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I wear a hijab – why should that veil my right to equality?

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Aysha Anam
Aysha AnamMay 23, 2018 | 20:32

I wear a hijab – why should that veil my right to equality?

A student in Mumbai has been stopped from attending classes, taking exams, for wearing a headscarf.

Within one week’s time, I have heard of two cases against women wearing a hijab – this is quite disturbing for me because I also wear one.

These cases are fairly regular in the West; the other day, I saw a video online of a woman in California fighting to just sip a cup of coffee calmly in a public space – her presence was “bothering” a man who was verbally assaulting and shaming her religion. But then, she was supported by the authorities in the cafe.

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In contrast, such cases are rare in India. The Constitution of our country, in fact, supports women who wear the hijab.

Therefore, it is very depressing to learn of a case in Mumbai, where a girl was barred from attending the Sai Homeopathic Medical College in Bhiwandi reportedly because she wears a hijab – in this case, the college authorities themselves apparently think that a woman who wears a hijab should not attend classes or give exams.

Modest dress doesn't mean zero aspirations

I appeal to all the people in this country to not be afraid of women who wear a hijab. Firstly, a hijab is just a piece of cloth, it is not going to harm anyone. I still recollect the time when I started wearing my hijab. It was peculiar how everybody would look at me. I could only console myself saying that God had created this world for everyone, and I was a part of this world. I am no less than anyone - rather, I am quite special in that I choose not to look attractive in a glam world.

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My hijab is just a piece of cloth, it is not going to hurt you. Photo: Reuters
My hijab is just a piece of cloth, it is not going to hurt you. Photo: Reuters

A couple of years ago, I learnt that wearing hijab was compulsory in Islam. While reading the second chapter of the holy book Quran, I learnt that Muslim women should cover their head and chest. I personally believed in those words. It brought peace to my soul and I am sure the people around me were equally peaceful at my sense of repose.

With time, I have developed a special relationship with my hijab – so much so that I cannot even think about removing it in my dreams. I see all colours of emotion in the eyes of people around me – hatred, honour, humility – curiosity, but nothing in this world can change my mind about my hijab.

If someone forces me to take it off, it would be harassment. Since I am an independent working woman, I can easily switch jobs if someone at work dares to question my hijab. But what about a girl who is bang in the middle of an academic session in a college? what should she do?

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The Bhiwandi girl, who has now moved the Bombay high court, had appealed to the Union Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Sidda and Homeopathy) in January last year to resolve the issue.

The ministry had told the college it “cannot compel a student to not wear the hijab since it is disrespect to social justice.”

However, despite the girl receiving support from the ministry and the High Court, the college is apparently not ready to abide by their orders. Rather, it is playing games with the student by not letting her sit for her exam, which will ultimately hamper her degree, time and qualification.

The irony is that she has been told her attendance is too low. The reason for her attendance even falling short is that she was reportedly barred from classes due to her hijab.

Isn’t this case a serious flaw in our administration?

Instead of studying, the girl had to run about, getting an order from the High Court to sit for repeat classes, only to get trapped again.

Why is it so difficult for the High Court, the college and the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences to sit down together and solve the student’s case at once? Why does a woman have to pay a hefty price, simply to wear her hijab, with her education and time? Is this maybe because she is a Muslim?

I am not getting cynical here, but I never saw nuns in my Christian missionary school being questioned for covering their heads. Every morning, I waste extra time with the security in the metro to get my bag checked, while I know that Sikhs have the privilege to carry a dagger with them if they want.

Actor Lindsay Lohan has said she felt 'racially profiled for the first time in my life' when she was sporting a hijab. Photo: Instagram
Actor Lindsay Lohan has said she felt 'racially profiled for the first time in my life' when she was sporting a hijab. Photo: Instagram

I again question my identity and religion then. The only answer I get is: if the authorities can put an actress like Lindsay Lohan, who is not even a Muslim, under scrutiny for wearing a hijab, then who am I?

 “I was wearing a headscarf and I got stopped at the airport and racially profiled for the first time in my life,” Lohan has been quoted as saying. “She opened my passport and saw “Lindsay Lohan” and started immediately apologising but then said, “Please take off your head scarf,”” she said.

But the truth is, my hijab is not going to bite you. Simply wearing a headscarf does not mean you are a violent or negative person. It certainly should not mean that you can be deprived of the right to attend classes, take exams, earn your degree.

If a group of people are spreading false propaganda against Islam, start thinking critically instead of perceiving their view unquestioningly as right. Everyone who wears a headscarf is not a terrorist. Actually, no criminal accepts their crime in public. If ISIS harms people, it is doing so for someone who is in the dark. It has nothing to do with Muslims or Islam.

I am not ashamed of my religion or attire; I pity the small minds who cannot read between the lines. And who won't let a Muslim woman read educating lines either, simply because she chooses to cover her head.

Last updated: May 23, 2018 | 20:33
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