what do you think when you see a woman in a hijab?

[Anonymous]

I know it's not PC, but I feel distrust and dislike. I wonder if she or her family are radical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Woman in a hijab" sounds like she's trapped, or that she must not be in control of her clothing. How about a woman WEARING a hijab.

To most American women she is trapped!

Aren't we all, dearie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Fucking misogynistic religion" (which I think about almost all religions).

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remind myself (a white Jewish woman) to make eye contact and smile so she knows I'm friendly and not viewing her as a terrorist or something. I feel like Muslim women are viewed with a lot of suspicion and hostility, so I want to be clear it's not coming from me.

Because that never happens:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2736361/I-know-people-bomb-Boston-Marathon-bombing-suspect-s-sister-arrested-threatening-blow-boyfriend-s-ex-Manhattan.html

[Anonymous]

I respect a woman wearing a hijab. What bothers me is the women who are covered head to toe and with the face mask accompanied by a husband in shorts, tee shirt and flip flops. Doesn't seem fair that he can be cool and she is hot in too much clothing

[Anonymous]

Not uncommon where I live. I think, "there's a woman in a hijab."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not uncommon where I live. I think, "there's a woman in a hijab."

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remind myself (a white Jewish woman) to make eye contact and smile so she knows I'm friendly and not viewing her as a terrorist or something. I feel like Muslim women are viewed with a lot of suspicion and hostility, so I want to be clear it's not coming from me.

Because that never happens:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2736361/I-know-people-bomb-Boston-Marathon-bombing-suspect-s-sister-arrested-threatening-blow-boyfriend-s-ex-Manhattan.html

You are really using this as a reason to distrust all Muslim women?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if she judges me for showing my hair, working and for being an American.

I know Muslim women that work. I also know American Muslim women.

[Anonymous]

Religion is the opiate of the masses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I respect a woman wearing a hijab. What bothers me is the women who are covered head to toe and with the face mask accompanied by a husband in shorts, tee shirt and flip flops. Doesn't seem fair that he can be cool and she is hot in too much clothing

Exactly. Too bad her husband, father and brothers don't have to dress similarly and entire oppressive heat in the same manner.

[Anonymous]

Poor thing.

[Anonymous]

I think, " oh there goes a woman in a hijab"

[Anonymous]

I'd think: Damn, how I wish I were on Edgware Rd heading to Beirut Express. Shish taouk or shawarma, so hard to choose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, it depends on the style. If it's a modern scarf and a bit of hair peeks through, and if she hasn't covered all her clothing, I think she looks like a confident Muslim woman, and I don't think much of it, other than sometimes admire the scarf fabric, and smile.

If she's wearing a solid-colored (not especially pretty or hip) hijab that covers every bit of hair, and also covers her day clothes, I wonder if she's judging me for being an American woman. I also wonder if she feels like she's part of a misogynistic culture, or feels trapped, or feels like an outsider. I usually avoid eye contact, because I assume she does not want to be noticed and is trying to be invisible.

This, down to the wondering if she's judging me part - it's hard to miss the rhetoric against western women. Heck, even our own Muslima often tosses in a condescending remark about the decline in Western values. The Koran doesn't require much beyond covering your chest and hair, so anything else is often cultural or political.