| Probably the most commonly asked questions in my life are those that deal with the thing on my head, which no, is not a babushka, turban towel, drew rag, or bandanna. And no, I�m not bald, don�t have cancer, and yes, I�m hot when it�s ninety degrees out and eggs are frying on the sidewalk, but so are you. So in the hope of answering your questions once and for all, I�m writing this editorial. First of all, my father doesn�t beat me with chains if I don�t wear my scarf; in fact, I chose to wear a scarf in sixth grade despite my parents� strong opposition. Since then, I have been faced with many of the stereotypical questions and comments described above. I have overcome a series of challenges, but know that it was well worth it. My scarf has become a part of me, not in the sense that it�s glued to my head, but in the sense that it has given me a feeling of satisfaction which no mini skirt or daisy dukes could ever provide. In society which teaches females to judge themselves as mere sex objects, it it clearly understandable that people find it hard to believe that I choose to cover my body rather than flaunt it. With commercials, radio songs, and magazines constantly assuring females that the only way they can be accepted is by how well they �strut their stuff.� I can see how the �old fashioned� idea of modesty has little if any value. Friends of mine constantly pester me to take off my scarf, �wear something tight�expose myself.� It�s sad to see that society is right back where it started since day one, with the discrimination of women, who are judged as �a collection of parts.� When I chose to cover myself, I was making what I feel was not an oppressive choice, but rather a liberating decision; a resolution to be recognized as a human being; a choice to present myself to the public in a respectable fashion, in which there is not a doubt in my mind whether people are comparing my physique to that of the next girl. The modesty advocated by my scarf, loose long sleeves, and floor length skirt or pants does not reduce me to just another object to be subjected to the judgment of others, but elevates me to a higher level, where people see me as a human being. Since I started wearing a scarf, boys and girls alike have treated me with a sense of respect. Despite the irritating comments that I�ve grown accustomed to, I have never been the object of demeaning comments which many of my friends face like �Hey sexy�you�re so fine�looking good�check her out,� and the list continues. Islam�s promotion of covering everything except the face and hands in front of non-related men gives me a feeling of respect, protection, and dignity. |
| That Thing on My Head By Nura Jandali (published in The Muslim Magazine - 1998) |