Y: What does the hijab mean to you?
Q: The hijab is a commandment from my Lord and it means that I am respected and dignified for my thoughts, ideas and attitudes instead of being seen as a sexual object first. I do it, first and foremost, for my Lord. Keeping that in mind always humbles me. It’s not for culture, or a fad and it’s most certainly not because some man forced it upon me. Sometimes it can be perceived as a tool to control the male gaze, but that’s not the main purpose of the hijab. It transcends patriarchy or any other form of sexism that exists because it’s sole purpose is to empower women.
Y: How old were you when you started wearing the hijab? Was it a personal choice?
Q: I think I was around 9 or 10 years old. I don’t quite remember how I began wearing it, but I do know that during that time, my mother was wearing it. She was very proud of representing her religion. Since she is my role model, I wanted to mimic everything she did and that included wearing the hijab. Unfortunately, around that age, 9/11 occurred and it completely shifted the attitudes and perspectives I had of the world around me. Even though I experienced racism, until that point, I hadn’t really experienced Islamophobia. It was during the post-9/11 era when I realized how cruel and hurtful people could be. It was sobering and it made me question not only wearing the hijab, but my identity as a Somali, black, Muslim woman.
Y: How does wearing the hijab affect your everyday life?
Q: I often call hijabis (women who adorn the hijab), “beacons of Islam” because everything we do, say, feel, etc., represents the religion, whether we intend to or not. This can be both good and bad. I think personally, wearing the hijab makes me more conscious of my decisions and how I treat others. It’s a constant reminder to be dutiful to God, merciful to humankind, the environment and animals and more aware of the world around me. I’m constantly thinking of how to assist others and thinking beyond my little bubble. All of those thought processes are because of the hijab and I am thankful for that.
Y: Do you feel like wearing the hijab gets in the way of certain opportunities?
Q: Absolutely. It certainly can hinder opportunities but spiritually speaking, I think of it as a blessing. Perhaps I wasn’t meant to be given that opportunity because God has something better in store for me. I used to get bitter about it and even blame myself for any shortcomings but I soon realized that I could change the circumstances if I altered my reactions to them. I know that being visibly Muslim and Black in America is unfavorable, especially in the current political climate. Nonetheless, I will continue to be vocal about injustices and lack of resources until concrete change occur.
Y: Do you take into account the way you style your hijab according to your outfits or do you wear it the same everyday?
Q: Sometimes. As a teacher, I know I am in a pretty conservative field so I take care of my image/dress and how I wear my hjiab. I think, overall, I keep my hijab pretty simple and consistent. It’s less of a hassle that way. Occasionally, for special events I will wear a turban or a more complex hijab style.
Y: When it comes to the fashion industry, do you think hijabis are underrepresented?
Q: Yes, we are grossly underrepresented. I have only seen a few hjiabi models in magazines or TV ads. When I do see them, I become extremely happy because that means a little hijabi girl somewhere in the world sees a representation of herself in media. It’s a way to challenge stereotypes of Muslim women since we are, at times, seen as submissive, voiceless and unable to express ourselves. I would like to see more trailblazers like Halima Aden in the fashion industry. When she walked the runway for Yeezy’s fashion line, there was a whirl wind of excitement and joy from the Somali community and the wider Muslim community. It was beautiful to see a Somali hijabi gracing the runway and doing her thing all the while, maintaining her modesty and roots. She also wears braces yet still smiles to show the world you can be anything you want to be.
Y: In the picture above, where is your outfit from and how does it represent your style?
The black dress is from a Somali clothing line called Kabayare Fashion. The hijab is a basic black scarf from a Somali flea market. The hido iyo dhaqan scarf is a traditional Somali fabric that has been passed down matriarchally in my family. It holds a lot of value and meaning. All the items I am wearing represent my style, which is ever-evolving but constantly tied to my roots as a Muslim and Somali. I make an effort to buy clothing from Somali stores, especially those run by women, as a way to give back and support my community.
Y: What hardships have you faced wearing the hijab and what have you learned from it?
Q: I have faced a lot of discrimination and hatred. Often times, I am faced with ugly words and unkindness from people who don’t know me at all. They just assume I am what they imagine: their worst nightmare. I think if they took a few minutes to talk with me, they would soon realize that their fears have no basis and are unwarranted.
Y: What advice would you give to someone who just started wearing hijab?
Q: I would say that it’s important to have agency and in Islam, there is no compulsion. It should be a personal choice but it should also be an educated one. If the hijab doesn’t come from within, it won’t feel right. It’s also really important to note that the term hijab is meant for women AND men, a fact rarely mentioned both within the Muslim community and the media. It’s a commandment that requires humility, grace, power and modesty (in all sense of the word). Most people assume the hijab is just a headscarf or niqab, but it’s actually more than that. It’s a set of values and without those values, the hijab is meaningless.
Y: If you could tell everyone one thing about hijab, what would it be?
Q: It’s found across all religions and cultures. Many would be surprised that if they just took the time to research the hijab and modesty in Islam, they would find a lot of parallels with world religions and customs. It’s a common practice that has unfortunately been criminalized due to Islamophobia and ignorance.
Y: What is one stereotype about Muslim women you want to erase?
Q: The stereotype I’d erase is the misbelief that we are voiceless, docile creatures who need others to speak for them. I absolutely detest that people, mostly white women, believe that feminism is the cure for the hijab. The reality is, that Islam is one of the first religions that created feminism, which allowed women to vote, hold property, have the same rights to education, etc. I am an intersectional feminist who is aware of that, and is trying to educate the larger spectrum of feminism. I don’t need anyone to speak for me or take away my agency.
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