Hijabed For A Day

My American mother asked me to wear a hijab for a day and write about it. So yesterday, I wore a hijab for a day, and now I'm writing about it. 

The Hijab is worn by Muslim women to cover their head, hair, ears, and neck. Girls typically start wearing them when they become a woman (get their period). Basically, at that point, you can only show your face and your hands. You can wear and do whatever around all women. Men in your family can also see your hair. Supposedly, a woman also shouldn't wear pants, tight clothes or nail polish (I skipped out of this rule).

For Muslims, the hijab represents modesty and appropriateness. As my friend puts it: "...by doing all of this people will judge me by my personality and actions. Not physical appearance. It's all about my inner beauty. And because by wearing tight close and such can attract unwanted attention if you know what I mean."

 At a party, this appropriateness and modesty extends to dancing, which you should avoid doing while you're hijabed (i.e. wearing a hijab). I broke this rule too. 

For Muslims, the hijab is also a symbol of submission and love to God. Some Muslims believe that men play a major role in enforcing this practice, while others disagree. (In Islam, like in any religion, people have different opinions.)

Putting on a hijab is hard, and I couldn't do it by myself. So at about 8:30 a.m., my host mom "hijabed" me. At about 8:45 p.m. it fell off and I couldn't fix it. 

Here's what happened, how I felt, and what I learned in those twelve hours and fifteen minutes…

What Happened

I expected two things to happen: 1. People would ask about my hijab and 2. I would feel awkward when they did. I did not expect 1. To be congratulated and 2. To be told I looked good. 

Throughout the day, I wore a sign around my neck saying, "I'm wearing a hijab for a project." I thought this would get people to not ask me, but instead they just asked me what the project was. Most of these interactions were super supportive. One person said that my mom was awesome for asking me to do this.

Compliments came in from both friends and acquaintances. Lots of people said I looked nice, and some people even said, "Congratulations!" It was as if I got a job or graduated. This is because, to them, wearing a hijab is a good thing like graduating or getting a job. 

When it started coming undone at a party later that night, I finally just took it off.

How I Felt

Taking it off felt AMAZING, mainly because I was dancing and it was hot. In general, though, wearing the hijab wasn't bad. However, I definitely didn't love it. 

I didn't like worrying about my skin or hair showing. I didn't like sharp objects (pins) so close to my head. I didn't like wearing long sleeves in hot weather. And although I liked not worrying about how my hair looked that day, I hated the idea of always hiding it. I love my thick, dark hair. It gives me self-confidence, and without it, I just didn't look like myself.

I also won the superlative for best hair in my ASMUN council. The second they announced I won I wanted to rip the hijab off right then and there. (But I didn't). 

Best hair in ECOSOC

What I learned

1. Hijabed women are strong and proud. Not only are they proudly displaying their religion (sometimes in places that are prejudiced against it), but they're putting up with the discomforts that come along with covering your head every day in the heat, wind, etc.

2. On a similar note, wearing a hijab takes a lot of self-discipline. There were times when I really wanted to take it off sometimes, but I didn't.

3. If a man wears a hijab, he is considered to be cross-dressing. (This is something I realized more than learned). 

4. Putting on a hijab is a lot harder than it looks, especially when it's the same slippery material that mine was made of.

5. Wearing a hijab didn't change me as a person. The hijab hid my hair, but it didn't hide my personality. I was still the smart, weird, goofy, open-minded, excitable, chocolate milk loving, barely bilingual exchange student that I am. I was still Corie.

Conclusion

Wearing a hijab was challenging and strange. While I appreciate modesty and displays, there are some things I don't agree with. Personally, I believe that everyone should be able to do whatever they want as long as they aren't hurting anyone else. And I don't think the presence of boys should dictate what I can and cannot do. As a girl, I should be free to dress and act as I please (as long as I'm not hurting anyone) and not have worries about what other people think. Of course, these ideologies of mine obviously come from my Western background.

All in all, the hijab project was a great experience. I won't start wearing one regularly, but I will try it again...in America.

It's not about what's on your head. It's about what's in your heart.

Learn something today. 

Byeeee

Corie.