What are your thoughts when you see a Muslim woman wearing a headscarf? Ever wonder why she could be wearing it?
The Arabic word for “hijab” means “curtain” or “partition.” It means modest behavior and clothing for both men and women in Islam. The most famous example of this concept being practiced is by Muslim women who cover their heads with scarfs or hijabs. For Muslims, the hijab signifies much more than just a head and neck covering. In Islam, a woman’s adherence to her beliefs, ideals, and relationship with God is symbolized by the hijab, which stands for modesty, purity, and identity.

In any case, the act of “veiling” merely represents a wish for all Muslims, male and female, to exemplify modesty in dress and behavior. While males are not required to cover their full body, they must adhere to certain dress and behavior standards that are respectful and modest. So, if you’ve ever wondered why Muslim women cover in the first place, the answer is usually simple!
Others may see it as a chance to publicly express their Muslim beliefs. For others, it is a rejection of contemporary norms that constantly objectify and sexualize women. These are just a few of the numerous explanations for why comparable women from other ethnic and religious origins, such as some Orthodox Jews and Christians, also choose to do so

So, why is the hijab portrayed as a horrible symbol of oppression?

For generations, Muslim women have been portrayed as veiled, detached, and targeted. This image of Muslim women is not a coincidence; pity, sympathy, and rage are natural reactions when these stereotypes are passed down through generations. However, this could not be further from the truth. The Holy Quran says: “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty, and not to show off their adornment except what is apparent, and to draw their veils over their chests.” (Surah An-Nur, 24:31)

This verse revealed over 14000 years ago, is extremely significant for all Muslims worldwide who *choose* to wear the hijab. The irony is that even when Muslim women speak up and express their devotion to wearing the hijab, their voices are silenced. But the numbers speak for themselves; in 2008, Gallup surveyed 50,000 Muslims from 35 countries. What are the results? The majority of Muslim women do not consider Islam as a burden, but rather as being vital to their growth. Muslim women have left behind tremendously significant legacies both historically and currently. From the 7th-century Aisha, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who was an important figure in scholarship, to women like Fatima al-Fihri in the 9th century who funded and built the world’s first university and the countless female scholars and reformers that followed.

Despite their choice to cover up, Muslim women have made significant contributions to society overall because of Islamic principles, which allowed them to concentrate on altering opinions rather than how the outside world views them. That being said, as we strive to understand and appreciate each other’s differences, let’s be mindful of the hijab’s significance in Islam and the value it symbolizes.