Behind the Veil

Black long veil covering her body from head to toe,  faceless with piercing eyes seen through the small opening above her nose, walking in the crowd in silence is how Western often stereotype Muslim women. Muslim women and veiling has brought great attention around the world. A simple piece of clothing can cause such uproar in our society today. When we hear the term “veiling,” most of us would think of oppress Muslim women; that veiling is a symbol of oppression, rather than a religious choice. I am almost certain that most of us have no idea what veiling means to Muslim women. Instead of labeling these women with stereotypical depiction of how Muslim women should be, we should learn the significant meaning of covering one’s body with a simple garment truly mean.

Muslim women’s faith is easily identified by the clothing they wear. These clothing comes in different names such as: niqab, abaay, hijab, burga, and chador. It varies from a full garment covering your whole body to a piece of scarf covering just your head. The symbolic meaning to veiling has been distorted by Western media because now we refer Muslim clothing or dress as a symbol of terrorism or oppression.  Especially ever since 9/11, Western media has been fascinated with “veiling” in the Muslim world, but images that are shown on television are images that represent Muslim women to be oppressed by men. Not once have the media try to break the stereotype of Muslim women by asking them one simple question, “Why do you wear the veil?”

I am Indonesian, and for those who don't know, Indonesia is the number one most Muslim majority country in the world, for 89% of its population is Muslims. I, myself, am a Christian, but almost all of my relatives from my mom's side are Muslim. Also, I have many Muslim friends who are really good friends of mine. I know a few who covers their body with a piece of veil, and I would ask them why do they do it? The answer they gave me was very simple, it's because they choose to wear it, because they want to wear it as a religious purpose; they were being pious. Many of us are not aware that although in some part of the Muslim world women are required to cover their body, however the majority Muslim women, to cover or not, is mainly made by choice. According to many Muslim women, covering oneself is a sign of obedience, or obeying God.

We should all take notice and really think about the meaning behind "veiling" of Muslim women. Veiling does not mean Muslim women are oppressed, or they are some sort of terrorist. Why can't we view veiling to be something positive rather than negative? Why can't we view veiling to be a simple pious act of one's religion? If only media shows more than what they have been showing us on television, maybe we can have a better insight and understanding about the Muslim world. If the Western world are truly "fascinated" with veiling, then we are ought to find the true meaning behind it, and not simply agree to what the media perceived veiling to be.