Will the anti-hijab campaign succeed ?

Egyptian journalist Sharif Al-Shwashi has launched a campaign called “Remove your Hijab”, which has provoked considerable debate in newspapers and on television and social media between supporters and opponents. His provocative call for taking off the hijab in Egypt was highly controversial not only in Egypt, but also in the Gulf.

The journalist made an open invitation to all women wearing headscarves to gather in Tahrir Square in the heart of the Egyptian capital in early May to take off their headscarves in public. He said the objective is to confront “extremist ideology”, but opponents counter that this call contradicts the freedom of dress. Shwashi also justified his call by saying that “seven out of every 10 women wear headscarves either due to fear or threats from family members”. The liberals were pleased by the call and were its first supporters.

They consider the hijab a symbol of backwardness and think Egypt was better “without the veil”, a reference to the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s when the hijab was not widespread. Tweeters were split on when the hijab appeared in the Egyptian society and whether it is a religious duty or a cultural dress that entered Egypt because of Egyptian workers who live in the Gulf states. The hair cover has been part of the traditional women’s dress among the people of the Gulf throughout history. In Kuwait, specifically in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, women used to put on a black abaya when leaving the house, and the hair was covered by the abaya too, so some may be right when they claim that the hair cover is part of the traditions of the people of the Gulf.

The journalist has the right to express his opinion, but to call for a public gathering to take off the hijab in an Islamic country is illogical, racist and outrageous, especially when he said that “99 percent of prostitutes wear the hijab”, a statement that sparked widespread condemnation. His call is no different from typical religious calls in favor of the hijab, as women are expected to move on the path that is drawn by men without any freedom of choice.

The problem in the Arab world is that women are not seen as independent figures or even full humans with a mind and brain, but followers who should obey. I totally agree that some women may have been forced to wear the hijab or accept arranged marriages against their will, but how many of them filed a complaint against their parents or husband? Everyone is entitled to promote any idea to take off the veil or niqab, but this call seems inappropriate at a time when Egypt is witnessing instability, unrest and difficult economic conditions. If someone doesn’t like a certain dress code, he/she must think twice that this could be his/her personal choice. I feel the same way against the niqab, but if a country’s law allows women to wear it, then I must respect it.

Egypt is an Islamic country and if the laws approve it, then it should be no one’s business to object. France, for example, bans the veil, and so be it - it is their country and their laws. Many people have rejected Shwashi’s call, accusing him of trying to change the cultural identity of the Egyptian society, and set up several hashtags on social media. Time will tell if this campaign will succeed or not. It surely attracted public attention, but how many will heed this journalist’s call?

By Muna al-fuzai

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