Behind the Veil: The Voodoo Hijab

Here are a few questions I have been asked by classmates, professors and strangers regarding my hijab:

“So, what does this blue one mean?” “Do they have different purposes like summoning rain?” “Do you wear the red one while you are having your period?”

I enjoy satisfying a person’s general curiosity but I have often walked away from such encounters feeling like a voodoo witch doctor due to all of the powers people’s imaginations tend to associate with my attire.

The truth is, hijabi’s like to match their outfits and dress up just like our non-hijab wearing peers. The varying swirly patterns, flowers and colors I don everyday are simply meant to satisfy my own narcissism.

Wearing a red colored scarf, aside from fulfilling my religious duty, serves no higher purpose than to match my red purse. If I’m wearing a brown one it probably just goes well with my shoes. The black hijab is what I default to because it matches with everything and I throw it on when I’m in a rush to get out of the house.

Since these questions humor me, I often used to come off very sarcastic while answering them, but this often ends up generating more confusion, so I have ceased to do so.

My general answer nowadays consists of thanking them for mistaking me for someone who might possess superhuman powers and then explaining the shallowness of my color choice for my hijab that day.

Balancing hijab and fashion is quite a struggle, especially for someone who is fashion challenged like myself, however it’s fun attempting new styles and colors.

In the words of my (best) friend Beenish: “If everyone is going to stare at me because of what’s on my head, I might as well look good while I’m at it.”

–

Credit: Maheen Siddiqi, a 23-year-old Southern California native and a recent Cal State University, Fullerton graduate with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Human Communication Studies. Her passions are law, politics and social commentary.