How do you perceive Muslim Women?

Do you have a certain viewpoint of Muslim women? Is it a stereotypical image influenced by news scenes from poor Muslim countries devastated by wars? Or is it a “don’t know, don’t care” attitude? Or maybe you are someone who’s always wondered why on earth do these ladies cover their heads when it is so hot.

Muslim women in my community are very interesting; they represent a garden salad mix. Many people misjudge us as being oppressed by our husbands and fathers, and restricted to a dress code. On the contrary, Muslim women are unique with their outstanding line of fashionable apparel and accessories. They are as diverse as the flowers of a botanical garden. I’m not kidding! On one hand, you find women covered up in caftans, jilbabs, and traditional dresses, covering everything but face and hands. Another fashion line represents those who wear modern Western attire like trendy jeans or slacks and a loose fashion blouse. Many are flamboyant, outgoing, and plucky as they take fashion to extremes with their matching scarves. Then you have the simple women who dress modestly in a western style. But beware, not all Muslim women are covered! You can find a modest conservative Muslim woman who does not cover her hair, and then you are very likely to be bewildered by flashy, liberal women whom you won’t even recognize as Muslim.

On one of our community picnic gatherings last April, a group of women sat under a covered picnic area. I looked at the different faces, each glittering with joy and charm. One was popping jokes, the other one was peeling sunflower seeds, a third one was sipping coffee, but they all shared one common feature: their big, huge, sunglasses. These over-sized shapes have huge dark lenses and wide frames, usually with a brand name screaming at you: “look at me.” Well, the flow of conversation was smoothly sailing from one subject to another until someone said something that triggered my memory faculty.

“Oh…Were you ladies wearing these over-sized sunglasses when the troopers pulled you over?”

Here is the anecdote, and it doesn’t happen every day, so enjoy it. During spring break, a group of women decided they wanted to take the kidos on an escapade to Fossil Rim, a safari wildlife center. Mini vans, Suburbans, and Hummers loaded with half a dozen women and a dozen children took off on Interstate 20. Suddenly, the story goes, four police cruisers flashed their lights behind the caravan, commanding them to stop on the service road. Friendly patrol officers politely asked for proof of insurance and drivers licenses. Since all documents were legitimate, the troopers released the drivers. One outspoken woman wanted to know what that was all about.

“A driver saw you ladies and thought you were wearing masks and called us.” The officer apologized.

“What masks?”

“Uh, I think it’s the head scarf and big sunglasses combination.”

Moral of the story: Do you still think Muslim women’s rights are restricted? As far as I know, these ladies’ husbands don’t even dare to ask them where they’re going or when they’re coming back home. That adventure by the way ended at ten p.m. after a big fun day, I was told.