It can get chilly at night at the beginning of a Philadelphia spring. So once my winter clothes are packed, I find myself relying extensively on layers. Last night, I threw on a scarf to keep warm while walking my dog. I was a little surprised that two men said salam to me while I was out. One also said be safe after I returned his greeting.
Walking around late at night in West Philadelphia is a strange time to feel community connectedness, but their greetings really evoked that feeling. Because I am not muhajibba, this was a little bit of a pleasant surprise.
I'm very interested to know if other women have had similar experiences wearing hijab.
There are so many positive things we could talk about in terms of wearing hijab. I was leaving the mosque and had to cross a busy intersection, not easy running across a street when you are wearing jilbab. At any rate almost always if a middle eastern man is driving by he either stops traffice to get me across safetly or if hes driving he stops his car and signals for me to cross. ME men get a bad rap from media, and from women. I have seen some negative things in ME men, but I am impressed with the level of love, and care that I see in them.
Muslim cab drivers though can tailgate and make improper lane changes without properly signaling. In the Middle East, driving etiquette is well not the best in the world. People driving in the slow lane go 95 mph. In Iran, people don't use crosswalks in Tehran, you simply walk through congested traffic hoping the vehicles will yield the right of way. I was driving to the airport, and this hijabi slammed on her breaks, walked out of her car, and confronted the Somali cab driver with a kufi. She was pissed, and Muslim or not, road rage got the better of her.
LOL I am not saying anyone is perfect because they are muslim, I am saying that I am surprised and pleasantly so when a ME man does something that goes against type, and the media bias. Especially when it comes to muslim women. I guess whatever happens in Iran should stay in Iran............ :-)
Lailah and Gustavo,
Thanks so much for reading and sending me comments!!
I am continuing to explore issues of modesty and dress in my life, although this may halt abruptly once the summer strikes in Philadelphia. Basically, I have been covering my hair when going out (to walk my dog Kelly or shop) at night. I am becoming more concious of muhajjiba women around me too. I hope to sit down and talk to them about it.
However, it is very unlikely that I will ever become muhajjiba because I am not comfortable wearing it in my academic life or while excercising or certain social situations. I just feel that full-time wearing is a major responsibility.
Thanks again!
--Nooreen
**may peace reach us all**
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