Spring Break
This is my Hijab; this is my choice
Sahar Babak
Issue date: 5/9/08 Section: Opinion
About two months ago I made one of the biggest decisions of my life when I chose to start wearing the hijab (head scarf). I wear it as a symbol of who I am and what I believe, even if it means standing out from the crowd.
I made this decision knowing fully that I live in a society that largely fails to understand the concept of hijab and its meaning to the millions of Muslim women who observe it.
For too long, people have been told that Islam encourages and oppresses upon women and hijab is portrayed as a form of this oppression. I would like this chance to explain what the hijab means to me and those who choose to wear it.
While it is true that the action of force, which is not in line with Islamic teachings, is used in particular communities regarding hijab, it is becoming more common for Muslim women in the West to make this decision.
There are many purposes to the hijab - the main one being modesty. The Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, is always depicted in Christianity with a scarf over her head; portraying her as a modest, honorable, humble and pious woman.
So then, why is a Muslim woman who so closely resembles the Virgin Mary, perceived to be oppressed? Mary, also a strong female figure in Islam, was merely upholding her obligations to her religion put forth by God. It is the strong-willed Muslim woman who follows in Mary's footsteps centuries later.
The hijab is invaluable to the Muslim woman. A Muslim woman once said, "What do we do with the things that we value most? We protect them."
The hijab is what protects the things most valuable to me. With this protection comes freedom. Free to be oneself, free of any societal pressure to be accepted and noticed physically. I cannot stress enough the precious feeling of this freedom, for it can only be experienced in the shoes of the Muslim woman.
It is this great country that encourages and fosters the idea of freedom of religion and expression. The cars we drive, the books we read, the friends we hang out with, and the clothes we wear are all expressions of who we are.
For me, it is my hijab that expresses who I am. I am a Muslim-American, a woman who will not settle to be judged solely on her skin exposure, and a woman who deserves respect nonetheless.
Sahar Babak is a senior business administration major. Letters and feedback can be sent to letters@collegian.com.
I made this decision knowing fully that I live in a society that largely fails to understand the concept of hijab and its meaning to the millions of Muslim women who observe it.
For too long, people have been told that Islam encourages and oppresses upon women and hijab is portrayed as a form of this oppression. I would like this chance to explain what the hijab means to me and those who choose to wear it.
While it is true that the action of force, which is not in line with Islamic teachings, is used in particular communities regarding hijab, it is becoming more common for Muslim women in the West to make this decision.
There are many purposes to the hijab - the main one being modesty. The Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, is always depicted in Christianity with a scarf over her head; portraying her as a modest, honorable, humble and pious woman.
So then, why is a Muslim woman who so closely resembles the Virgin Mary, perceived to be oppressed? Mary, also a strong female figure in Islam, was merely upholding her obligations to her religion put forth by God. It is the strong-willed Muslim woman who follows in Mary's footsteps centuries later.
The hijab is invaluable to the Muslim woman. A Muslim woman once said, "What do we do with the things that we value most? We protect them."
The hijab is what protects the things most valuable to me. With this protection comes freedom. Free to be oneself, free of any societal pressure to be accepted and noticed physically. I cannot stress enough the precious feeling of this freedom, for it can only be experienced in the shoes of the Muslim woman.
It is this great country that encourages and fosters the idea of freedom of religion and expression. The cars we drive, the books we read, the friends we hang out with, and the clothes we wear are all expressions of who we are.
For me, it is my hijab that expresses who I am. I am a Muslim-American, a woman who will not settle to be judged solely on her skin exposure, and a woman who deserves respect nonetheless.
Sahar Babak is a senior business administration major. Letters and feedback can be sent to letters@collegian.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 403
MSA Wahabbi-lobby dossier
posted 5/09/08 @ 7:30 AM MST
In the interest of full disclosure, readers should be made aware that Sarah is listed as an executive member of the Muslim Student Association (MSA) at Colorado State. (Continued…)
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 5/09/08 @ 7:33 AM MST
Nice article Ms. Babak. I agree you deserve and get my respect. You should be able to wear and do what makes you comfortable.
I would disagree that Muslim women are not oppressed. (Continued…)
*Religion of Pus*
posted 5/09/08 @ 7:36 AM MST
The MSA Wahhabi-lobby should inform readers of what Muslim men believe their dead false prophet commanded of Muslimah, "If pus or blood comes out of your husband's nose and you lick is up, you still will not have observed all his rights. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
posted 5/09/08 @ 8:21 AM MST
http://www.islam101.com/women/hijabfaq.html
Thank You
posted 5/09/08 @ 8:25 AM MST
Great article! I really value and respect your perspective, and uphold the central values of pluralism and religious diversity that define the United States of America. (Continued…)
Registered Independent
posted 5/09/08 @ 11:47 AM MST
Outside of Appalachia, virtually no one cares whether this woman wears a headscarf or a bird's nest on her head.
What she has written in this article is simply an advertisement for both her religion, and for the supposedly superior morality of Muslin women in general. (Continued…)
EM
posted 5/09/08 @ 12:08 PM MST
You will never know true freedom until the day you experience it -- if you ever do, you poor pathetic brainwashed fool.
Lopa Hassan
posted 5/09/08 @ 1:18 PM MST
In an attempt to defend veiling, Islamic apologists all too often point their fingers to western women accusing them of reducing the definition of liberation to a right of wearing next to nothing. (Continued…)
Registered Independent
posted 5/09/08 @ 5:47 PM MST
Response to Rockraw:
Now here's a "Pro Tip" you said? Now that is really amusing.
You obviously understand very little of what you read. You're a little obtuse, in fact. (Continued…)
Registered Independent
posted 5/09/08 @ 6:48 PM MST
P.S. to Rockraw:
The Reverend Wright is simply a jackass with a podium and a chip on his shoulder.
And in your mind he is comparable to the behavior of the Islamofacists?
You are comparing Reverend Wright's obnoxious remarks, to people who video tape torturous murder? And who blew three thousand of your civilian countrymen to smithereens? And who shot dozens of elementary schoolchildren to death in Belarus? Who have been blowing up Israeli civilians on the street for 20 years? And for the past 6 years have been blowing up their fellow Moslems in Iraq by the thousands? Not to mention all over Europe?
And you think there is some sort of valid comparison there?
Proof positive that you're not capable of thinking your way out of a paper bag. (Continued…)
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