# Wearing the hijab (head scarf) for one day **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 25, 2001, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-the-hijab-head-scarf-for-one-day/83743 "2001-09-25T18:12:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-the-hijab-head-scarf-for-one-day/83743/1 "2001-09-25T18:12:58Z")
I just got an email about a group of women in the community calling for a “solidarity” day. They noted that Muslim women who wear the hijab are targets for harrassment by idjits & bigots because they’re so readily identifiable as muslim. So, they’re encouraging other women, for one day, to wear the hijab. They said it’s being done elsewhere. I love the idea. But yet I feel sort of weird about it. I mean, is it right to adopt an article of clothing with such religious and cultural significance, when I don’t live by their tenets? Obviously I’d be doing it out of respect, but I still wonder if some muslims wouldn’t take it the wrong way. I mean, it wouldn’t feel right to wear one of these things as a joke or a costume, so it doesn’t feel entirely respectful for me to wear it even with good intentions. It’s not clear to me if this idea was suggested by muslim women or not. Thoughts about this? ---
**Author:** ![BunnyGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@BunnyGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyGirl)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-the-hijab-head-scarf-for-one-day/83743/2 "2001-09-25T18:25:43Z")
I agree, **Cranky**. I’d have to see clear, vocal support by Muslim women’s organizations before I would even consider this. I, too, feel that it seems almost disrespectful, kind of like guys putting on a _yarmukle_ or a prayer shawl to support Jewish men. How 'bout a big button that just says, “I support Muslim-Americans” or some such? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-the-hijab-head-scarf-for-one-day/83743/3 "2001-09-25T18:54:40Z")
I thought (could be wrong of course on this) that all males entering a Jewish ceremony were encouraged to wear a yarmukle. Personally, I would ask. (a client I had wore one, she referred to it as ‘covering’ - not ‘a covering’ but a verb - “I cover” , she was very open about answering questions.) ---
**Author:** ![BunnyGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@BunnyGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyGirl)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-the-hijab-head-scarf-for-one-day/83743/4 "2001-09-25T18:56:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by wring \* > \*\*I thought (could be wrong of course on this) that all males entering a Jewish ceremony were encouraged to wear a yarmukle. \*\* I meant non-Jewish men wearing it as a sign of support. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-the-hijab-head-scarf-for-one-day/83743/5 "2001-09-25T19:04:41Z")
**BunnyGirl** I didn’t clarify, I **meant** men who were not Jewish, but attending the ceremony anyhow. Like I said, I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-the-hijab-head-scarf-for-one-day/83743/6 "2001-09-25T19:08:56Z")
There was an article in this Sunday’s Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel about two high school girls who have been wearing the hijab in support of a female Muslim classmate. The Muslim girl supplied the hijabs they have been wearing. So I’d say there’s at least one female Muslim (and presumably, her parents) who welcome the gesture. BTW, the article said that after reaching puberty, Muslim girls are “encouraged” to wear the head scarf as a sign of modesty, but are not forced to do so. They begin wearing it when they feel ready. So from this, it seems not improper for non-Muslims to adopt a similar show of modesty, if it also shows support for Muslims. ---
**Author:** ![magdalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@magdalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magdalene)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-the-hijab-head-scarf-for-one-day/83743/7 "2001-09-25T19:09:53Z")
I would ask Muslim friends or coworkers. I can’t see that it would be offensive. Depending on what country and economic/educational background someone is from, the hijab can have a religious, political, or simply practical significance. Many “good Muslim” women I know in the U.S. don’t wear it at all, some wear it because they promised their mothers they would before coming here, some wear it because it makes them feel closer to God, some wear it because loose clothing and a headscarf are what feels comfortable and practical for them. In Egypt many young working women have started wearing it again - they are better able to assert themselves, work outside the home, and push career goals while still appearing to the community as respectable and pious. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-the-hijab-head-scarf-for-one-day/83743/8 "2001-09-26T03:46:27Z")
There’s a related article at [http://www.commondreams.org/views01/0925-12.htm](http://www.commondreams.org/views01/0925-12.htm) sorry for the ugly line, I hope it links ok. If not please go to [http://www.commondreams.org/](http://www.commondreams.org/) and look for Donning Scarves in Solidarity… by Sandy Banks ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-the-hijab-head-scarf-for-one-day/83743/9 "2001-09-26T03:53:50Z")
I was all set to put on a head scarf at first…then the more I thought about it, the more I didn’t want to. I’m all for solidarity with Muslim-Americans, but I’m personally opposed to the notion that women need to cover their hair while men don’t. So if somebody thinks of some other bright way to show support, let me know.