My sweet friend… she smiles with her eyes and covers her face, while I flash my grin and cover my eyes.
I had the privilege of being the first American/non-Muslim to invite this dear Muslim woman from the Gulf into my home recently. Amidst chasing her 1 year old, we talked for hours about faith, dreams, cancer, raising kids, and the niqab–the face-covering she wears in public. With her gentle demeanor, she explained the courage it takes to wear the niqab, and the assumptions people automatically have.
One time when she was in the park with her kids, a group of young students were fearful, calling her a zombie. She bravely asked their teacher if she could talk to the students. With no men present, she lifted the niqab and introduced herself.
I felt so blessed by her heart and willingness to cross barriers to share a sliver of her life with me❣️
When we cross barriers and get to know people who are different from us, it broadens our perspectives and enriches our lives .
One perspective on head coverings, with a hip hop feminism flare is this song:
Hijabi
by Mona Haydar. It provides a young Muslim woman’s perspective on her hijab (head covering) in English.
🎶All around the world
Love women every shading
Be so liberated…
I still wrap my hijab
Wrap my hijab
Wrap my hijab
Wrap, wrap my hijab 🎶
I love how culturally situated songs give us a perspective, and a beat, we may not have otherwise considered.
And here are some other helpful definitions of Islamic headwear.
On My Mind 