Funny Questions I Get as a Hijabi—and Their Answers
As a Hijabi Muslim woman, there are a lot of funny questions that I get. Some of them make me laugh, and some of them are… well… interesting. Here are 11 common questions or comments I get.
1. Are you hot in that?
Yes, I’m hot in this. Thank you for noticing.
2. Can I see your hair?
What do you think? @ray_sketch16
3. Are you forced to wear that?
Honey, I’m an independent woman. I make my own decisions. Dina Tokio
4. Do you wear that in the shower?
That’s a personal question. @ray_sketch16
5. Does the different color scarf mean a higher rank in the religion?
No. Scarves are not taekwondo belts (although I kind of wish they were). @iffahlukislukis
6. Can you hear with that thing on?
I’m sorry, did you say something? @iffahlukislukis
7. Do you know her? (Pointing at a random hijabi women).
Yes. Absolutely. I automatically know every hijabi woman in the country by default. Oh wait. I do know her. Hide me. @yesimhotinthis
8. Do you drink coffee?
Lol. Yes. Wrong religion. @yesimhotinthis
9. Are you allowed to fall in love?
Are you asking for you or for a friend? Upworthy
10. I’ve been to Turkey before.
Congratulations. rosestories
11. Are you shy?
Hmm… @lsarsour
In all seriousness, hijabi women face a lot of microaggressions, racism and, sometimes, dangerous situations because of how they dress. People often criticize Muslim majority countries for policing how women dress, but Western countries not only police how Muslim women dress, but also pass harmful islamophobic legistlation.
In March 2021, French senate passed a bill banning Muslim girls under the age of 18 from wearing the hijab. The bill also banned hijabi mothers from attending school field trips under the guise of separation of state from religion. This bill expanded on the 2004 law that banned religious symbols in public schools but targeted the hijab in particular. These islamophobic laws violate the freedom of religion and of expression that Western coutnries regard to highly.
The hijab is a religious symbol but also a means of expression. It means something different for every hijabi. Hijabi women are not all the same, don’t make assumptions or generalizations about us. Don’t judge a Muslim woman if she decided to start wearing the hijab or decided to take it off. It is a very difficult personal decision either way.
If you’re curious about what you should say to a hijabi, here are a few examples:
I’m curious why you wear the Hijab. Would you mind sharing with me?
You look very beautiful. I like your scarf.
I admire your willpower to to wear the hijab even in hot weather.
I’m proud of you for wearing the hijab even when you face islamophobia and potentially dangerous situations.
Let me know if anyone says something to you or makes you feel uncomfortable. I got your back.
Written by Hanin Najjar
