Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AMA

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 33 34

Original poster

I wear a niqab! AMA

838 replies

JamTea · 12/08/2018 13:34

Hi everyone,

I am a regular MNer and NC'd for this :). As background, I have a successful career in tech, I am a Muslim and I wear niqab too. Since Boris's comments, I've seen quite a bit written on MN about burqa and niqab, and thought it may be useful to answer any questions people have in relation to niqab. I also know a large number of Muslim women and have lived in various Muslim communities, so can probably speak from my experience and relay other people's experiences too.

Just as a note: I don't know any women in the UK that wear burqa and I have never seen anyone wear a burqa in real life. The difference between niqab and burqa is illustrated here: cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/1/590x/scarf-651554.jpg

OP posts:

Thread gallery

Eminybob · 12/08/2018 13:39

Is it your own choice to wear the niqab or do you feel pressure to from your community?

ScattyCharly · 12/08/2018 13:39

I would ask why you choose to wear the niqab over the khimar?

The reason for the question is that it looks more difficult to breathe in the niqab. And are there any reasons why the khimar does not meet your personal modesty/head covering objectives?

AnnieOH1 · 12/08/2018 13:42

There was recently a lady on a similar thread who said that she no longer wears the niqab and won't allow her daughter to either as she feels unsafe (it was before Boris Johnson's comments). :(

Have you ever felt that you weren't able to wear it freely?

Inkspellme · 12/08/2018 13:42

I’m curious as to why there looks to be a double standard between men and women in your community. Why do women cover so much but men never do?

For me, it always seems to reflect a belief that men cannot control themselves around women who “tempt” them and therefore women cover to reduce that temptation. If this was the case I would find it difficult to live with if I was a part of your community.

As you can probably tell, I am not a part of the Muslim community. Someone explained to me that a hiqab allows women to be modest as mentioned in the Koran. However, I can’t see how that is the equivalent of being modest.

My apologies if any of my post sounds disrespectful as I’m more curious than anything.

Bluntness100 · 12/08/2018 13:42

How does it make you feel when around women who don't wear it?

Why do you chose to wear it?

Is it your choice or are you expected to?

How do you do things like eat in public? Ie lunch at work?

pieceofpurplesky · 12/08/2018 13:45

Have you noticed an increase in negativity over the last few years. Many of the young girls I teach say that they have.

BeeFarseer · 12/08/2018 13:45

How do you eat and drink in a niqab? Is it possible, or do you just not eat and drink in public?

SleepFreeZone · 12/08/2018 13:46

I’d be interested in hearing the answers to the above questions.

My only issue with any kind of extreme religious outfit is when I feel like the wearer gets no choice. My personal opinion on dressing in such a way that would make daily life a total chore is that it couldn’t possibly be a personal decision, but hopefully you’ll change my mind on that.

ScreamingValenta · 12/08/2018 13:49

Hi OP. Have you always worn the niqab or did you begin by wearing a hijab?

JessicaPeach · 12/08/2018 13:49

You just lift it up Bee. I must admit to probably looking a bit too interested watching a lady eat an ice cream in Dubai!

Op, why do people choose the different options? I’ve lived very briefly in Dubai and always wondered this as you see a combination of all types in all locations

iamawoman · 12/08/2018 13:53

Why would you choose to wear an item that must at the very least be awfully hot to wear on the summer, is restrictive, ie running for a bus or playing actively with your kids, as well as the fact it is a symbol of oppression and misogyny for many many women.

SippingSipsmith · 12/08/2018 13:54

In what situations or surroundings do you take it off? If you were at home would you have to put it back on if a male relative or friend came over?

Do you wear makeup? On what occasions would you use it?

Yokatsu · 12/08/2018 13:56

If the niqab was banned in public what would you do? Would you be constrained to the house

CocoDeMoll · 12/08/2018 13:58

Hi, really interesting AMA topic . Do you get fed up with assumptions about you based on your choices?

I’ve read ‘from my sisters lips’ and think it’s a really enlightening book on modern women in Islam.

Spudina · 12/08/2018 13:59

Can you understand why in certain circumstances a Niqab isn't a good idea? As an example hospitals don't usually allow staff to wear it as patients want to see the faces of the staff they are being treated by. Also, do you take a vitamin D supplement?

Original poster

JamTea · 12/08/2018 14:00

@Eminboy

Is it your own choice to wear the niqab or do you feel pressure to from your community?

Hi, thanks for the first (and great) question! :) It is completely my own choice to wear the niqab. In the community I currently live in there are very few women who wear niqab, so there's definitely no pressure from the community. In fact I have never lived in a community where I knew anyone that felt pressure to wear the niqab. I did however live in a community where there was a lot of pressure on me from the Muslims there NOT to wear the niqab, and my choice was questioned regularly (and usually repeatedly by the same individuals).

OP posts:

Bluntness100 · 12/08/2018 14:12

Why do you chose it then?

CraftyGin · 12/08/2018 14:15

Do you dress nicely underneath?

GingerPickled · 12/08/2018 14:17

Is it a fashion thing, like a tattoo or dressing as a goth? I am unaware of scripture and a long history of this garment.

RitaMills · 12/08/2018 14:18

Do you ever get abuse in the streets from people, either low level or extreme? If you do does it ever make you question your choice or does it make you more determined to carry on wearing it?

TwistedStitch · 12/08/2018 14:22

Do you feel any discomfort that you are in the 'privileged' position of being able to choose what you wear, yet actively opt to wear something that women in other countries are forced to?

WineCheeseSleep · 12/08/2018 14:32

What circumstances do you not wear it? Presumably you take it off as soon as you get home? What about sports, swimming etc?

Lemond1fficult · 12/08/2018 14:33

Twisted, are you suggesting that OP has a duty not to choose the niqab on behalf of her sisters in other countries who have to wear it? Surely the point of free choice is the right to choose what's best for you, even if others don't have that option?

It's like suggesting all hijabis should choose not to wear hijab on behalf of women in Iran who have to cover their hair.

Also @Bluntness100 - love you living up to your username!

NoTeaNoShadeNoPinkLemonade · 12/08/2018 14:34

How do you keep cool in the heat?

simonisnotme · 12/08/2018 14:36

do you wear it to stand out and 'attract' comments (either positive or negative) so that you can react to them

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 33 34