Muslim women on the choice to wear headscarf or not

Iman Alahmad, 39, from Damascus in Syria, has chosen not to wear the headscarf. Shrouq Alarini, 26, from Gaza in Palestine, has decided to wear it.

Kb Mosaic's reporter Sofyan Aswad asked the two women questions. It became a conversation about the pros and cons of the headscarf, why they think differently and how they view each other.

– I don't see the headscarf as oppressive. But I am a flexible person, I adapt to society. I have my culture with me. It is important to be able to keep certain parts of your culture. But I think the headscarf doesn´t suit me in Swedish society, said Iman Alahmad.

– As a Muslim, I think you should wear the headscarf. It's a question of interpretation for me. But there is no right or wrong. I respect those who don't wear the headscarf, said Shrouq Alarini.

During her teens, she began to reflect on life and her Islamic faith. She then decided to wear the headscarf.

– My parents didn't really want me to do it. But for me it is also a symbol of freedom. I can choose what I want for myself, and I want to wear the headscarf, she continued.

She said it never hindered her when she studied or travelled around the world. But it has been an obstacle when she was looking for a job.

– I applied for a job. I got many strange looks there, I wondered if it was my competency or my name that worried them. Then I realised that it was because of the headscarf. I withdrew my application. I want to be able to go to a workplace where I feel safe.

Iman Alahmad, Sofyan Aswad and Shrouq Alarini talked about the headscarf during Kb Snackbar at Kulturkvarteret.

– What are your thoughts on women who wear the headscarf here? Asked Sofyan Aswad.

– I can see behind the headscarf, it’s just another human being. They can be a doctor or have another profession. I see the person behind the headscarf, said Iman Alahmad.

Can you be a Muslim without the headscarf? Was the next question.

– Definitely. We are all human beings, everyone is equal regardless of which religion you follow, said Shrouq Alarini.

Is it parents, the culture, the situation or the religion that requires women to wear the headscarf?

– It's a mix of all these. I cannot say that everyone is forced to wear a headscarf, nor that everyone has the freedom to choose. But I think I'm beautiful without the headscarf, said Iman Alahmad.

She also said that there are advantages to wearing the headscarf: You don’t have to worry about fixing your hair if you’re late, it keeps you warm in the cold Swedish weather.

– There are also disadvantages, you have to think about it matching all of your clothes.

Shrouq Alarini saw more benefits:

– I don't get as many looks, especially from men. I don’t want to be looked at in a way that makes me feel insecure or singled out by men.