I found this gem on the Indonesiaful blog that Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (EFAs) write. A "jilbab" is a Muslim woman's veil (headscarf) not be be confused with burqa, which covers more of the body than just the head.
PERSONALLY WEARING A HIJAB
When I first arrived, people were psyched for me to try on a hijab. I appeased them a few times: the two times I went to prayer, at an arisan (women gathering on a Sunday afternoon to recite the Al Qur'an), at a selamatan (reciting the Al Qur'an and praying for someone who has died), and breaking fast at my school (buka puasa). I wanted to be respectful. However, once I got to know people and they knew that I tried to go to church each week, they understood when I respectfully declined to wear a hijab essentially to anything.
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| The unfortunate frog-like appearance I take on when wearing a hijab... |
At this point I haven't worn one and will not wear one probably for the entire second year I am here. I explain that I am Christian and I do not have to wear one. I respect that women here want to, but I do not. My explanation that I do not feel more beautiful wearing one is moot, as every time I do wear one the only thing I hear is people freaking out about how beautiful I look. (I disagree. I look frog-like and very sweaty- see above!).
I used to refute people's comments that I didn't wear a hijab because I'm Christian so I'm not comfortable doing so, but I stopped doing that when that explanation was, again, moot. I'd explain it to the lady sitting next to me that I was Christian so I didn't want to, and she would promptly turn to her friend and tell her friend that I was not wearing one because it was too hot. Those words never came out of my mouth (though it is too hot to wear one!), but I gave up trying to defend my reasons. Sometimes people in my village believe what they want to believe, even when I insist something else. Oy vey. Like "All Americans eat bread every day, right?" My answer, "No, but SOME do. Some eat rice every day." To which someone will turn to her neighbor and explain, "Americans love bread and eat it every day." Sheesh.
THE SOCIAL PRESSURE TO WEAR A HIJAB
It is obvious that at an Islamic high school, it is required that the women have to wear a hijab. They chose to go to this school, so they knew what the rules would be. At non-religious schools, many, many girls still wear hijabs. At some schools it is a girl's choice, at others it is required for all Muslim girls. But again, she chose to go to that school so she knew beforehand whether or not she would have to wear a hijab.
While I am happy that it is a girl's choice, one must also consider the social pressures of wearing a hijab. Perhaps the Muslim girls at non-religious schools have the choice to not wear a hijab and indeed prefer not to wear one. Perhaps many still are wearing one because of the social pressure to do so. Because of the religious significance behind wearing a hijab, I do not like the idea of a girl being pressured into wearing a hijab just because her friends are wearing one. Indeed, I'd be likely to commend a Muslim girl for not wearing a hijab because she doesn't want to do so. Choice is the most important thing to me.
THE "IS IT REALLY EVEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE?" HIJAB
I was fascinated by the insight another volunteer had about the Muslim women wearing hijabs here. This was his argument, paraphrased. "So the women are supposed to be wearing hijabs to detract attention from the lingering stares of men. Muslim Indonesian women ARE wearing hijabs, but look at them! The world of fashion for Muslim women is centered around big, bright, over-the-top hijabs, thus attracting attention. Make-up and skin whitening products are selling like hotcakes."
I would personally add that the skin-tight clothing I see women wearing along with a hijab also attracts attention. A lot of it. Thus...
"Is covering her hair making any difference?"
This is what I am left asking after I see a woman with a bright, big, trendy hijab coupled with make-up and tight clothing.
I get it. I'm not allowed to judge. I know and understand so little about the hijab culture. Other volunteers point out that it's great that the women are taking the hijab and making it their own. That is true, I like that aspect of it. Make that hijab your own! Claim it!
Yet I can't help but question, at what point is it worth wearing one if the only thing someone is not seeing is the color and length of your hair? Women are consciously dressing so people look at their slim bodies and their beautiful, make-up heavy faces. The only thing that is hidden is their hair. Is that the real intent of the hijab?
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