this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2026
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this is the only point I am trying to make, that it is not inherent to the religion to compel hijab, which undermines the entire position of westerners who think it is compulsory. pointing out that there are non religious people and non muslims living their lives without fear of retribution drives the reality home that most people are choosing to veil because they are religious and personally want to, and not because of some threat of violence. they see people being good Muslims and want to emulate that out of devotion, not coercion.
while I agree with the benefits of wearing hijab for those who choose to, and I also understand how the imperialist and colonial powers are driving an anti-western sentiment that contributes to many clinging to hijab as something that should be compulsory as a defense against imperialist cultural hegemony, the desire to make anything compulsory for anyone else seems inherently conservative. Conservationism is often a natural defensive reaction from some external conditions, and even if it is understandable reaction to the legitimate enemy of the world it doesn't make it something I would personally agree with as the desired end goal. in the end it needs to be a personal decision or else the intention in the heart is impure and it is not legitimate submission to the will of Allah swt but a deception born of coercion.
I think i am not communicating what I mean. What I am saying is that "mandatory hijab" for public facing people such as athletes representing their country or newscasters etc can be a good thing. A funny example is like look at the womens volleyball team. One might argue that this isnt even Islamically hijab anyways lol its a symbol nonetheless. Let me just post some images and quotes and you can see what I mean for the nuance.
I think there is some nuance here which is getting lost
Ahh ok I was talking about the idea that wsterners have of mandatory hijab enforced on citizens at large but it seems like you're specifically talking about the dress code requirements for state representatives ?
Yes I'm talking about the requirements that exist for state & media representatives and such wear hijab (even if its "bad hijab") in order to represent the country
The French ban is not analogous at all. Like a fabrication.