Muslim Women on the Veil (Published 2015) (2024)

To some, a Muslim head scarf represents patriarchal oppression in a backward society. To others, it symbolizes modesty, identity and respect for a higher being.

After Suzanne Daley and Alissa J. Rubin reported on the struggles women in France face as a result of prejudices and laws there restricting the wearing of veils, more than 1,000 New York Times readers shared their opinions on this particularly sensitive and divisive subject in the comments of the article and on Twitter and Facebook.

Among those voices were about two dozen Muslim women for whom this subject is deeply personal. These women explained why they have chosen to veil or not. They talked about how they were influenced by where they grew up, and how the decision has affected their education, careers and interactions with others.

For almost all of these women, it was a matter of personal choice.

Here is a selection of their responses. They have been edited and condensed for clarity.

“My veil has never stopped me from doing anything”

I am an Indian-American Muslim girl living in the Dallas area who attends college. I chose to start wearing the veil three years ago, even though the girls in my family don’t. I chose to wear it myself after I studied Islam and thought it was a beautiful way to express my love for my religion and nothing more.

I’m an active student who participates in all sorts of college and volunteer activities. My veil has never stopped me from doing anything, and I refuse to let people’s stares and comments get to me. I’m only using my freedom of choice and expression, and I have every right to express my belief in this way as long as it’s not violating anyone else’s rights.

I have discussed my veil greatly with professors, and I believe it’s wrong to force anyone to wear it as well as to force anyone to remove it. You’re taking away an individual’s right to her religious freedom.

My mother doesn’t wear it, and neither would I ask her to, as I’m happy with whatever way she chooses to express herself. I believe this should apply to everyone. It’s a piece of cloth for God’s sake. What harm does it cause anyone? Only narrow-minded and uninformed views cause harm to a society.

I pray people become more accepting and respectful of those who are just peacefully expressing their religious beliefs.

— Sadiya Patel in Dallas

“God exists on the inside”

I am a Muslim woman, and I have never worn a veil, nor has my mother or her sisters. This has not been out of any societal pressure — my mom and sisters were born and raised in a Muslim country where many women do wear the veil — but because while we are devoted to Islam, we believe that God exists on the inside and not in outward symbols that are too often thwarted and perverted by political interests.

I certainly respect the right of Muslim women to wear the veil if they choose. But my grandfather, who was born during days of the Ottoman Empire, never saw it necessary for his four daughters to wear the veil, and if that was good enough for him then, then I think it should be good enough for me now. This is my choice, one that should be free of influence from religious and secularists alike.

— J in New York

“It gives me peace”

“It makes me feel confident”

The one thing I don’t understand is why people assume hijab/niqab is a symbol of oppression. Never once in my life have I been told to wear the hijab. For me it has always been part of my life growing up, and every morning when I see myself in the mirror it makes me happy because I decided that I wanted to wear the hijab.

When I wear my hijab it makes me feel confident, I feel like myself, this is how I have always been. But this isn’t how the majority of the world looks upon the hijab. We live in a strange society where walking around half naked is acceptable but being modest and covering up is frowned upon.

Not only this but also the fact that forcing a woman to not wear what she likes is OK, when clearly it is oppression itself. How hypocritical is the French government.

— Safiya in Canada

“Forced to wear hijab”

“Having that choice made me feel empowered”

I am a Muslim woman who has chosen to stop wearing my hijab after having worn it for 10 years (beginning at age 15). I chose to stop wearing my hijab as I did not feel that a piece of fabric made me any more or less pious.

During those formative teenage years, I immersed myself in my religion. I wore my hijab by choice, as my parents always gave me the option. Having that choice made me feel empowered. Key word: CHOICE. Taking this choice out of women’s hands is, essentially, taking away their power to control how they present themselves to the world.

No human being wants to be forced to do anything. Period.

— Shanonda1979 in New Haven

A constant reminder “that I do not live for this world alone”

“Our head scarves lived in a drawer, and our faith lived in our hearts”

I am a secular Muslim woman who emigrated to the U.S. in 1966 as a young child. The only times my mother, sister and I wore a head scarf was when we visited a mosque, went to the cemetery, or during home prayer service. The head scarf was not part of our identity, it was part of our religious practice. Our head scarves lived in a drawer, and our faith lived in our hearts.

Islam, in fact, does not mandate that women cover their hair, head, or face. Islam mandates that a woman dress conservatively, modestly, thoughtfully. The head covering is a sociocultural influence that has existed for centuries and was acquired by the religion. The head scarf is more an expression of culture and nationality, but has erroneously become a religious symbol.

— B.B. in New Jersey

“Medieval, patriarchal, depersoning”

“Why not tell us not to wear shorts, skirts, dresses?”

I am Muslim, and I do not wear the veil. I have seen the women in my family wearing the veil or not wearing it. For me, it’s a personal decision, and I think those who decide to wear the veil should have their decision respected. Telling Muslim women to take off their veil excludes them and prevents assimilation. And we all know what happens when people are excluded. Extremists tend to take advantage of that exclusion. Plus, telling a woman not to wear the veil in my opinion is policing what women wear. Why not tell us not to wear shorts, skirts, dresses?

— Kadidja in Austin, Tex.

“A testimony to my faith”

As a Muslim women who was raised in Europe and now residing in the U.S., wearing the hijab has always been a matter of choice married with a strong conviction of faith. I have worn various styles throughout the years. At times I covered my face, and other times such as now I have not, yet I am always aware that I am covered.

Some view it as a sign of my alignment with some foreign cause (it is not). Some feel that it’s a way to connect to my African heritage (it is not). Yet some just think I just want to be different (if only you knew). I’ve been complimented on the “regalness” of my garb, and I have been verbally abused.

What has never changed is my firm conviction that wearing this voluminous covering is a testimony of my faith. I believe in it and wearing it has everything to do with my desire to freely practice that belief and nothing to do with challenging society’s values.

— Aaishah in New York.

“Covering my head didn’t stifle my brain”

I am a Muslim woman, born and raised in the U.S., with graduate degrees and a professional career. I am not a victim who is being told to cover or not. I have free will. I love my country, and it affords me the right to choose how I dress and protects me from discrimination in the workplace and elsewhere. While wearing a head scarf for 17 years, I graduated from law school and got a job. Covering my head didn’t stifle my brain, and it made me work harder to compete. As I grew in my faith, I chose to stop wearing the head scarf. But that was my decision. I respect women who choose to wear it, such as my very educated and progressive mother.

— TS in Washington

“People should look beyond what’s on your head”

”I can’t imagine being able to converse with someone whose face I cannot see!”

I generally disagree with the practice of a full veil that covers one’s eyes even though I grew up with my mom (in Pakistan) wearing it, and one of my sisters who is living in Japan now wears a full veil as well. I empathize with people who claim that it hinders communication and most likely hinders progress of women who wear it as well.

After living here in the U.S. for many years, I can’t imagine being able to converse with someone whose face I cannot see! Eye contact, facial expressions, etc. There is just so much more involved in communication than mere words and sound.

Also from a religious point of view, I think it’s an extreme interpretation of modesty to have to cover one’s face.

— Sohail in Denver

“They react as if I’m dumb”

I was born and raised in the Netherlands. I’m Muslim and since a year and a half I’m wearing a head scarf. Since I have not always worn a head scarf, I can easily see the difference in people reactions toward me. Although not engaging in blatant prejudice is an unwritten rule over here, there have been numerous occasions in which I have been discriminated against. Moreover, this has been augmented since 2001, and even more since I have been wearing my head scarf.

People now rudely stare at me. If they don’t stare they treat me like I’m air or as if I don’t speak Dutch. If they do talk to me, they react as if I’m dumb. Before I wore my head scarf, all of this was not the case!

— Tulay Degermenci

“When in Rome, do what the Romans do”

My husband and I have both lived in central Paris (I am a trailing spouse) since 2013. When we first arrived, I didn’t wear any veil, but then my faith grew, and I started to don on the hijab (one of those satin/colorful scarves, I always avoid black) six months ago.

Maybe I look distinctly foreign (je suis Malaisienne), I never had any bad experiences with my head scarf. When I go to the stores, walk on the streets, ride in the metro, the French remain polite and friendly or simply minding their own business. Maybe Parisians are more open-minded and exposed to foreign cultures. I feel happy and at ease here.

I also believe in when in Rome, do what the Romans do. If the locals are uncomfortable with full face covering or somber black abayas or dresses, wear something else. The world does not revolve around a specific group of people.

— Hylda Yaacub