I wear a niqab! AMA

[JamTea]

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

Is it not isolating? I know a lot of of people who wear hijabs, no problem with that at all as they can still be out having face to face conversations. I was walking down the street with a Muslim friend once and someone came up to her wearing a Niqab. They chatted away for a couple of mins. Then she went on her way and my friend turned to me and said "I have no idea who that was!"

I'd happily start a conversation with a stranger in a hijab but I wouldn't with one in a niqab

The OP is not really answering many people's questions so what's the point of this thread

As other PPs have mentioned, I’m also curious about why in London, where I live, girls in school and their mums used to not cover in primary school in the 80s but now my daughters classmates and their mums are covered?

Another question is that if a woman is more covered does that show she is more religious and she would be more socially conservative or traditional in other areas of Islamic law too or does that not necessarily follow?

There are a few women living near me who wear a niqab. I'd like to say hi to them in the street when we pass each other, but I can only sometimes recognise them by their children, or the man they're with. How can I develop a basic "saying hi to your neighbour" relationship with them when I can't recognise them? Is there like a hand signal or something?!

I say hi to everyone else on my street and some of them have kids the same age as mine, so it feels a bit shit not to acknowledge them.

Screw Boris BTW, I am absolutely furious on your behalf as well as everyone else the tories have ever insulted. Which is a very long list. :(.

Do you understand how it makes others feel uncomfortable when they can’t see your face? For example, not being able to assess your emotions when talking to you.

How old were you when you started wearing the niqab OP? Is there an age where it's expected that a girl/woman will start to wear one, or is it more about the individual's decision about when it feels right?

And is it always black? If so, do you feel you're missing out on showing your personality/style through what you wear, or do the religious reasons for wearing it outweigh this?

When men are in public they must lower their gaze (so look down).

But they don't.

Do you have children and if you have girls will you expect them to wear a niqab?

OP don't you feel that as a woman we should fiercely reject any ideology that seeks to oppress women or treat them as lesser than men? By wearing the niqab even of your own choice arent you upholding a system that treats women and girls appallingly badly?

The OP is notvreally answering many of the (very interesting) questions being asked of her. Such a shame.

Is it very hot?

I was also wondering how do people drive in burquas? Would it be legal, as your vision would be so limited?

Hello :)

What do you think to compulsory hijab in Iran and the Stealthy Freedom movement to oppose it?

Why do women need to be modest to feel they are closer to your god, but men do not have to do that?

Eating is restrictive and communicating body language is near impossible. How do you manage these things?

Thank you

Do you accept that people may feel uncomfortable not seeing your face? As they do with people wearing crash helmets etc

My hearing is not great, and I know that I watch people's mouths when they talk. How do hearing impaired people in the muslim community deal with this if women are wearing the niqab? They must be very isolated.

@Bluntness100

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

I am not sure I have understood your question properly? I don't really feel anything in particular? My sisters don't wear it, most of my friends don't wear it, so I am very used to people not wearing it and I completely 110% respect their choice. In fact if one of my friends wanted to wear it, I would tell her to think properly through the decision, and the implications it will have on her movement and life (because of the negative public perception). So I certainly don't promote the niqab, but it is a real struggle to wear, especially in this climate, and not everyone has the stamina to put up with comments and looks.

Why do you chose to wear it?

I was waiting for this question :) I wear it because the Prophet's wives wore it, and I believe I will be rewarded for wearing it, and it brings me closer to God. That is my main reason for wearing it. There are other side advantages for me such as I don't need to bother with make up as much when popping out, I am much less conscious of my acne scars than my sibling who doesn't wear niqab, and I can also remain anonymous which was really helpful when I lived in a very close knit nosey community.

Is it your choice or are you expected to?
I am most definitely not expected to, it is completely my choice. In fact my in-laws don't like the fact I wear it, and like to drop hints about it, which I can understand but find it frustrating. My husband supports me but he would prefer I did not wear it, as it is easier when we are out in public, and sometimes he worries about my safety.

How do you do things like eat in public? Ie lunch at work?
I usually find a quiet spot and put it up or I can even eat with my niqab on, just lifting it a little. Ice cream on a cone is a bit of struggle but other than it is pretty easy. Some halal restaurants have private booths, which are more comfortable to relax in.

Ooh there's lost of questions :) I will answer them I promise, hopefully some later on this evening and tomorrow morning.

I wear it because the Prophet's wives wore it, and I believe I will be rewarded for wearing it, and it brings me closer to God

Who were the wives what ages were they and what is the wording of the scripture? Thank you.

Surely if you are the only one who wears it in your small community you will stand out more rather than remain anonymous?

Hi Op,

I fully respect your choice to wear whatever you choose, but I hope you can understand that for those of us who do not share your faith, it can be very difficult to understand why Muslim women cover their hair and face, while men do not. To us, this looks like inequality and discrimination, which we find troubling.

So could you please help us to understand why in your culture women are expected to cover so much more than men?

Thank you.

Do you think youd be quite happy to live in one of the countries where it is enforced. What are your feelings about their modesty.

Op, in the limited answers you've given, that's not a criticism, more scale, you've mentioned anonymity twice. Why do you need anonymity in your community? It's clearly important for you as it's been repeated but why is it so important to you?

It sounds like a hairshirt, which very devout Catholics might wear privately to suffer for spiritual reward. So why choose a 'lovely breathable' fabric? If the point is to suffer?

Also the hair shirt was secret. The whole point was not to display your piety.

Isn't it a matter of debate if the prophets, wives, which there was a lot I think. About 13 of them, wore the Niqab or not and that it is down to the translation? Most think they were behind screens as opposed to veils?

And that it is actually going against the prophet to cover your face?

I know very little about it, but it seems that it is more cultural to wear it, and not the overwhelming view of the Muslim religion.

So my question is where do your beliefs come from, it appears a minority view and not aligned with your family. Did your mother wear it?

"O Asma', when a woman reaches the age of puberty, nothing should be seen of her except for this and this; the hands and the face."

— Prophet Muhammad, (Narrated by Sunan Abu Dawood)[15]
Although there is no Islamic scripture, neither Quaranic nor Hadith, where females are required to cover their face and hands, there is on the contrary a Hadith where it is narrated that the Prophet himself taught, in accordance to his Sunnah, that it is in fact forbidden (haraam), at least during Hajj and Umrah, for females to veil (niqab) their face, even if at other times the female insists on wearing niqab, against Islamic scripture:

"It is forbidden for a woman who is in the state of Ihram to cover her face."

— Prophet Muhammad, (Narrated by Sahih al-Bukhari)[16]