In the wake of proposed bans and rebellious actions, many people are continuously either fighting the implementation of hijab or defending its use. Many countries, such as the Netherlands and France, are fighting to implement a ban on traditional Islamic dress, in order to “fight Sharia law” and prevent it from taking hold in their countries. These proposals were met with backlash, with many turning to twitter and other forms of social media to voice their opinions on the matter. And although Muslims appreciated the support, there was little talk of the extreme opposite- people forcing women to wear the hijab.
Forcing Muslim women to wear the hijab is just as bad as forcing them to remove it. They have little to no say in both extremes and are given a dress code that they may not accept. This example isn’t just seen in countries across the world that are dominated by a conservative Muslim government, however. There are many examples in the US, only it’s seen at a much smaller scale. Families will pressure their daughters to wear the hijab- with some girls being as young as nine or ten- to fulfill their uber-conservative expectations. These girls may fully accept the hijab at an older age, but is it fair to force them into it? Putting on the hijab should be a process, with the girls thoroughly thinking the decision through on their own, and with their parents, before wearing it full time.
For some girls who wear it, a few eventually do decide on removing the hijab indefinitely. And this is okay, and should be viewed as okay- it is their business, and theirs alone. The people who harass and make fun of those who removed the hijab are never put in the same position as them and do not understand the extent of her experiences.
Every hijabi has a different experience and relationship with her hijab, so people shouldn’t butt in to voice their own opinions on something they have nothing to do with (especially if they don’t wear the hijab themselves). And this idea extends to those Muslim women who never wore the hijab and don’t plan on doing so. Whatever these girls do is between them and God, not between them and half of Muslim twitter.
We as a community should support our sisters (regardless of what they decide to wear), not tear them down to further our on egos. Our opinions and ideas aren’t necessary because they have the right to choose what they do with their lives without our constant interference.
