Hijab Beaute

Model: Myself.

It’s stated in the Quran that all Muslim women should cover their hair and all their other body parts except two, their face and their hands.

But if a woman in her hijab and modest clothing posts a picture of her face on the internet, it’s considered an almost mortal sin. Why? Covering a woman’s face isn’t a Muslim rule. It’s not compulsory. So why is it so shameful and ‘wrong’ to do so?

Our society, that’s why. 

Our society (I’m an Emirati 18 year old, but I’m talking about the Arabian society and culture in general) taught it’s females since their infancy that women should not be put on the spotlight, not in newspapers, not on the television, not on modest pictures on the internet. This is a social issue, not a religious issue. Yes, I believe in modesty, I believe in covering ones body and hair. But take away my face too? 

Why should I be ashamed of being a female? 

When something is a social issue, it cannot get better over night, it takes years. But maybe if I speak out, it could make others in my society think, maybe even change their minds on what truly is shameful.

And for you to understand how big this problem is, let me tell you this. I’m a feminist that believes in equality, acceptance and tolerance. I grew up in a multi-cultural household with a worldly open-minded family. Yet I still don’t have the guts to show my whole face in the picture above.

I was taught to be ashamed.