Rabiya Ali:

Covered up women seem to have recently become the bane of Europe. In countries where religion flourished because of the rights of their citizens to practice their faiths, there is now suspicion, antipathy and even outright hatred towards symbols of religion. In many cases it is directed towards Muslims, and within the Muslim group, towards veiled or covered women.

I am a female Muslim teenager from the UK. I was born here, and have been brought up here as a full British citizen. I've lived through the time when differences and distinction were accepted, and have come to see the change in British society towards women who are covered. I was 10 years old when the World Trade Centre crash occurred, and I suppose that in a sense, you could say that this is where the story begins.

Prior to 9/11 the West was aware of Islam. France has Europe's largest Muslim population, Britain has seen an increase in immigration from non-EU countries, particularly so from South Asia, and America was wholly built on settlers from different lands. All in all, the West very much knew of Islam's existence. The difference was, that before 9/11 no-one cared if the person next to you was dressed head to toe in black; no-one cared if the guy stood next to you wore a skull cap and had a beard. These people were just there, and it didn't make a difference. They were accepted as being there, just the same as everyone else. Then 9/11 happened. And suddenly these insane Muslim people were intent on destroying the world.

I think it's safe to say that post 9/11 the world view of Islam changed radically. Suddenly, the black robes became equivalent to terrorism with Muslims being seen as outsiders even though they had lived in their respective countries for most of their lives; the men with long beards became the stereotypical image of suicide bombers everywhere. And then came the endless rhetoric of why so many women wore black.
Let me make one thing clear - when most people think 'Muslim woman' they see this picture in their heads:

Firstly, not all Muslim women wear this. This face covering is called 'niqab.' It is more prevalent in the Middle East than with Western Muslims for a number of reasons. Culturally, the Middle East is more conservative than the West. The niqab's origins come from the Qur'an (the Muslim holy book). However, contrary to some opinions, the Qur'an does not say that Muslim women must only go out in head to toe black, faces included. The Qur'an mentions in ONE verse that niqab should be adopted by the wives of the Propehet Muhammad (SAW). There are 6000 verses in the Qur'an. Only one mentions covering the face, specifically for the Prophet's wives.

The two main points relating to this are, firstly that the Prophet's wives were told to wear this because they are regarded as the 'mothers of the believers.' They have a specific status in Islam as the Prophet's wives, which puts them above the rest of the female Muslim population. Secondly, the religious reason behind why many women wear the niqab today is in order to emulate the Prophet's wives. It is a mark of respect, of honour, of dignity. It is not some sort of political statement saying, 'we're better than you.' It just means that they choose to copy women they hold in high regard.

The niqab is not a compulsory requirement in Islam. But as you may see around you, many women choose to wear it. Which is fair enough in my humble opinion, but if you happen to live in Saudi Arabia you'll see every woman wearing it. The government of Saudi Arabia have made it compulsory attire by using a strict interpretation of Islamic dress to keep their Wahabi's and Salafi's happy. As one Christian friend put it, 'Maybe if I lived in Saudi, I would be forced to do so [wear the niqab].'

A different, more common sight in the West is this:

This is the 'hijab' or headscarf. It covers the head and front of the chest, and leaves the face bare. Most Muslims today (the ones I know, anyway), would say that Islam requires women to adopt this level of covering. There are a few reasons why women wear hijab; on a religious level, hijab should be worn to ensure modesty in covering. Islam doesn't say, 'wear this, this and this.' Islam says that whatever you do wear, make sure you're covered, it's loose, not low-cut and ensures modesty.

This is why Muslims don't have a 'typical' set of clothing. Muslims in the Middle East tend to favour long robes, flowing and loose fabrics to ensure Islamic compliance and to keep cool in the heat. In South Asia, women wear long flowing skirts and tops, with a wraparound shawl (a sari), or long tunics paired with loose trousers, (shalwar kameez). In the West many Muslim women wear Western clothing and make it comply with their religious beliefs. Most will also cover their head, if not their faces.

In the Middle East there is a general consensus amongst Muslim women that it is better to be convinced about wearing the hijab before doing so, as being undetermined about its value and removing it after having adopted it is viewed as a greater sin. A verse in the Qur'an states that believers (Muslims) will be judged according to their intentions. This verse is used to justify not wearing the hijab until, as one friend put it, she feels, 'determination and willingness to actually endure the hijab.' This may make it sound somewhat rather trying, but being a Bahraini princess, she assures me, 'I hope someday to be resolved to the hijab but at the moment I know I would just end up going against hijab rules. I lack determination. I would rather wait to have the strong will to do hijab.' This seems like a fair enough idea, although it is very different to what I experienced growing up in the UK. Many of the girls I know (including myself) adopted the hijab at quite a young age and haven't let it go since; perhaps a symbol of differences in outlook and upbringing.

As well as complying with religious requirements, I have found that hijab allows a Muslim woman to remain distinct, yet approachable. You will have noticed, if you live in the West especially, that if a woman walks outside in short, tight, low-cut clothing, she gets a lot of male attention; usually of the salicious comments/jeering variety. The difference I have noticed with women who adopt a more modest approach is that men treat them differently. There seems to be a level of automatic respect because they cover up and there is always a slight distance as if the man recognises the boundaries immediately. As one of my male friends put it, 'Seeing a Muslim sister fully covered lays the foundation of mutual respect.'

It is clear to me that hijab in all its different forms, has its place in societies across the world. Islam, as a trans-national faith has influenced life to an extent in almost all corners of the world. Coupled with the trend of globalisation it is difficult today, to find someone completely unaware of Islam as a religion, and hijab as a practice. I do not intend to pass judgement on either Muslim or non-Muslim women; simply to explain that the reasons you may have in your head for women covering up may well be a lot more sinister than is truly the case.

I hope I have cleared up at least a few of the rumours about hijab. If you have any queries please don't hesitate to get in touch.

With special thanks to my contributors, especially Noora H Al Khalifa (Princess of Bahrain).

Reproduced with permission from Rabiya Ali's blog: http://www.themusingsofasimpleton.blogspot.com/