For the first time in its history of publication, the August 2022 issue of Vogue France featured two Somali women on the cover — and the first hijabi, in spite of France’s hijab ban. This is the first time in over 100 years of its publishing history that there is finally a hijabi on the…
Tag hijabi
Cultural Humility: Why We Should End Cultural Competence in the West
In western societies, instead of tapping into practicing cultural humility, the mainstream makes negative assumptions about, and even criminalize, Muslim women who wear burkas and veils. The catch is that with the prevailing norm is that people don’t try to take cultural differences as opportunities for them to learn and grow. Instead, they start to…
Here’s How My Hijab Pushed Me to Succeed in Medical School
I watched the young woman across from me wrap the soft stretch of fabric around her face. She folded a part of it that hung close to her ears and loosened it slightly, put her fingers slowly under the fabric and experimented with how much room there was. Would a stethoscope ear piece fit through…
Poem: Not What I Meant
In this poem, the author explores media representations in which women take off their hijab for one reason or the other, often to satisfy Western standards or the male gaze. As the girl on the TV takes off her hijab, I watch in awe, I thought people would accuse her of breaking the law, I…
Why the Media Still Has a Long Way to Go to Get Representation Right
The year is 2020, and although changes are happening, why are they happening so slowly? When you watch a show or a movie, listen to music or view fashion, what is one thing that you notice? There are few people of different cultures, races, religions, and sizes. I am just one of the many Muslim…
How a Trip to Australia Inspired an American Hijabi to Educate Others About the Hijab
A few years back when I visited Sydney, I was amazed at the number of Muslim women wearing the hijab. While many Muslim women observe the Islamic dress code all over the world, in Sydney I felt a palpable sense of pride in one’s identity. As a Muslim-American woman who wears the hijab, I felt…
6 Quick and Easy Hijab Styles
For those who wear the hijab, you know how it easy it can be to wear your hijab the same way day after day. We came across this hijab tutorial by YouTube user Ro’s World, who demonstrated six different and super easy hijab styles that take only about a minute each to achieve. We knew…
This Is How It Feels to Be the Only Hijabi in My Kickboxing Class
I joined my kickboxing class eight months ago, after leaving my beloved jujitsu class back in Doha last year. The biggest difference between the two classes is that my former was filled with Muslim women, but in my current class in England, I am the only brown woman (except for my sisters), and the only…
Here’s How to Keep Your Winter Wardrobe Poppin’
The leaves are falling, and crunching under your feet. The weather is cooling down, and pumpkin spice lattes are a thing again. Yes, it’s time for fall, quickly followed by winter, and we have some major inspo for your wardrobe. From oversized coats (no, not Kanye-style) to major boho-chic vibes, this season has so many…
It’s Lit: Solar Powered Abayas Are a Real Thing
Abayas have come a long way, like seriously. Back in my day (do I sound like my mom yet?!), at my Islamic school, we had to wear these ugly red Harry Potter looking cloak things. They were heavy, uncomfortable and just plain ugly. Cue the modesty movement. Now cute brands like Modeste have become somewhat trendy,…
Read This Before You Share That Hijabi Sexual Harassment Video
Many of us are aware of the viral and currently circulating video, 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman by Hollaback, an organization that wishes to eradicate street harassment, intimidation, and catcalling of woman around the globe. The video featured a young woman walking around Manhattan for 10 hours all the while being harassed…
Sara Zayed: The Perks of Being a Hijabi
At the annual Hijab Fest, the hottest modest clothing is showcased, paired with inspirational and spiritual talks such as that of guest speaker Sara Zayed, who spoke of the Muslim-American hijabi experience. Living in a society where hijab isn’t the norm, often associated with Islamophobic and racist ideas, is no easy task. It is so…
Hijabi Fashion Essential: Black Maxi Skirt
We all have that one huge essential in our closet, whether it’s a bag, scarf, or dress. Mine is a simple black maxi skirt. I don’t know what I’d do without it — I wear it so many different ways! So I thought, what’s a better way to show you all how I styled it…
“If there is any oppression at all… it is in acting savior to women who are already free.”
Every so often, Western feminists are struck with the need to “liberate” Muslim women from our religion and hijab. FEMEN is a Ukrainian feminist group that recently launched an “International Topless Jihad Day,” a series of demonstrations throughout Europe, in protest of Islam’s “oppression” of women. First, why is there a prevalent belief that women…
Designer Misha Nonoo’s Tips for Modest Fashion at NYFW
*We couldn’t edit out the background noise, but we hope you enjoy! I was so excited to speak with designer Misha Nonoo of Nonoo NY at New York Fashion Week as she debuted her Fall 2013 collection. At only 25 years old, the young female designer is a fearless entrepreneur and quickly making a name…