VEILED: PERSPECTIVES
Areeg’s first time wearing hijab was during 7th grade. She had a sudden realization one day that she wanted to wear hijab. Seeing her sister wearing hijab before her, she had exposure to what it meant and decided
she was at that age where she felt comfortable enough with herself and the concept of covering to practise
it. Her sister began veiling at a younger age but for Areeg, 12 years was the ideal age when she was ready.
From the day she decided to wear it daily rather than only when going to the mosque, she hasn’t taken it
off in public since.
When Areeg was young and had not understood the concept of the headscarf, she thought of it as a piece
of cloth covering her hair. Her parents enlightened her on the topic and explained that it was so much
more than a piece of cloth. The translation of hijab doesn’t mean a scarf, it’s rooted in so much more than
a fabric covering areas of your body. Hijab can exist in your actions and interactions with people as well.
Hijab has two meanings: the physical definition commonly known as the headscard and the association
of respect and modesty.
“I believe that the connotational meaning of hijab as understood
through actions and interactions is far more important that the
physical definition of hijab.”
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