Salaams sister and thank you so much for reminding me of the brilliance of Fanon. Studied Fanon’s works at Uni as a student of Social Anthropology which is in its essence a practice of Neo-Colonialism. Years later I was chosen to be a Muslim by our beloved creator. Reading your piece so poignantly brought me back to the essence of why I love my hijab. It’s not just about hiding my hair, deflecting male attention, holding onto my hayah, or representing and preserving my Muslim identity…it’s an extension of Allah’s love that cascades down from the Quran, and eloquently and elegantly drapes me in mercy, protection and infinite love. It’s my ‘piece of cloth’ that I hold onto to keep me connected to Allah swt. And what could be more beautiful than that? Alhumdullilah.
Do you feel any attempt to use the hijab as a talking point for a political agenda cheapens your personal relationship to Allah swt, or does it exist independently from it?
I've never worn a hijab, but I cringe whenever someone tries to politicize my faith into an opportunity of political solidarity. I understand they have good intentions, but for me it cheapens my relationship to Allah swt if there's strings attached.
People will always have something to say about women in hijabs, and I was wondering if you ever offer space for those beliefs ("A hijab exercises a woman's right to her body", "Hijabs are expressions of your personal identity", etc) or maybe those beliefs, regardless of your agreement to them, would undermine your faith.
Thank you, Zahra. Brilliant work. Your comments on the hijab and the threats it poses to the colonizer were so good. There are so many references to Fanon. You go deeper. Aime Cesaire was another great comrade. Miguel Angel Asturias, aussi.
Beautifully written, full of things I want to underline. I just read Wretched of the Earth and stopped to read and reread so this post was timely and helpful. I love when smart people help me take the next leap! Thank you.
"...the mind, once fully colonised, polices itself."
Damn straight.
This not only applies to the subject populations, but also to the colonizers. Americans have been marketed narratives that cripple their ability to understand their own lives, and don't serve their needs, but they are overwhelmingly afraid to ask basic questions. Americans have a policeman living in their brains. Frank Zappa commented: "A lot of people police their own brains. They're like citizen soldiers, so to speak. I've seen people who will willingly arrest, try and punish their own brains. Now that's really sad. That's vigilante brain policism. It's not even official, it's like self-imposed. ... It's hard to pin it down to one central agency when you realize that so many people are willing to do it to themselves."
Americans are puzzled, and have been slow to realise the fact that it's the same machinery that colonized Africa and Asia over the course of the past several centuries, that has also colonized them, both mentally and economically, although in less direct or obvious ways.
When empire runs out of new territory to conquer, the guns increasingly turn inward.
Wonderfully written Zahra! This is a profound reflection on the horribly painful legacy of the colonizer left indelibly seared into the hearts and minds of the colonized. Colonization leaves not just physical scars and wounds, but also devalues and dehumanizes the oppressed in their minds. But this reflection gives me hope that those who are oppressed through this system can reclaim their heritage and the parts of their identities that the colonizers want them to be ashamed of and hide. I liked that you included examples from your own life experiences and the idea of the hijab as allowing women to reclaim their inherent dignity and virtue, which is often cast aside and trampled upon by the overarching focus of society on their sexual openness and desirability.
Salaams sister and thank you so much for reminding me of the brilliance of Fanon. Studied Fanon’s works at Uni as a student of Social Anthropology which is in its essence a practice of Neo-Colonialism. Years later I was chosen to be a Muslim by our beloved creator. Reading your piece so poignantly brought me back to the essence of why I love my hijab. It’s not just about hiding my hair, deflecting male attention, holding onto my hayah, or representing and preserving my Muslim identity…it’s an extension of Allah’s love that cascades down from the Quran, and eloquently and elegantly drapes me in mercy, protection and infinite love. It’s my ‘piece of cloth’ that I hold onto to keep me connected to Allah swt. And what could be more beautiful than that? Alhumdullilah.
Wsalams, beautiful! I’m so glad the essay resonated in the way it did for you.
Do you feel any attempt to use the hijab as a talking point for a political agenda cheapens your personal relationship to Allah swt, or does it exist independently from it?
I've never worn a hijab, but I cringe whenever someone tries to politicize my faith into an opportunity of political solidarity. I understand they have good intentions, but for me it cheapens my relationship to Allah swt if there's strings attached.
People will always have something to say about women in hijabs, and I was wondering if you ever offer space for those beliefs ("A hijab exercises a woman's right to her body", "Hijabs are expressions of your personal identity", etc) or maybe those beliefs, regardless of your agreement to them, would undermine your faith.
this was so thought provoking! i love how much i learn and think when i read your work
I’m so beyond happy to hear that Samantha! Thank you ❤️
Subhanallah such a powerful article! 🎉
Thank you!
Thank you, Zahra. Brilliant work. Your comments on the hijab and the threats it poses to the colonizer were so good. There are so many references to Fanon. You go deeper. Aime Cesaire was another great comrade. Miguel Angel Asturias, aussi.
Thank you Jeff!
Wow Zara! That was a brilliant article 🙌.
Loved it 💯
Thank you!
Beautifully written, full of things I want to underline. I just read Wretched of the Earth and stopped to read and reread so this post was timely and helpful. I love when smart people help me take the next leap! Thank you.
"...the mind, once fully colonised, polices itself."
Damn straight.
This not only applies to the subject populations, but also to the colonizers. Americans have been marketed narratives that cripple their ability to understand their own lives, and don't serve their needs, but they are overwhelmingly afraid to ask basic questions. Americans have a policeman living in their brains. Frank Zappa commented: "A lot of people police their own brains. They're like citizen soldiers, so to speak. I've seen people who will willingly arrest, try and punish their own brains. Now that's really sad. That's vigilante brain policism. It's not even official, it's like self-imposed. ... It's hard to pin it down to one central agency when you realize that so many people are willing to do it to themselves."
Americans are puzzled, and have been slow to realise the fact that it's the same machinery that colonized Africa and Asia over the course of the past several centuries, that has also colonized them, both mentally and economically, although in less direct or obvious ways.
When empire runs out of new territory to conquer, the guns increasingly turn inward.
Wonderfully written Zahra! This is a profound reflection on the horribly painful legacy of the colonizer left indelibly seared into the hearts and minds of the colonized. Colonization leaves not just physical scars and wounds, but also devalues and dehumanizes the oppressed in their minds. But this reflection gives me hope that those who are oppressed through this system can reclaim their heritage and the parts of their identities that the colonizers want them to be ashamed of and hide. I liked that you included examples from your own life experiences and the idea of the hijab as allowing women to reclaim their inherent dignity and virtue, which is often cast aside and trampled upon by the overarching focus of society on their sexual openness and desirability.