The hijab is one of the most controversial topics in the world and sparks several debates, despite it simply being a garment that women choose to wear. Somehow the female body is always targeted in politics and is prone to harsh laws across the globe. Women who wear the hijab (the veil) are told to take it off, while women who do not wear it are often pressured into putting it on. Some Muslims may make the argument that the hijab is a "requirement" in Islam while others believe that it is not an obligation, but just an extra garment that people wear to appear more modest. The argument that I am going to make is that, although with my interpretation of Islam it seems that the hijab shows an extra form of dedication but is not a requirement, I will fully support anyone who chooses to wear it. It is religious freedom and anyone can choose to practice whatever form of religion they wish, as long as these views are not related to the proliferation of violence. My views about the hijab have changed over time, and through my personal experience/narrative, I will guide my opinion.

Is The Hijab A Requirement?

The hijab is open to interpretation and there is no right answer to this question. Here are verses from the Koran:

“Say to the believing women that: they should cast down their glances and guard their private parts (by being chaste)…”

"...and not display their beauty except what is apparent, and they should place their khumur over their bosoms...”

The "khumur" is the head veil that women in Pre-Islamic times would wear to cover their hair. During this period, many women would cover their heads rather than covering their breasts or private areas. This verse from the Koran suggests that it is recommended for women to cover the breast area (placing the khumur over their bosoms) in order to protect themselves from objectification; meaning the female body is not meant for the eyes of just any male. It was not until the Ottoman Empire that the formal "head covering" was popularized. If women disguise or guard themselves, the less likely they are to be approached without consent by violent and unknown men who may take advantage of their beauty. For many women who choose to wear the full head covering, the hijab is not a form of submissiveness but empowerment and personal freedom. A part of being modest or humble is guarding one's beauty. Although some Muslims believe that the hijab means covering both the hair and the breast area, others may believe that the hijab means simply transporting what one would wear on their heads to instead placing it over their breasts to hide their beauty from the gazes of men.

Within these two pictures, the women are wearing a form of "hijab" or covering, although many people will try to make the argument that either one of them is wearing it improperly. I personally believe that modesty is more in being humble in character than it is about dress code, and this overarching theme is something you can also find in the Koran. So although the full head scarf is recommended, it may not be a requirement according to whoever's interpretation of Koranic text you are willing to believe.

The Controversy in France

Recently in France, the burkini—which is basically a burqa (a full body covering) in the form of a bathing suit—was banned. Muslim women who choose to fully cover up their bodies on the beach to practice their faith and modesty are no longer capable of doing so. It was specified that burkinis, and not full body suits (that several men wear) be banned, so this law seemed to specifically target Muslim women. What is ironic about the hijab ban is that several European countries that have infringed upon the rights of Muslims were also the ones that supported regimes of individuals who had been forcing the veil upon women. Otherwise, in order to colonize lands, radical religious clerics were often consulted by colonists. France has had a bad reputation with the religious freedom of Muslim women, even banning the wearing of the hijab in schools and public and private fields. France has a 10% Muslim population, which is considerably huge compared to the rest of Europe. Xenophobia of North African Muslims in France is strong due to the French colonization of Algeria. French Muslim communities are also impoverished on a grand scale. France has also contributed to the war on terror by aligning with the U.S. and because it is in close proximity to Middle Eastern nations, there is constant tension between the Muslim community and the government of France. In order to stifle the growth of terrorism, the French government believes that the Muslim faith itself must be stifled, as if Islam (and not Middle Eastern politics and Western rivalry) is the cause of terrorism. France likes to claim that it wants the country to be "modern" and "secular" and that somehow Islam is an old religion that is not compatible to modern times. Because women are seen as "inferior" to men, it is deemed that female body and sexuality must be controlled by men, which is outrageous. In order to stifle Muslims from practicing their faith, which is a human right, women are constantly targeted.

My Personal Experience

I decided to wear the hijab when I was a freshman in high school. There was a plethora of reasons as to why I wanted to wear it.

1. I wanted to become closer to God and not get distracted by materialistic things; thus I started focusing on modesty, which is a huge part of Islam.

2. I wanted to show people that I am Muslim and I am proud. In a place where Muslims are stereotyped as terrorists and incarcerated and interrogated unjustly, I wanted to prove that I am not afraid of showing my identity, and I am a peaceful Muslim. This was my political stance.

3. I had once believed that wearing the hijab was a requirement in Islam.

However, wearing the hijab has its pros and cons. On the one hand, there are people constantly dictating how women should wear the hijab. Extremist Muslims would constantly tell me that I wore mine too loosely or was not taking my religion seriously; that if I am going to wear it improperly I "might as well not wear it." There were also unrealistic expectations for how the character of hijabis should be. Women who wear the hijab are often expected to not date, not get body piercings, not drink, not smoke and not be too outspoken, which can be a lot to deal with right when the change of wearing a hijab occurs. The idea of a "perfect Muslim" and what is a sin in the Muslim community must be reevaluated. Hijabis are expected to be the "perfect Muslims. Of course there is also Islamaphobia associated with the wearing of a hijab; people glare, give dirty looks, or even make the cross sign upon seeing your appearance.

On the other hand, a pro is that more people recognize that you are a Muslim and they appreciate your dedication. The hijab also helps to lure men away from sexualizing women, although wearing the hijab is not always a fool proof plan. My decision to take the hijab off occurred for various reasons; the pressure was one of them, but it was also the idea that I did not need to wear a hijab to be a "pious Muslim," and that so far has had a lasting effect.

Should We Able To Dictate What Women Wear?

Overall, wearing a hijab should be a personal decision that women make. Women should be able to interpret Islam the way they want to—whether they believe the hijab is a suggestion or a requirement. Women who do not wear the hijab are not anymore inferior than women who do. In order to stop terrorism, we should stop using women as pawns. Global terrorism is merely a symptom of political unrest and not a result of Islam as a whole. Whether a woman chooses to cover up or not should be her decision only.