Hijab Significance

06/09/2022

Growing up as a Sudanese-Kiwi, I have always been surrounded by strong, well accomplished women who wear colourful patterned scarves around their dark, curly thick hair. These scarves embody everything that I love about my African heritage. Not only are they pretty, but they represent thousands of years of tradition and culture.

Most people in the Western world would associate the hijab to the headpiece alone, however there is so much more to being a hijabi than just the scarf that is wrapped around our heads. The literal translation for the hijab is to cover and can be more accurately described as a set of codes that represent privacy, modesty and morality. The Western world’s interpretation of the hijab has facilitated mainstream assumptions that women wearing the hijab (also known as ‘hijabis’) are being “oppressed” and “desexualised”. One thing that really frustrates me is that sometimes I feel as though I have been placed in a box when people expect me to behave and think in a certain way just because of the way that I have chosen to cover myself. 

These beliefs that have been so ingrained in society have the power to put Muslim women at risk of physical abuse, as many attacks against hijabi women are rooted in this same bigotry. In schools, universities, and workplaces around the world, many women live in fear of being treated differently or even assaulted because of their religion or headscarf. One that hits very close to home is the incident that happened at the beginning of this year at Otago Girls’ High School. Unfortunately, stories like Hoda’s are far from rare and no longer come as a surprise to us which is awful. 

The truth is, many people don’t actually know the significance of the hijab which could lead to why it is so misunderstood and why people are so afraid of it. What does the hijab mean? It is important to realise the hijab means something different to every Muslim woman. We could be wearing it for a number of different reasons, however, the fact remains that it is something personal and symbolises our relationship with Allah (God). Because the topic and question is so broad, it is hard to speak for all. If I were to speak for myself I would say that it is quite hard for me to narrow it down to one word because the hijab means so much to me. It is my Ibadaah (devotion to worship Allah), my pride, beauty, strength and my identity. It represents unity and my connection with fellow Muslim sisters. But above all, it represents ‘love’. Love for my creator, love for the freedom and respect that comes with wearing the hijab, and how I have grown to love myself through this act of worship. My hijab is not just a headscarf but also my shield. I’ve always felt empowered and determined to achieve the impossible and have never allowed it to become an excuse for me to not chase after my goals. 

I strongly believe that every woman who has embraced wearing the hijab has taken her own path and has a unique story to tell. For every hijabi that is struggling or any Muslim women that are wanting to put it on, take it step-by-step and just know that everyone has their own unique journey with Islam and the hijab.

What are some ways that you can approach the hijab in the future in a medical professional manner? Or provide best practices? It is important to challenge our own notion of the hijab and try to not place hijabis into a box. One of the best things to do is to never assume. If you’re unsure, please ask! By asking you are able to give the person a chance to place the ball back in their park and will ultimately strengthen the relationship between the patient and health practitioner. Providing spaces in workplaces for hijabis to voice their opinion freely without judgement or restraint will help make hijabis more comfortable in their work environment. Understanding that we might be limited as to how we interact with the opposite gender, or that we might need to leave for a short while during the day to complete our daily prayers.  

If you have any questions about the hijab, don’t shy away from asking your hijabi sisters! The more we are open to learn more from each other, the more understanding we become

Salma Abdalla, Women in Health Network | Otago Pharmacy Specialty Lead 2022