My conversion to Islaam from Catholicism occurred some thirteen odd years ago. Over the years I have been dismayed at the reaction amongst some members of the British public to my attire. I am of course referring to my face veil, or niqaab, as it is called in Arabic. Having adopted the veil a few months after becoming Muslim, I can proudly say that my veil is not a recent rebellion against Jack Straw’s obnoxious comments. However, it is obviously seen by some less educated members of the planet as waving the proverbial red flag at a bloodthirsty bull.

Take today, for example. It’s pelting down with rain (typical British weather) and I have to go to the post office to send some letters abroad. With my three children in tow, I expect my only confrontation to be over their insistence at splashing in the puddles and soaking their jeans. (I omit to tell them that I too loved doing that at their age.) However, to my dismay, they were exposed to an unpleasant incident. Just as we reached our destination, I spotted a man in a wheelchair being accompanied with his friend. I barely had time to finish my thoughts regarding if this man is ever discriminated against, when his moronic friend decides to scream “NINJA!” in my direction. After a split-second dilemma of whether to use a word my children would be shocked at, or set a good example and turn the other cheek, I decided on the former. Shocked that I understood English, let alone the fact that I had called him an expletive (never mind which one!), he nervously looked down as we entered the post office.

As I waited in the queue, I wondered if I’d done the right thing. After all, the man was still outside, and could very well decide to follow us on the way home and further abuse me. As a mother, my children’s safety was foremost in my mind. Still, I failed to see why I should meekly scurry past this man, when I had done nothing wrong. Surely any bully depends on the victim being intimidated. I recalled how Muslim adults, let alone children, would flee past the second Caliph of Islaam, Umar ibn Al Khattab (RA). This was not because he was a tyrannical ruler, but rather due to his relentless pursuit of justice. One exception to the rule was the young Abdullah ibn Zubair. When his friends ran past Umar, he stood his ground. Umar asked him, “Why didn’t you flee with your friends?” Abdullah replied, “I did not commit a sin, that I should fear you. And I did not make the road narrow for you, that I should make it vast for you.” It’s an attitude I admire. I have always instilled into my children that part of the character of a Muslim is bravery. Although I am not in favour of provoking a confrontation and placing myself and my family in danger, I am also opposed to letting a coward get away with insulting me simply because I veil.

As we reside in East London, the public are familiar with the veil, even if they are not always comfortable with it. I have been fortunate that the incidents I have experienced have only ever been minor ones. Shouts of “terrorist!” or “ninja” is usually as far as it goes. Due to the fact that I very rarely go outdoors without my chauffeur (husband), such events are rare. And that’s the crux of the matter, isn’t it? Why is it, that when I am alone, I am far more likely to be sworn at, then when my husband is walking beside me? The only answer I can think of is cowardice. For a grown man who is taller and heavier than me to feel that he is being “brave” by insulting my veil – and by extension my religion – in front of small children is pathetically spineless.

We leave the post office and sure enough, there he is, waiting with his friend. Decision time: do I cross the road and risk him shouting out abuse as we travel up the road, or walk past him, appearing to be unfazed? I decided on the latter. Albeit nervous, I feel reassured by the fact that I am armed. Yes, I am armed with a powerful weapon: dua (supplication) to my Lord. I quietly recite “Hasbunallaahu wa ni’mal wakeel” (Allah is sufficient for us and the best Disposer of affairs) make eye-contact and walk towards them. All praise is for Allah, the coward looks away and we pass by him without incident.

Of course, it is not only veiled Muslim women whose attire evokes unwelcome responses. As any woman will affirm, their choice of clothing will quite often elicit an equally intimidating and unwelcome reaction: wolf whistles, or the invariably corny “Give us a smile darlin'!” and so forth. How shallow is a society where what one wears is the determining factor for acceptance. How degrading is it that a woman's naked body has to be placed next to whichever product is displayed from the billboards. And they think that veiling oppresses women?!

As a convert in the post 9/11 world I know that to the West, a veil is now synonymous with terrorism over oppression. My father, a middle-class Catholic, once rang me the day after 9/11 to enquire as to my whereabouts. “So? What have you been up to?” he asked, in an attempt to appear casual. “Well, it wasn’t me,” I assured him. We laughed together, but he is clearly relieved. He never ceases to amuse me with his proposals.

“I’ll give you a thousand pounds if you take off your veil and walk down the length of Oxford Street with me,” he offered, perfectly serious.

I briefly imagined him in a red suit complete with horns, tail and pitchfork – an Indian Beelzebub. “Father! Do not try to buy me,” I admonished whilst trying not to laugh. He sighed with mock despair. “You’re even more brainwashed than I’d imagined. And what did you do with that Eid money I gave you? Did you buy yourself something? I’m not paying for Usamah bin Laden’s phone bill. You heard me?” “Yes, yes.” I reassured him. It is my turn to sigh.

But why is the veil seen as such a threat? Is it really likely that the man in question would think that I am a member of Al-Qaeda? Is it fear of the unknown? Or is it simply the case that such an individual would just as easily abuse someone who is obese, or of a different colour?

Recently a veiled Muslim woman was ordered off the bus by the driver. Not because she had not paid her fare, or because she was being violent. She was evicted because a group of passengers had declared that they would not ride in the same bus as her. How many times did Southerners force black Americans to sit at the back, or even disembark? No doubt, the Muslim apologists would hastily deny that Muslims are not second-class citizens in this “multicultural” country. Whatever the reason, the veil is currently and erroneously viewed as a militant political statement, rather than a religious observation.

My family know my character. I am not a veiled stranger passing by. Yet in a sense I am a stranger to them too. The veil is something that they cannot accept. It singles me out for hostility, when they would prefer me anonymous and accepted. My family is liberal and educated, yet they too have the same outlook as the man on the street. The only difference is that my father would probably only think what that man voiced.

As Muslims we believe in the prophecies of Muhammad, the last Messenger to mankind. “Islaam began as a stranger and will return as a stranger. So tooba (a tree in Paradise) is for the strangers.” An orthodox Muslim is a stranger all right, not just to non-Muslims, but to the majority of Muslims as well.

A few days ago I was introduced to a Muslim lady. She does not wear any hijaab. “Don’t you think the veil is a barrier? I myself felt that you wouldn’t want to talk to me, as I don’t look like a religious Muslim.” Her candid observation makes me smile. It isn’t the first time that a Muslim lady has stared at my veil. “You’d love Dubai,” a close friend once assured me. Turning, she called to her eldest daughter. “Aisha! I was just saying to aunty that she’d love Dubai. She’d look normal there.” This remark really made me laugh. My friend is a Muslim who wears a hijaab, and yet by her own admission, I don’t look “normal”.

I am not naïve. I acknowledge that the veil is a barrier to face-to-face communication, but that's its very purpose. It's supposed to seclude us away from unwelcome male attention. True, not many women approach to give me the time of day, but I doubt that is solely to do with being veiled. British society is notoriously aloof by nature. Even before accepting Islaam one would, for the most part, walk down the street ignoring everyone else and being ignored. On the Net I am able to debate with people, Muslim or not, and put my view across without needing to show my face (or expose my legs) in order to be acknowledged. On the street however, I would never be accorded that chance. It is assumed that I can't speak English or hold an opinion.

“Oh Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves their outer garments.That is more suitable that they will be known [as chaste believing women] and not molested." [Surah al-Ahzab 33:59]

This is the only reason why I veil, as I believe it to be an action that is highly rewarded and recommended in Islaam. How ironic that a piece of cloth, meant to be worn for modesty often provokes violent reactions. Despite not paying an annual membership fee to Hamas or Al-Qaeda, my choice to veil signifies to some that I am a radical. Maybe that's why many fear the veil.

I can’t really stay angry with the imbecile on the street. He judged me by my appearance, and we all make preconceptions when seeing a stranger. I don’t intend to intimidate or offend the public. My conservative outlook is just as offended by nudity as many are offended by my veiling. The difference is that I don’t abuse people for not veiling as I do. I don’t force my religious views upon them, but nor will I apologise for them.

So the next time you walk past a veiled woman, don’t assume that she is a threat. Trust me; she is highly unlikely to ever receive an Asbo. Don’t assume that she can’t speak English, that she was born in Saudi, or that she is a highly trained assassin. But if you do feel the need to call out something idiotic, don’t assume that she won’t understand... or retort!

Source: al-istiqamah.com