Muslim Link’s Um Khaleel sits down with three niqab-wearing women to get their perspective on the niqab debate.

I was recently abroad visiting Europe. I decided to go for a walk in the neighborhood I was staying. As I waited at an intersection to cross the road, a lady in niqab (face veil) bid me Assalamu alaykum (peace be upon you). I responded Wa alaykum assalam (And peace be with you too). She asked me how I was doing and I responded that I was well. I responded by asking how she was doing, mostly to be polite. She said she was walking about the neighborhood trying to clear her head. She had a lot on her mind she said. She went on to confide in me, a total stranger from a foreign land, about her troubles.  At the time, I was working on an article about niqab and as she spoke I could not help but try to assess the experience from the perspective of those who criticize the niqab.

It was obvious to me that Zaynab was a woman, I put her age at between 38 and 42 years. I could tell she was dark-skinned and from her accent, she was likely from the Caribbean. She told me about her family as we stopped to chat a while. At the end of our conversation, she bid me farewell and said she felt we would meet again someday.

As I walked away, I felt it had been a positive experience but I could not help but wonder how I would recognize her the next time we meet. Perhaps, she would recognize and approach me?

Niqab may be looked upon as foreign to the Canadian culture. When we are presented with people with a different way of life from us, it can be challenging to wade in that unfamiliar territory. Zaynab seemed to be a woman just like me. Her decision to share her life with me in this way really highlighted her humanity. Perhaps part of what is lacking in the niqab debate is this very humanity of the woman who wears the niqab. Canadians need to explore for their own selves the person behind the “veil.”

Having heard so much about niqab from politicians, government officials and many different bodies, it is high time we heard from the niqabis themselves.

Sister N is a second year student at the University of Ottawa. She’s studying in Political Science.

Um M was born and raised in America, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Education. Currently, she resides in Canada and is a stay-at-home-mom to her two children. Um M has been wearing niqab since the age of 14.

Maryam describes herself as follows “I was born and raised as a Muslim. I have always had Quran in my life but have also had "Western" influence in my life having attended secular schooling.  I completed my secondary school studies at a public Canadian high school.  I currently hold a BA in Psychology.  I became even more inclined to practicing Islam and less influenced by the western lifestyle when I started high school and started learning about Allah and what Islam teaches us about our Creator. I'm married with 3 kids and I am a stay-at-home Mom”.

Why do you wear the niqab?

Sister N - Contrary to popular belief, I choose to wear the niqab for myself. This may sound strange for many but that's the truth. I love the concept behind it and wanted to seek pleasure in my Lord and so I wore it. It's really as simple as that.

Um M - I wear niqab because I believe it is highly recommended in Islam and having worn it for over ten years, see countless benefits that it has brought to my life. More than anything else, I feel that it protected me from a lot of evils, especially in my teen years.

Maryam - In the Quran, Allah has commanded the believing women to conceal their beauty.  The face is one aspect of a woman's beauty which may be covered.  Wearing niqab is an effort to remain modest in accordance with Allah's commands.  It is also an expression that Islam can be practiced in any era or any location because it is a universal way of life that is not restricted to a specific culture or period of time.

What has been your experience with wearing niqab in Canadian society?

Sister N - I'm fortunate enough to live in a city where there is a lot of multiculturalism in which people interact with people of different cultures, religions and ethnic groups. Generally, this makes my experience better because people are much more open, friendly and curious, Discussion are made and on some occasions friendship are forged.

Um M - It has been decent. I have nothing to compare to, I have only lived in the west. However I have never had anything more than some looks and stares every so often.

Maryam - I haven't had any major problems.  Some people do stare and are a bit hostile, especially lately due to everything in the news.  On the other hand, many other people are kind and polite.  I have never had any problem dealing with government officials or anyone that I've interacted with individually.  Usually they are very accommodating.  I try to be courteous and cooperative with others and I feel others usually respond in the same way.

How do you feel about the recent ban on niqab while accessing government institutions in Quebec?

Sister N - I don't think that a ban is necessary especially if it applies to a small group of women who choose to wear it. This only makes matters worse by targeting a specific group and making them feel uneasy in their own society. Quebec should recognize the freedom of choice and should respect women who choose to wear the niqab. The government cannot dictate what a woman can wear or not nor violate their rights. Clearly, there are more pressing issues than the niqab and they should shift their attention towards it. 

Um M - While I feel the ban to be a violation of our freedom of choice and rights, I do understand and agree that for security purposes one should be asked to show their face in certain circumstances, namely, for identification purposes.

Maryam - I am not happy about it and wish the incident that prompted this could have been dealt with between the concerned parties.  Personally I feel the Quebec government jumped at the opportunity to hinder Muslims from openly practicing their faith.  Islam is not just about wearing niqab but this was just the most visible thing they could restrict.

What is your reaction to the concern of Canadians about niqab as a security threat i.e. people do not know who is behind the face covering?

Sister N -  The niqab  doesn't prevent anyone from doing their daily routine whether it is to go to work or even paying taxes. The niqab is definitely not hazardous. There are many different ways by which we use daily to identify someone without seeing their face. This fear that is camouflaged as a security threat is a lack of understanding and misrepresentation of Muslim (women) in the media. 

Um M - I understand it. These are people who have no understanding of Islam and they are afraid by what the media is feeding them. Then they see something very strange to them and cannot identify the person behind it. I think that we have to understand the public. I don't agree with it but I know that there is just a lack of understanding and knowledge.

Maryam - Just because the public doesn't know the person behind the veil, it doesn't mean she is a security threat.  I don't see strangers requesting one another for ID to obtain their full name?  So why do strangers who are passing by need to see my face to know who I am?  I think people just find it unusual why someone would want to cover herself so much in a time when it is the norm for people to bare themselves.

Do you believe niqab hinders communication?

Sister N - No. Absolutely not. In fact, I can perfectly articulate my thoughts and needs to whomever I talk. As a student, I continuously converse with my profs regarding school, organize activities on campus and so forth. Therefore, I don't think niqab is an issue or a  barrier for people to talk with me. I find that it's all about how you carry yourself in public and usually your personality is what define your character and your ability to communicate with others. You can be introvert and barely speak with others and not wear the niqab. Niqab does not create barriers, you as an individual can. Again, the determinative factor is yourself.

Um M - Not at all.

Maryam - Maybe communication from behind a veil is different but it's not difficult.  I know someone who recently attended an international conference at which one of the speakers were wearing niqab and her presentation was among the best!

Do you feel that niqab is a symbol of gender inequality?

Sister N - When people ask this question, they usually hint that Muslim women are oppressed and have no rights. Truthfully speaking, Islam gave rights to women prior to the recent feminist movement. Islam give rights such as women's right to vote, women's rights to own properties, women's rights on keeping her maiden name, women's rights on working and much more. If I belong to such a religion, how could wearing something representing my faith become a symbol of gender inequality? To answer your question, no.

Um M - Not one bit.

Maryam - No.  The way that a Muslim woman dresses, whether that includes veiling the face or not, shows obedience and submission to our Creator and complete trust that Allah knows what is better for us.  It is not any man that is dictating how we should dress but it is Allah, the One who created us and knows us better than our own selves. On the issue of gender equality, I do believe that men and women are equal in the sight of Allah and are judged solely based on righteousness.  But I do also believe that men and women have been created different and cannot be equal in their social dealings, and they each have different rights and responsibilities.  In the example of attire, a man's body is different from a woman's so he cannot be expected to dress in the same way as her.  Islam has freed men and women from being limited by following human opinions and has given men and women roles that are prescribed by the One who created them.

Are there any concessions that you make personally to address public concerns especially regarding security concerns?

Um M - I have always uncovered my face for identification any time needed (airports, borders, license) without being asked.

Maryam - I have no problem unveiling my face for a person who has a reason to verify my identity.

What is your reaction to the suggestion that niqab has no basis in the Islamic faith and is only a cultural practice?

Sister N - Had it been something worn only by Saudi women or Somali women or Pakistani women then I would say that it is in fact a cultural garment. However, the niqab is worn by women of the west, women from Asia, women from Africa, women from Europe. All all these women share one thing in common which is their faith in Islam. Therefore, it must be an Islamic attire because many women of different cultural groups and ethnic groups are wearing it.

Um M - That suggestion is baseless. We know without doubt that niqab was a practice of the companions of the Prophet, may peace be upon him.

Maryam - This is a mistaken opinion.  Commentators of the Quran have differed over whether or not the command for hijab means covering the face is mandatory; but in either case it is well known that veiling the face was a practice of the female companions of the Prophet, may peace be upon him.  And following the Prophet and his companions is part of our religion, not culture.

How will you feel/cope if niqab is banned in government spaces here in Ontario?

Sister N - I would feel cheated by my own country if they were to impose such a ban  and make a decision on my behalf without even consulting me in the first place. 

Um M – Feel - I would be extremely disturbed because we are living in a place where modesty is being banned while schools are teaching children at the age of eight about same sex marriages and their validity. Cope - Going to government places is not something regular, and I already remove it at any check points for identification, so I think I'd cope fine. The thought, however, is disturbing.

Maryam - I would abide by the law if I can't avoid the situation, but I feel it would be an infringement on my right to practice my religion.

How does the fact that 80 per cent of Canadians support a ban on Niqab make you feel?

Sister N - I think the reason why the percentage is high is because many small cities in Canada are not exposed by multiculturalism. Therefore, if they don't see people looking different that them or even do things differently than they do, it's natural for them to hold such a position. But they should be reminded of the rights that all Canadians have which are the freedom of religious practice and the freedom of choice.

Um M - It makes me feel that we are really not doing our job in our dawah. I compare it to children. They really don't know better. They follow the lead of the media.

Maryam - If it's not niqab, I'm sure people will find something else to criticise.  That's why I'd rather leave it to people to hold their opinions and I will continue to strive to be a better Muslimah and achieve Allah's pleasure, as that is my primary focus.  In the meantime, I hope there will be more awareness of Islam and more positive dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims as a result of so much attention drawn towards Muslims.

Anything else you want to add?

Sister N - I think the real issue is not the niqab. In general, Islam is misrepresented in the media. Education is the only way to remove this fear, ignorance and ban. It is by understanding each other and not by restricting others people's rights do we make a positive change in our society.

Um M - I think if instead of the ban, they stated that for identification/ security purposes, one must show face and check ID at any government spaces, then most people would not have a problem with it. But banning niqab itself just makes it a personal attack on a religious matter, hence the outrage.

 Maryam - It's sad that lately Muslim women's rights to dress modestly are being infringed but what disurbs me more is that no one is talking Allah's Rights upon mankind.  Talking about God or religion has become taboo in our society. Our Creator is not being given His Right - on a daily basis, people still refuse to worship Him alone or recognize His Role in our lives, or even acknowledge His Existence! It's obvious that the niqab issue has gotten so much attention in the media lately and as Muslims we need to address it and clarify it, but this issue is miniscule compared to the greater problem, and that is people don't understand the core message of Islam, and the need to single out Allah with all worship, and to recognize His true Majesty.  When we can come to terms with people about that, only then can we hope they will start understanding or accepting niqab.