Australian women fight Islamophobia with scarves

[Judi Lynn]

October 3, 2014

Australian women fight Islamophobia with scarves

Citizens snap 'hijab selfies' to show solidarity amid recent targeted attacks.

The campaign was started by activist and lawyer Mariam Veiszadeh in the wake of several alleged attacks on Muslim women in Australia. Last week, a 26-year-old Muslim woman was reportedly physically and verbally attacked at a train station. Muslim activists throughout the country say they have seen a "massive spike in racist attacks".

Australian lawmakers are also considering plans to ban women who wear full face-coverings from sitting in public galleries in parliament. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he wished the face-coverings were "not worn" but a day later he stepped in and called on parliament to rethink the plans.

To show support for the Muslim community, many Australian women have shared photos of themselves wearing headscarves under #WISH:

(Photos follow)

http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201410032301-0024207

[Scootaloo]

1. Ah, another state trying to "liberate" women by restricting their right to dress as they may please

[Judi Lynn]

2. I really appreciate seeing this illustration. Thank you. n/t

[Scootaloo]

3. It was drawn as a response to the EDL's efforts in the UK, but I find it is widely applicable

[BlueMTexpat]

4. So long as it is a voluntary choice by a Muslim woman

to wear a hijab, I fully support her. Many hijabs are quite flattering, in fact.

Full face coverings are something else altogether and, IMO, can present a security risk, whether voluntarily worn or not. It seems to me that there can be legitimate cause for concern related to full-face-coverings, although if a person has undergone a security check before being allowed entry into a public legislative gallery, then the legitimate security concern should have been addressed..

I remember pre-Vatican II days when it was required for Catholic women to wear scarves or other head coverings when entering a Catholic church. I was therefore somewhat surprised when I was requested to remove my hat (worn for sunshade) when visiting a Peruvian cathedral recently. When I asked about it, I was told that it was a mark of respect to take one's hat off. It's interesting how times seem to have changed.