ArtView October 2013 | Page 23

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