Why Muslim women wear a hijab, burka or niqab & the importance of modesty in Islam | ABC Australia

For Muslim women, wearing the hijab can bring a sense of pride, but it can also attract racism as misconceptions and assumptions prevail. So, let's set the record straight.

0:00 Hijabs explained
0:16 What is the importance of modesty in Islam?
0:40 What is a hijab?
1:25 Are hijabs only for women?
2:15 Are hijab, niqab and burqa the same?
2:41 Are jilbabs and burqas types of hijabs?
3:22 Why do some women cover their faces?
3:52 Do women have a choice in wearing a hijab?
5:16 Do women wear a hijab all the time?
6:14 Why do some Muslim women not wear a hijab?

📽 Video produced by Zena Chamas, Amal Wehbe, Fiona Purcell and Anthony Scully and edited by Anthony Scully and Sharon Gordon.

House of Gods vision courtesy of Matchbox Pictures.

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Please note: On most of our videos, the captions/subtitles are auto-generated by YouTube.

[AuntySMac]

Thank you for this video. I like to think of myself as a very open and accepting person. I love learning more about other people's ways of experiencing the world. I knew some of the names for the physical coverings, but i didn't know the spiritual meaning of hijab. Something new to ponder and respect 😊

[shiraleeana]

This is a great video. Maybe the ending could have been a bit less abrupt, or offered a positive attitudinal or behavioural change to people?

[kimberlyokeeffe]

My church is an Anabaptist and we do wear a head covering as part of our faith. It can look like a doily and it is placed on the top of our head. I wear it to follow First Corinthians 11:3-16. I consider it an outwards representation of my commitment to follow Jesus and his teachings. I joined my church as an adult, knowing that a covering was part of the 'requirements' to be a member. I don't feel it is a burden and I find that I am more centered in my daily life as it reminds me to be the women that I wan to be.
Personally, I fell a closeness with any women who choose to wear a head covering as part of their faith. It gives me a sense that they are walking a similar path as me.

[hvcqlwl]

As a non-Muslim, I love foods in AU, and Hui foods in China.

[Basic-zrsb]

Also, just to clarify the choice part since it's kind of controversial sometimes whether if it's really a choice or not. It's not really a simple choice (like for example if I asked you if u want chocolate or vanilla ice-cream) where both options yield the same result. It's a bit more complex than that. In the Quran, women are commanded to cover themselves. However, since this command is only for 'adults' (i.e. the minimum requirement for it in Islam is people who have reached puberty) it is also assumed that the decision-maker is mature and has a good sense of right and wrong and therefore, they can make sound decisions and be be held responsible for the consequences of their own actions (children can not). So the choice really is about being presented with the benefits and consequences of both sides of the decision and picking what you think is best for you and then not only enjoying its benefits, but also facing its consequences. (Yes, there are consequences on both sides in this case, not just one). Also, just remember that although, covering yourself is a great bonus to your deeds to get into heaven, it does not give you a free pass into heaven- you still have to observe proper hijab (in terms of your behaviors, mannerisms, lowering your gaze, etc.) and follow the rest of the commandments. A non-hijabi who follows the rest of the commandments is still better than one who's simply a hijabi in clothing, but doesn't follow any of the other commands.
Sorry abt the rant
TLDR: It's a choice between right and wrong- not one between two equal options.

[asifhashmi]

I like the part where men will have to lower their gaze which is a hijab for men. 😎👏👏Subhan Allah. 🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉

[mikebarton]

As long as those wearing them *CHOOOSE* to wear them. Fair enough?

[vanessac]

I'm a Muslim who doesn't wear the hijab, I focus on dressing modestly, but I respect very much the choice for other sisters to wear it. I do love the feeling of my head being covered like with a beanie, hat or scarf, so I understand the idea of 'energetic' protection. I think the right to modest public spaces is one of Islam's valuable concepts. It means when we're in public everything is not sexualised, we minimise sexual competition instead of presenting ourselves to score status points from others, but rather from the heart. Yes in other parts of the world hijab is not a choice but in Western culture it's compulsory to cover breasts outside the beach: are we oppressed because of that? Women from cultures where they expose their breasts constantly probably see women in shirts in the west as oppressed because we can get arrested! It's all relative. It really amazes me how Muslims are dehumanised for an extra bit of fabric.

[Ibli-ch]

Hijab is a command from God and protection for women. As God has made us, therefore He knows what's best for us. When they are talking about choice, it's whether to follow the command or not.
As a muslim woman, i love my hijab and wear it proudly.

[fld]

Why is this not protested -how about men learning to control themselves

[muzzammiladams]

The actual reason muslim women wear the hijab is because it's a commandment From Allah ( God) and his Final Messanger (Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him) . They are the sources of Law and guidance for every Muslim. The hijab is a commandment from Allah just as performing salah, hajj and fasting is. So if a Muslim women doesn't wear it wherever she is supposed to wear it she'll be considered sinful.

[ummpearls]

When someone asks why I choose to wear a hijab...I ask people what did your grandmother or great grandmother wear. Invariably women all over the world dressed modesty until global capitalism took over. Fast fashion is all about changing our clothes at a moments choice.

[hamzatanveer]

The verse "There is no compulsion in religion" was abrogated. Why you guys telling lies?

[zigzig]

I have read Asra Nomani books and heard her speeches like Samina Ali, where they explained why women started to cover. And according to them hijab or veil is meant in esoteric or spiritual meaning both physically.
I mean Bedouins covered because of climate, so many probably copied that.
I don’t think modesty means covering the head. You can just dress decently. Also modestly is different for many people. Like there is a tribe Himba in Namibia, where women walk half naked and no one harassed them, because they dress according to their culture.

[muzzammiladams]

Also I would love to have seen more experts on Islamic law in this video. To Give the proper understanding. Not just normal Muslims. If this channel did a video, on something in the medical field, for example, they would have interviewed proper qualified doctors. Not just some lay man who happens to know something about medicine. Let's have some scholarly integrity please.

[cinefile]

All religions are made by men so patriarchal "culture" gonna be there. Islam is the most beautiful patriarchal among them. Women can't live without male guardian according to hadish. Saudi Arabia used to do these to their women until mbs

[guytitanic]

Lets face it its Desert garb to keep from the wind sand and sun especially sand

[thestarspark]

Its just another construct of patriarchy. Virtually all religions perpetuate patriarchy. Think critically.