What is Hijab? - Hear from a Muslim Woman | Dr. Tesneem Alkiek

Summary

The video script explores the significance of the hijab for Muslim women, emphasizing it as a symbol of modesty and faith, not oppression. It challenges historical portrayals of Muslim women as victims and highlights their contributions to society, from the early Islamic period to the present. The script also addresses misconceptions, noting that many Muslim women view their faith as a catalyst for progress, as evidenced by a Gallup poll. It argues that despite societal pressures, Muslim women continue to empower themselves through their Islamic values.

Takeaways

• 👳 The hijab is an Arabic word for veil, commonly known as a headscarf, and represents modesty in Muslim women's attire.
• 🕌 Modesty is a value shared by both Muslim men and women, with specific dress codes to maintain dignity and decorum.
• 🤔 The reasons for Muslim women wearing the hijab are varied, including religious obligation, expressing faith, and rejecting societal objectification.
• 🌐 The hijab has been misconstrued as a symbol of oppression, rooted in historical portrayals of Muslim women as victims.
• 🏰 This portrayal has been used to justify military interventions, imperialism, and the denial of rights to Muslims globally.
• 📢 Despite attempts to silence them, Muslim women assert their commitment to wearing the hijab as an act of empowerment.
• 📊 A 2008 Gallup poll showed that the majority of Muslim women see Islam as crucial to their progress, not a hindrance.
• 🌟 Muslim women have a history of powerful legacies, contributing significantly to society through their scholarship and reform efforts.
• 📚 From the wife of the Prophet, Aisha, to scholars like Sustain Muhammad, Muslim women have been influential figures in academia and societal reform.
• 🌍 The focus of Muslim women, as per their Islamic values, is not on how they are perceived but on how they can change societal perceptions.

Q & A

What is the meaning of the term 'hijab'?

The term 'hijab' is an Arabic word that means veil. It is commonly known as a headscarf and refers to the covering worn by some Muslim women.

What does the term 'burka' refer to?

The term 'burka' refers to a type of covering that extends to the entire body, including the face, worn by some Muslim women.

What is the general purpose of wearing a hijab or burka?

The general purpose of wearing a hijab or burka is to embody modesty and character, which is a value shared by both Muslim men and women.

Why do some Muslim women choose to wear the hijab?

Some Muslim women choose to wear the hijab as a fulfillment of a religious commandment, an outward expression of their faith, or as a rejection of societal standards that objectify and sexualize women.

How do men in Islam also demonstrate modesty in their attire?

While men in Islam are not obligated to cover their entire bodies, they have specific requirements for dress and behavior that must be dignified and modest.

Why is the hijab sometimes portrayed as a symbol of oppression?

The portrayal of the hijab as a symbol of oppression stems from historical narratives that portray Muslim women as veiled, secluded, and oppressed, which has been used to justify military intervention and imperialism.

What are some of the negative consequences of this portrayal of Muslim women?

This portrayal has been used to deny Muslims political and human rights, justify racial profiling, deportations, and other forms of discrimination on a local and regional level.

How do Muslim women's voices often get silenced despite their commitment to wearing the hijab?

Despite their clear act of empowerment, Muslim women who voice their commitment to wearing the hijab are often told that they are oppressed and do not recognize their cultural backwardness and indoctrination.

What did the Gallup poll of 50,000 Muslims from 35 countries in 2008 reveal about Muslim women's views on Islam?

The poll revealed that the majority of Muslim women do not see Islam as a hindrance but rather as crucial to their progress.

Can you provide examples of powerful legacies created by Muslim women throughout history?

Examples include Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, who was a critical voice of scholarship in the 7th century, Fatima al-Fihri, who funded and built the world's first university in the 9th century, and Sustain Muhammad, an expert arithmetician in the 10th century.

Outlines

00:00

🧕 The Hijab: Modesty and Expression of Faith

This paragraph discusses the reasons behind Muslim women wearing the hijab, which is an Arabic word for veil. It is worn to embody modesty and character, not just by women but also by men in their own ways. The hijab is often misunderstood as a symbol of oppression, but in reality, it is a choice made by many Muslim women to fulfill a religious commandment, express their faith, or reject societal objectification. Historical portrayals of Muslim women as oppressed have been used to justify military interventions and imperialism, but these narratives are challenged by the voices of Muslim women who see their faith as crucial to their progress.

🌐 The Misrepresentation of Muslim Women

This paragraph delves into the historical and ongoing misrepresentation of Muslim women as victims of an oppressive culture. It highlights how this portrayal has been used to justify military actions and imperialism, as well as to deny political and human rights to Muslims. Despite attempts to silence them, Muslim women have historically been powerful contributors to society, from the wife of the Prophet in the 7th century to numerous female scholars and reformers. The paragraph emphasizes the irony of Muslim women being seen as oppressed despite their significant historical and ongoing contributions.

Keywords

💡Hijab

The term 'Hijab' is an Arabic word that refers to a veil or headscarf. In the context of the video, it is used to describe the practice of Muslim women covering their hair and body, with some exceptions like the face and hands. The script emphasizes that wearing the hijab is often a personal choice rooted in religious beliefs and a desire for modesty. It is also noted that the hijab can be a symbol of empowerment and a way to express one's faith outwardly.

💡Burka

A 'Burka' is a type of clothing that covers the entire body, including the face. The video script mentions the burka in contrast to the hijab, highlighting that the burka extends the covering to the face. This distinction is important as it shows the range of practices in Muslim women's attire and the varying degrees of modesty they choose to embody.

💡Nyqob

The term 'Nyqob' is used in the script to describe a form of Islamic dress that covers the entire body, similar to the burka. It is mentioned alongside the burka to illustrate the different types of coverings that Muslim women might choose, emphasizing the diversity in how modesty is expressed through clothing.

💡Active veiling

The concept of 'active veiling' in the video refers to the intentional act of covering oneself in accordance with Islamic principles of modesty. It is not merely a passive act but a conscious choice to embody modesty and character. This is a key theme in the video, as it challenges the stereotype that veiling is imposed rather than chosen.

💡Modesty

In the video, 'modesty' is a central theme, particularly in relation to how Muslim women choose to dress. The script discusses how modesty is not only a religious requirement but also a personal value that extends to both men and women in Islam. Modesty is portrayed as a virtue that influences behavior and dress, beyond just the act of veiling.

💡Objectification

The script addresses the issue of 'objectification' as a societal standard that Muslim women often reject by choosing to wear the hijab. It suggests that veiling can be a response to the sexualization and objectification of women in many cultures, offering a counter-narrative to the dominant norms.

💡Oppression

The term 'oppression' is used in the video to challenge the common misconception that the hijab is a symbol of oppression. The script argues that the portrayal of Muslim women as oppressed has been historically used to justify imperialism and other forms of discrimination. It also highlights the irony of dismissing the voices of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab as a form of empowerment.

💡Empowerment

The concept of 'empowerment' is highlighted in the video as a reason why some Muslim women choose to wear the hijab. It is presented as a form of self-expression and a way to assert control over one's own identity, rather than being a symbol of subservience or oppression.

💡Islam

The script discusses 'Islam' as a religion that influences the attire and behavior of its followers, particularly in terms of modesty. It emphasizes that the hijab is often worn as a fulfillment of religious commandments and as a way to express one's faith in a visible manner.

💡Cultural backwardness

The phrase 'cultural backwardness' is used in the video to describe the stereotype that Muslim women are often accused of being part of a regressive culture. The script refutes this notion by pointing out the achievements of Muslim women throughout history and their contributions to society, which are often overlooked or dismissed.

💡Historical contributions

The video script mentions the 'historical contributions' of Muslim women to illustrate that their influence extends beyond their attire. Examples given include the wife of the Prophet Muhammad, Aisha, who was a critical voice of scholarship, and other female scholars and reformers who have made significant contributions to various fields.

Highlights

The hijab is an Arabic word for veil, commonly known as a headscarf, and represents modesty in Muslim culture.

Muslim women may cover their hair and body as an expression of their faith and to fulfill a religious commandment.

Men in Islam also have dress and behavior requirements that emphasize dignity and modesty, though not as extensive as covering their entire bodies.

The portrayal of Muslim women as oppressed due to veiling has historical roots and has been used to justify military intervention and imperialism.

The media often silences Muslim women's voices and misinterprets their choice to wear the hijab as a sign of oppression rather than empowerment.

A Gallup poll in 2008 showed that the majority of Muslim women do not see Islam as a hindrance but as crucial to their progress.

Muslim women have historically made significant contributions to society, including in scholarship and reform.

Ayesha, the wife of the Prophet, was a critical voice of scholarship in the 7th century.

Faltermun Fiddy funded and built the world's first university in the 9th century.

Sustain Muhammad was an expert arithmetician in the 10th century, showcasing Muslim women's contributions to mathematics.

The hijab is often misunderstood as a symbol of oppression, despite being a choice made by many Muslim women for various reasons.

The reasons for wearing the hijab are diverse, including religious obligation, personal faith expression, and a rejection of societal objectification.

Women from other religious backgrounds also choose to cover for similar reasons, indicating a broader cultural and religious practice.

The narrative of the 'oppressed Muslim woman' has been used to justify racial profiling, deportations, and the denial of political and human rights.

Despite the challenges, Muslim women continue to empower themselves and redefine societal perceptions through their Islamic values.

The transcript emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural and religious context behind the hijab rather than perpetuating stereotypes.

Transcripts

what goes through your mind when you see

a muslim woman in a headscarf have you

ever wondered why she might wear one

if so you're not alone the hijab is an

arabic word that means veil

but you might simply know it as

headscarf or more generally when a

muslim woman covers her hair and body

with a few exceptions like face and

hands

the burka and nyqob on the other hand is

when that covering is extended to the

entire body including the face in any

case the active veiling boils down to a

desire to embody modest stress and

character

and that of course goes to every muslim

yes men too while men may not have the

obligation of covering their entire

bodies

they too have specific requirements of

dress and behavior that must be

dignified and modest so if you've ever

wondered why do muslim women cover in

the first place

it's often simply that

for many muslim women the hijab is worn

out of a desire to fulfill a commandment

of god for others it can also be an

opportunity to outwardly express their

muslim faith

and for still some more it's a rejection

of societal standards that constantly

objectify and sexualize women these

reasons of which there are many more are

some of the same reasons women from

other cultural and religious backgrounds

like a number of orthodox jews and

christians also choose to cover so why

is it that the hijab is made out to be

some horrific symbol of oppression

well you don't have to look too far back

into history to find out for centuries

muslim women have been portrayed as

veiled secluded and oppressed

we're merely victims of a barbaric

religion in need of being rescued this

portrayal of the muslim woman is by no

means coincidental

by creating the story of the poor

helpless muslim woman locked in an

oppressive culture

one is naturally inclined to feel pity

sympathy and outrage and it's these very

emotions that have been used to justify

military intervention and imperialism on

a global scale for well over a century

and on top of it that same imagery is

used to deny muslims political and human

rights justifying racial profiling

deportations and so much more on a local

and regional level the irony of it all

is that even when muslim women speak up

and voice their commitment to wearing

the hijab their voices time and again

are silenced and despite this clear act

of empowerment these same women are told

no no you say liberation but we see the

oppression in your eyes

you just don't recognize how immersed

you are in your cultural backwardness

and indoctrination but the facts speak

for themselves

in 2008 gallup conducted a poll of 50

000 muslims from 35 countries

the results

the majority of muslim women don't see

islam as a hindrance

on the flip side they see it as crucial

to their progress and reality testifies

to this

muslim women both today and throughout

history have created incredibly powerful

legacies from as early as the wife of

the prophet peace be upon him ayesha in

the seventh century who was a critical

voice of scholarship

to women like faltermun fiddy in the 9th

century who funded and built the world's

first university

to sustain muhammad in the 10th century

an expert arithmetician

and the countless female scholars and

reformers that followed muslim women

have not simply contributed to society

at large despite their decision to cover

but by virtue of their islamic values

that have allowed them to focus not on

how the world perceives them

but on how they can alter perceptions in

the world

you