Nowadays you see them in all shapes, sizes and colors; the headscarf. Some people wear it to cover up a bad hair day and others wear it as a fashion item. In large cities, however, you see that the headscarf is often worn as part of a religion, Islam that is. The headscarf is worn by both young and old, immigrant and native. Many people wonder why Muslim women cover their hair; A woman’s hair is her jewelry, isn’t it? Nowadays there is almost no subject more controversy than the headscarf. It almost seems as if the non-Muslim Netherlands is concerned about the rights of the Muslim woman wearing a headscarf, while this group itself does not understand all the commotion. Miscommunication or no communication seems to be the cause of this. A dialogue between the two groups would mean that non-Muslim people would understand that the headscarf is certainly not a sign of oppression. At least, not in the Netherlands and of course with some exceptions.
Reason behind wearing the headscarf
Islamic women can wear a headscarf for various reasons, these reasons are often personal. However, the most frequently mentioned reason is that the headscarf is worn as part of religion. In Islam, woman is described as a well-guarded pearl and a jewel that must be protected. Woman enjoys a high rank in Islam because she is the one who gives birth to the next generations and raises these generations. In this context, the Muslim woman wears her headscarf to please her Lord and to follow the example of the women who lived during the time of the Prophet Muhammad. The hair is seen as an ornament that does not have to be visible to everyone.
Hijab as a traditional costume
While the headscarf is still generally accepted by most people, there is often complete misunderstanding of the burqa and especially the model that also covers the eyes. ‘Why doesn’t a woman just wear a headscarf and even cover her face?’ many people wonder. A headscarf is often not a stand-alone covering for the female body. The headscarf is part of the hijab , or the entire clothing of the Islamic woman. An observant person will conclude that most women with headscarves do not wear short skirts and T-shirts. If the woman chooses to wear a headscarf, she chooses a certain way of dressing. Leaving aside the various headscarf styles, Muslim women often wear long trousers or skirts topped with a tunic or other shirt with long sleeves and a covering neck. However, some women feel that pants or skirts are not enough and prefer to wear a more covered form of the hijab ; this can manifest itself in an abaya (a straight dress from shoulder to foot) or even the burqa (a straight dress from head to foot), with or without covering the eyes.
Changing picture
In the major cities of the Netherlands, the headscarf is increasingly accepted, both on the streets and in the business community. While in the past employers often made a fuss about their own employees wearing headscarves, it now seems to be no longer an obstacle for them to hire a woman wearing a headscarf. Exceptions aside, of course. For example, municipal organizations in major cities want their staff to reflect the city they represent and in such cases headscarf-wearing employees cannot be missing. Women who wear headscarves are no longer always seen as oppressed women, but it is recognized that they too can be independent and successful. In smaller cities, a woman wearing a headscarf is often viewed with suspicion, which is partly due to unfamiliarity with the headscarf phenomenon. Their opportunities on the labor market are therefore different here than in the larger cities.
Endless discussion
The discussion on this subject will undoubtedly continue for many years to come, partly because everyone has their own opinion about it and often wants to express it. This is noticeable on a small scale, such as within the family, but certainly also on a large scale, such as in national politics. Of course, such a discussion does not always have to be negative. After all, a discussion stirs up a stir and this in turn creates dialogue, which will ultimately lead to more acceptance and understanding.