Iranian journalist and author Masih Alinejad’s fight is far from won, but is on the right track. The activist, who is spearheading the campaign against the compulsory wearing of the hijab, talks to Nikita Sawant about why she stopped wearing a hijab, her brand of activism, and her memoir
This is the story of a woman who beat all odds for something she believed in. The thing Masih Alinejad believed in—not having to wear a hijab against your will—gave birth to a revolution of epic proportions. So much so that she has faced arrest; was exiled from her country; received death threats; and was confronted with an unending smear campaign. She started a social media movement when she posted a photo of herself without a veil on Facebook. Before she knew it, ‘My Stealthy Freedom’ came into existence, and she had garnered over a million supporters across the world and inspired Islamic women everywhere to fight for their basic human rights. Last year, Alinejad started White Wednesdays, where she called upon Iranian women to wear a white hijab on Wednesdays as a form of protest against the compulsory hijab. Over to the iconoclast:
You started wearing a hijab when you were seven. How many years did you wear it for?
I wore it until I left Iran, in 2009. That is from the age of seven until I was 36. Moreover, since my family was conservative, I had to wear it even when at home in front of my father. The sad thing is that even after moving to the UK, where there were no legal powers that could compel me to wear a hijab, I wore a hat to cover my hair every time I went outside. It took two years for my mind to completely break free.
What triggered your decision to stop wearing it?
I hated to be forced to wear the hijab even in Iran, and I’d indulge in stealthy moments of removing my hijab and enjoy the feeling of the wind caressing my hair. When I was living in exile in the UK due to my activism, I wore the hat as my own version of the hijab, because I was brainwashed to think that my virtue was bound to how well I was covered. I knew my moral virtue had nothing to do with the hijab, but it took me two years to be brave.
Bu hikaye Femina dergisinin March 09, 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Femina dergisinin March 09, 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Get Out Of Text Tension
Ravina M Sachdev shares insights on how fexting might be ruining your relationship and how it can backfire in the long run
Pick Your Patterns Of Love
Prachi Rijhwani teaches you a thing or two about how to embrace healthy dating practices
TAME THAT TEMPER
You've probably seen children sprawled out on the floor in department stores or during festive occasions. Ever pondered the reason behind their behaviour? It is called toddler aggression and here's how to handle it.
HOW YOUR PALS POWER YOUR LOVE
Prachi Rijhwani discusses the positive impact of healthy friendships on your love life
An ITALIAN AFFAIR
TOSCANO has just opened another outpost in Wakad, and Pune is all for it
MAKING IT BIG
Restaurateur DHAVAL UDESHI talks to Ravina M Sachdev about starting from scratch in hospitality and making it big
SUNDAY BRUNCHES WITH Avartana's Award-Winning Food
Enjoy a Sunday brunch with the meticulously-curated menus at concept restaurant AVARTANA at ITC Maratha, Mumbai.
Of Culture And Curry
EDDIE SCOTT, winner of MasterChef UK 2022, knew that he needed to expand the West's horizon of Indian food beyond the notion of butter chicken and curry. He tells Shraddha Kamdar how he has attempted to do it with his book Misarana
THE WAY OF THE WATER
Happy, luxurious, chic, good times are the only way to roll on a vacation. AMBIKA MUTTOO has found her new favourite spot in the Indian Ocean, and is letting you in on the secret
HOT RIGHT NOW
All things fresh and fun in the beauty space