 April 14, 2005
2
Types of Coverings that Muslim Women Wear
Burka
Chador
Hijab
3
Four Major Influences in A Womans Decision to
Wear Hijab
  • Her Islamic community
  • Her interpretation of the Quran
  • Her attempt to establish a personal identity
  • The pressures of her social environment

4
Quranic Basis of the Hijab
  • Ayats specifically address the issue of women
    covering themselves-Surah 2431 Lo! Allah is
    aware of what they (women) dodraw their veils
    over their bosoms and not reveal their adornment,
    save their own husbands or fathers.
  • Surah 3359 "O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy
    daughters and the women of the believers to draw
    their cloaks close round them (when they go
    abroad). That will be better so they may be
    recognized and not annoyed.i
  • One hadith addresses the issue "'Oh Asmaa!
    When a girl reaches menstrual age, it is not
    proper that anything should remain exposed except
    this and this.' He pointed to the face and
    hands."i i

5
Analysis of Surahs and Hadith
  • Some Muslim scholars argue that the Surahs and
    hadith where the concept of hijab derived need to
    be put into cultural context and not applied to
    all Muslim women.
  • Surah 2431 Some women used to leave the front
    of their tunic open and were showing their
    breasts in public. This was a call for general
    modesty.
  • Surah 3353 Prophet Muhammads wives only
  • Surah 3359 Muhammads tribe was in war and
    needed a way to distinguish their women from the
    opposing sides women.
  • Hadith is weak because origins are not known.

6
Reasons Women Began Wearing Hijab
  • Muslim men and some women thought the Quran
    mandated it
  • Muhammads wives were instructed to cover their
    hair because they were of a higher status, and
    other women began doing this to emulate them
  • It was practical for women to cover their hair in
    the desert climate
  • It became an identity factor
  • The tradition was carried to other parts of the
    world with the spread of Islam

7
How Does This Connect to American Muslim Women
in American Culture?
  • American media has implanted a negative image of
    Muslim women into our society.
  • Negative images in American media make it harder
    for American Muslim women who cover their hair to
    be accepted into American society.
  • This type of negative attention could affect a
    womans choice to wear hijab.

8
The Influence of an American Muslim Womans
Islamic Community
  • An American Muslim woman considers the
    conventions and customs of her mosque when
    choosing when and if to wear hijab.
  • The mosque or Islamic center that a woman
    associates herself with defines her religious
    beliefs, and helps to shape her identity as an
    American Muslim woman.

9
Her Attempt to Establish a Muslim Identity
  • Muslim women today wear hijab to identify
    themselves as Muslims.
  • Want to distinguish American Muslim culture and
    do so by wearing hijab in a certain style, or by
    not wearing hijab at all.
  • Important because it distinguishes American form
    of Islam from others, and adds a distinct
    American flavor to their religiosity.

10
Her Interpretation of the Quran
  • A womans interpretation can vary widely,
    depending on her upbringing and cultural
    background.
  • A womans decision to wear hijab depends on
    whether or not she feels the Quran mandates her
    to wear it.
  • Women are beginning to empower themselves by
    reading the Quran
  • Debate about hijab and whether or not the Quran
    mandates wearing it has opened new doors for
    women. Women are now reading the Quran
    themselves to see what it says instead of
    listening to the male interpretation of it.

11
Sister Brendas African-American Muslim Identity
  • I was already used to wearing a head covering
    because of my African-American heritage. When I
    converted to Islam, it was no change wearing a
    headscarf because of my religious beliefs, than
    it was to wear one because of my cultural
    beliefs.
  • Brenda, an African-American Muslim woman, designs
    clothes for Muslim women, catering to the
    African-American population. Sister Brenda tries
    so hard to establish her identity as an
    African-American Muslim woman that she says,
    Ive gotten the impression from some non-African
    American Muslim women that my designs are too
    stylish.

12
The Pressure of Her Social Environment
  • A woman can be pressured to or not to wear hijab
    by the social environment she is engaged in,
    whether at work, the neighborhood she lives in,
    her family life, etc.
  • A Muslim woman interviewed stated that she would
    take off her head covering a block away from work
    and put it on a block away after work because she
    was uncomfortable wearing hijab at work, but
    didnt want to betray her religion.

13
The Pressure of Her Social Environment Family
It is most common for families of Muslim converts
to have a hard time becoming accustomed to their
daughters hijab 1) because they are from a
different religious background and 2) because it
is the most visible aspect of their daughters
beliefs Even before, my family always accepted
my activities and my deep faith, even if they
didnt share it. They were not as open-minded,
however, when I started to wear hijab. They
worried that I was cutting myself off from
society, that I would be discriminated against,
that it would discourage me from reaching my
goals, and they were embarrassed to be seen with
me. They thought it was too radical.
14
Conclusion
  • Many Americans assume that when they see a woman
    wearing hijab, she is oppressed, weak, and
    mandated by her religion to do so.
  • However, women's reasons for wearing hijab are
    varied.
  • Through this symposium, I hope I have helped you
    understand the rationale that some women use to
    employ head covering as part of their Muslim
    identity.

15
Bibliography
Anway, Carol L. Daughters of Another Path
Experiences of American Women Choosing Islam.
Lees Summit, MO Yawna Publications, 1996. p.
58. Alvi, Sjida Sultana and Homa Hoodfar and
Sheila McDonough, et al. The Muslim Veil in
North America. Toronto Womens Press, 2003,
186-192. Hasan, Asma Gull. American Muslims
The New Generation. New York Continuum Press,
2000. p. 35 Hijab An Act of Faith,
Soundvision. Chicago 1993. Pickthall, Mohammed
Marmaduke. The Meaning of the Glorious Quran
An Explanatory Translation. New York New
American Library, date unknown. Surahs
2430-3359. Brenda ajdklaf, Personal interview,
November 20, 2004.
16
Thank you for coming!
Special thanks to Prof. Debra Majeed Kelly
Skibiski Dave Maggio Elaine Palmer Sisters of AST
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