“Look, poor woman, she is submitted to her husband”, “you know, we are in a democratic country, the woman is free and you can take it off”.

These are the kinds of comments veiled women hear every day in western countries. People often think that the veil is a sign of submission, it is for them, a symbol of oppression and degradation of the woman. It may be that in some countries the veil is obligatory for women, but it must not be forgotten that many women are veiled because they wanted it. These women suffer through the comments they hear every day of their lives and which they consider it racist. I would rather say that these comments are due to ignorance and fear of the unknown.

The hijab for Muslim women carries many meanings and values. It is a symbol of modesty and privacy. Modesty is very important in Islam so the hijab is a good way to demonstrate the high level of faith.

Also, hijab in some countries is worn fashionably. In Turkey, for example, you can see scarfs in different colors and various forms. You will change your opinion on the veil!

Western countries tend to talk about human rights, democracies, and secularism. However, there is no secularism in trying to silence the religious signs of which the veil. Instead of making them disappear, we must teach them to coexist and tolerate one another.

In short, the Hijab is neither a sign of oppression or of terrorism. It’s just a piece of cloth that means a lot to the Muslim community. So, let’s respect it and support veiled women in their fight to succeed.

by: Kenza Zakary