Panel discusses relationship between women's rights and the hijab

Last Thursday Hopkins Identity and the Muslim Student Association (MSA) hosted a panel discussion on the hijab, a headscarf or covering sometimes worn by Muslim women.

"Unveiling the Mystery: A Panel Discussion on the Hijab" featured two Muslim students, junior Nora Ali and senior Affan Sheikh, and anthropology professor Niloofar Haeri. 

They addressed a full audience in the Charles Commons Ballroom. Approximately 75 to 80 students attended. 

"We planned for under 50 people to come," Identity Secretary Jennifer Walton said. "We did not expect the turnout we got, but we were really excited by it."

Each of the speakers began by describing their individual experiences related to the hijab and addressing some of the controversy that surrounds its use. Afterwards, they held a question and answer session.

One of the key points Haeri brought up was that head coverings and modest clothing were the norm around the world before the 19th century.

"The idea of covering one's head . . . really has little to do with Islam," she said.

In many religions, covering the head was long considered a sign of modesty, she explained. 

However, in the primarily Christian or Jewish West, the rise of capitalism and secular influence led to a decreased emphasis on some traditions, such as the use of a headscarf.

"Everything concerning Islam has become so politicized," she said. "But really, asking someone why they wear the hijab is like asking them 'Why do you want to be modest?' . . . and modesty is a very central part of being a good Muslim."

Ali brought a unique viewpoint to the panel, given that she decided a little over a year ago to begin wearing the hijab.

"If you had asked me a couple years ago if I would ever wear the hijab . . . I probably would have laughed," she said.

She explained that although her family was Muslim, they had not been particularly strict in her upbringing and that she had only really started practicing for herself a year and a half ago.

Ali said that her decision to wear the hijab has altered her relationship with her religion.

"It makes me more conscious of God at all times," she said.

However, it has also impacted her interpersonal relationships.

"Once I started wearing it, I realized people would look at me as an example of a Muslim woman . . . I'm representing three minorities — blacks, Muslims and women — and I need to represent them all well," she said.

Sheikh spoke of his experience with family members' choices about the hijab. His younger sister does not wear one, but his aunt does.

"Wearing the hijab is a personal choice," he said. "The way I see it, your religion is your own personal relationship with God."

Sheikh also touched upon one of the political issues commonly associated with the hijab.

"That's not the case in all countries . . . but that seems to be more of a cultural thing than something strictly related to the practice of Islam."

One of the early questions from the audience was what caused some Westerners to associate the hijab with potential terrorist activity.

Sheikh pointed out that "It's a visual symbol of the religion, and after 9/11 there has been a stigma associated with Islam."

Haeri added, "It's a connection that has been in the making for quite some time."

Another attendee asked about the way some Westerners associate the hijab with oppression of women and whether that idea had any legitimacy.

"You cannot rule out cases where a woman is forced, but to stereotype that is to oversimplify the matter," Haeri said.

Audience members seemed engaged and interested in the discussion.

"I think it was a great event," freshman Christina Rohrman said. "I've lived in Jerusalem, and I wanted to hear viewpoints on the hijab."

Sophomore Natalie Stewart also spoke positively about the event.

"I'm an IR major with a focus on the Middle East," she explained. "There are not a lot of classes here on the Middle East, though, so I like to get information any way I can."

"I wanted to hear from a Hopkins perspective. I haven't heard much in the way of candid discourse on religion here, but I thought I would if I came to this event and in fact I did," sophomore Moshe Bildner said.

Sophomore Alex Hittman added, "I just wanted to know more. It's a topic of lot of people in the U.S. don't understand."

Although Ali said that the idea for the panel simply surfaced in the course of a discussion with other Identity members, Walton and Haeri both credited her for their involvement.

"I think Nora [Ali] brought it up and we just sort of took it and ran with it," Walton said.

"Nora convinced me to join this panel," Haeri said. "Normally I run away from talking about the hijab [due to the politicizing of the issue]."