As a Muslimah living in New York City, life can be tough, but at the same time it can be an adventure. Life here is what I choose to make it and I choose to make it an adventure instead of a struggle.
I cover myself from head to toe, excluding my hands and face. The way I dress draws a great amount of awkward looks and questions from people. I have had people ask me all kinds of hilarious questions, which I will share with you. The question I get asked the most often is one during the summer time because people see me covered so fully. The first thing they ask is, "Aren't you hot?!" I tell them, "Of course not, I have central air conditioning!" Just kidding. Seriously though, I tell them I am not hot at all because I wear clothe that are fit for the weather. Clothe such as 100% cotton are great for the hot summer days because they keep me cool. Also, I have an advantage to covering because I am getting full protection from the hot sun. Recently someone asked me if my scarf keeps me cool from the sun, I told them it does. Then they went about and touched their hair and realized how hot it has gotten from the sun, so they knew I really did have an advantage.
Other times I have had people stop me in the middle of the side-walk and ask me, "Why are you wearing this?" By This, they mean the head scarf, the skirt to the floor, and the sleeves to the wrist. I explain to them that this is the way I feel comfortable dressing and this is the way my religion taught me to dress.
I am not going to give you the rest of the questions I get asked, at least not today. Stay tuned for "A Muslimah living in New York City- Part 2"
Note: Muslimah is the Arabic word used to describe a female Muslim.
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Comments: 7
In the US, a Koran is never taken away from you at immigration at the airport. In Saudi Arabia, a Bible is.
I used to have some difficulty adapting my 'modest clothing' to summer weather, but once I figured out the right weights and fabrics to use, I realized that keeping covered actually does REDUCE the effect of the sun and heat on you. That was a rather pleasant surprise! I never expected that!
Unfortunately, I'm finding that since '911', the level of hostility towards Muslims in America, has increased so dramatically, it can be quite dangerous to go out the door 'looking like a Muslim'. It can, in fact, be deadly...in some cases. It's not even a case of just 'being made fun of' anymore, which was probably the most a person had to worry about, before '911'. Of course, there are still many good, decent people, who will be perfectly nice to you, but there is also now this 'core element' of Americans who quite literally look upon you as 'the enemy', and it doesn't help when the gov't and other social institutions join in with this sentiment...to encourage and support it. Which is what I am seeing happening, in a lot of places. Muslims aren't just being made fun of anymore, they're being threatened, (and perhaps even killed, in some instances, though I'm sure the motive remains disguised, in most cases), simply for being what they are. And they are having problems with things like the authorities trying to take their children away, (claiming they 'abuse' them, or 'neglect' them, simply because they insist that family members adhere to an Islamic lifestyle), denying them their right to practice the tenets of their religion freely, etc... (aka - one glaring example - religiously required dress codes are often not respected at job sites, schools, and other institutions, even though this blatantly violates our constitutional right to religious freedom) They are being institutionally treated like they are 'abusers', or 'crazy', or 'criminals', in many places. (in fact, if you are Muslim, and have any political leanings which pit you against current gov't policies, you probably automatically go onto a 'terrorist watch list' now. And if you happen to own a gun, on top of all that, you can BET you are under 24 hour a day surveillance! Even though you have EVERY LEGAL RIGHT to do all of the above!) Muslims are having problems with basic services being denied to them, job discrimination, harassment and persecution by legal authorities, etc..
It seems, right now, in America, the best place to be, if you are Muslim, is in an area where there are many other Muslims present. That way, you will have some protection and support. Without that protection and support from other Muslims, you may not even be safe...
I would advise all Muslims in America today, to please not underestimate the amount of danger you may be in, at this time. There are quite literally, many people in America today, who would like to KILL you, for simply being Muslim, because their own gov't and media are continuing to reinforce the idea that this country is currently 'at war' with Islam and all Muslims, and vice versus...
It's going to take a lot of tireless work, on our part, to dispel this myth...and to defeat the LIARS who are propagating this falsehood.
GT
But, this will make my life complex.
I am happy to have found this article and read the insightful comments. I am planning a trip to NYC this week... and very much looking forward to it.
In light of the subject at hand, Hijab, I wear it and am very comfortable no matter what the temp. I tend to wear a lot of black (traditional) style but I must say the range of variety is large!
I have not been harassed so much, but the occasional stares and quiet remarks are seen and heard.
I must say I was very shocked to read an article re: Hijab - Post 9-11 at the American Muslim Womens League suggesting that Muslimah's TAKE OFF Hijab to PROTECT themselves from hostile Americans!!!!!!
Truly, I love my religion and Hijab. I find it very ignorant and sad that entire countries are making laws to prohibit the wearing of Hijab.
I will not take off Hijab for anyone (save for the "given's") anytime, nor reason.
It's nice to meet you all.
Peace to ya'!
I actually finished my school year and then stopped going to school because of the fear my parents had when I was going to and from school after 9/11. I went as far as stopping school, but never, not once, did I consider taking off my precious hijab. It's my pride and joy and I would not take it off, except to the "given's" as you put it.
Note: I have wrote part 2 if you want to read it. It's really not so bad here in NYC. I love living here and I love getting the questions. I just figure by posting these articles, the answers would get to a larger audience.
Contact me if you need help getting around NYC.
Salam
I have to agree with everything you said because I know people who have endured both verbal and physical abuse due to one fact because they are Muslims. I know people how have been hospitalized due to the mental affect of harassments at their workplace. I know people who have been beat up at school because they are Muslim. I know people who have been stopped in the middle of the street by police and asked questions for no apparent reason. These are only some of the things that happen to people I know personally, who knows how much happens to people I have never met.
I was taking out of school right after 9/11 due to the harassment I received going and coming back from school. I was then home schooled the rest of high school. So I know how horrible things can get, but I am not ready to back down. I am ready to fight this with with my words until the message gets across that not all Muslims are terrorists and not all Muslims adhere to Islam.
BTW, this little article of mine was just a piece to show people what I have to endure just by the way I dress, but there are definitely more serious issues that Muslims have to deal with after 9/11.