Recently supermodel, Gigi Hadid, wore a Hijab for her cover shoot on Vogue Arabia.
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The internet has had a recent backlash over the controversial topic that proves that models are not immune to religious appropriation. And yes, I am fully aware of her prominent Palestinian heritage that conveniently seems to pop up when she does something controversial; however there are more than a few things wrong with these pictures.
We all know that Hadid is half Palestinian thanks to her blunt captions on Instagram that ensure no one calls her out for cultural appropriation. However, she only brings up her heritage when it might be convenient for her or protect her from internet backlash. Whenever she wears henna or chooses to style a hijab, her Palestinian heritage is the first thing that pops up. Where is her call to action for brutal persecution and war that has taken place in the Middle East?
The Hijab is a religious symbol, not cultural. So unless she practices regular usage of the Hijab or prays 5 times a day, then there's really no reason for her to be wearing one besides to make a fashion statement.
The Hijab is not only a symbol of faith but a symbol of courage. It's a symbol of the strength that Muslim women possess by choosing to be proud of their faith despite the current circumstances and the centuries-long religious intolerance that surrounds them. Women have been attacked, shamed, and even had their Hijab forcefully removed from their head because they believed they could be safe in a country that was built on the freedom of religion. The Hijab is more than an accessory.
Gigi Hadid is also more than a supermodel, she's an icon. Many young girls have chosen to idolize Gigi Hadid and they look up to her and her actions as guidance for their future. This isn't a problem of the fashion industry or the stylists on Vogue Arabia. Gigi Hadid chooses what message she puts out there for young girls and one of those messages should be to honor and respect the powerful image of the Hijab.
As a society, we should start viewing the Hijab as a representation of female empowerment, not oppression. A woman with a Hijab has chosen to be proud of her faith and to be brave in the harsh eyes of modern society. We need to stop normalizing the view of the Hijab as an accessory of oppression. And I don't dislike Gigi Hadid by any means, but I ask her to carefully choose what message she sends next about the Hijab.
