Growing up in Australia, did you experience any
themselves and inquire about Islam and Hijab. They
prejudice due to your race or religion?
would rather be fed information than seek it
themselves.
Yes, many times. I experienced the majority of the
racism in the first two years of high school, because
that’s when I decided to keep the Hijab on for good.
It was one boy in particular. However, the racism has
subsided over time, though it occurs once in a while
– which is disappointing considering we live in a
multicultural society. You’d think people would
understand and at the bare minimum tolerate one
another. It’s sad.
What were the reasons behind your decision to
wear the hijab when you started high school, and
what effect did it have in your life?
It’s my duty as a Muslim woman to wear the Hijab
and dress modestly. It changed me externally and
internally. My behaviour and outlook on life
changed in general. I became firmer in my beliefs,
yet found myself being more understanding and
compassionate with people. I think this happened
because I became not only more religious but more
spiritual as well. My religion taught me the value of
You went on to undertake studies in media and
human interaction and wearing the hijab brings about
journalism at university. What are some of the
what is termed, ‘social hijab,’ which means there is a
issues you think need to be addressed in regard to
certain modest and conservative way a Muslim
how people of Middle Eastern heritage are
woman and man must behave. It made me not only a
portrayed in the mainstream media?
better Muslim, I hope, but also a good human being.
There are of course the negative sides which
Where do I start? I could write a whole PhD on this
are mainly external like racism and stereotyping. It
topic! The bleeding obvious is the representation of
used to affect me growing up – however, I learned to
Middle Eastern people as the ‘other.’ As if we are
ignore those voices. Although I stand up for myself,
this exotic thing that doesn’t belong in the Australian
some people are too ignorant to actually educate
social fabric. This is a farce. The mainstream media