Kulsoom Abdullah recently won a rules battle over the right to observe hijab during competition for her sport of weightlifting, inspiring others to hope for less discrimination toward athletic hijabis. This lead me to wonder about two points- 1) on the dedication of these hijabis to their faith 2) on why some are so resistant to making accommodations.
First, as I am personally struggling with my own definition of hijab in my life, I feel pride and inspiration at these women who refuse to 'stand down' to giving up hijab to work or 'play'. I have a job interview this week and my Christian family feels that not wearing hijab will be more beneficial to landing a job- perhaps in my military Christian town. I have already modified my own hijab to be more of a hair covering hat-style, non tight clothes, anything else goes thing so I do feel like I'm compromising. But for what? and who? If I get a job sans-hijab, then I'll struggle with 'when do I wear hijab at work?" 'how will they react?" "should I just not wear it at all anymore?" Regardless of my modifications, I don't want to fully compromise myself.
And that leads me back to the women who don't compromise- they no doubt enjoy their sports, hobbies, and earning money. But they show from their actions, these complete strangers to me and the world, that they love obeying God more then anything else. Bottom line. And God bless them because it inspires people like me to be true to God, faith, and the American freedoms I have been blessed with as a citizen. And its so ridiculous when people say American Muslims are not patriotic- this is one of the few 'western' countries that has laws protecting hijab and freedom of religion. That alone makes me patriotic, despite the actions of some businesses or individuals who demonstrate hate
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/29/muslim-discrimination-cas_n_842076.html
The second point makes me think of the 'fear of the unknown' and how Americans can be resistant to foreign practices (unless businesses benefit from them/ 'press one for espanol') and hijab is definitely something that is not common. I understand some safety concerns in some sports like maybe soccer due to strangulation concerns but most times, hijab is safe in many situations pertaining to work and play. So its interesting when I see news article commenters mention "go back home" and such when the topic is discrimination of hijab.
Tony Blair called hijab a 'mark of separation" but how, really? Each person on the street may wear something that makes them look different and unique and its accepted- miniskirts, long hair on men, crazy high heels, etc. Should all people look exactly the same with uniforms as to not offend anyone else? Additionally, religion is not a foreign 'import' (anyone can be any religion, regardless of nationality) and no one scoffs on a modestly dressed Christian is involved in an event- hijab, however, is so different from the norm and not easy to ignore that people seem to be unable to deal with it. So what is it? I try to remember how I felt when I saw hijabis prior to converting- I remember feeling curious and impressed that women would be so observant to their faith. I suppose people may fear this 'unknown' will be more prevalent in American society and point out the differences between modest and 'free' or immodest. Like smoking a cigarette in front of a nun, perhaps others feel a silent religious-based condemnation that makes them uncomfortable. Perhaps this islamophobia will die down as the anti-Judaism had in America long ago- they're now loved everywhere or otherwise protected. And gays are starting to win their fights too, regardless of the Islamic ideologies on that, just speaking from a democratic country standpoint. I just pray that people will not be harmed anymore due to intolerance. Inshallah.
