Introduction
The high level of globalization is one of the main features of the modern world. The disappearance of borders, along with new means of transport and the simplification of travel, opened numerous opportunities for people to move from one area to another. Moreover, immigration for various reasons, including military conflicts or attempts to find better living conditions, led to significant population movements. It fostered cultural exchange and disrupted the traditional homogeneity of cultural landscapes across countries.
For instance, the United Kingdom has long been characterized by a diverse population due to its colonial and imperial past. However, nowadays, unlike in past eras, there are attempts to accept cultural diversity and view it as an essential part of social development. It also means increased attention to the most important cultural aspects and artifacts. For instance, the hijab is a central element of Muslim customs. Regardless of the focus on diversity, attitudes towards the predominant remain complex in British society.
Background
Several factors can explain the increased attention devoted to the issue of hijab-wearing. First of all, currently, the United Kingdom has a significant number of citizens who consider themselves Muslims. According to recent statistics, around 6.5% of the population represented this cohort. It comprised around 3.9 million in 2021, and there is a tendency for further increases in this number (Mohdin, 2022).
These might be linked to ongoing immigration from the Middle East and, at the same time, to the emergence of a new population of Muslims born in the UK (Mohdin, 2022). It means the number of representatives of a culture different from the majority of the population continues to grow. As a result, the likelihood of meeting people wearing hijab increases, which boosts the topicality of the issue and the debate over it.
Furthermore, the topic’s significance stems from the unique role hijab plays in Muslim culture. This artifact appeared in ancient times and has survived till the present day almost unchanged. In simple terms, it is the headscarf worn by Muslim women (Piela, 2022). However, its cultural meanings include protection from lustful eyes and lustful desires of the outside world (Alam, 2022). Islam strictly differentiates between male and female roles, as well as the manners of behavior and clothes they are allowed to wear.
According to these beliefs, only a woman’s husband and other women can see her without a hijab (Alam, 2022). It is also associated with modesty in clothing and behavior, purity of body and thoughts, and adherence to traditions (Piela, 2022). Thus, because of the growing number of Muslims in the UK, the hijab has become more often visible in metropolises (Piela, 2022). However, as its spread increases, the number of debates over it grows as well.
Diversity in Opinions
The problematic nature of the topic for British society stems from the diversity of opinions surrounding it. The problem is that the given cultural artifact is often politicized, used either as a symbol of oppression or, conversely, of freedom and choice. For this reason, there is no common perspective on hijab or what it represents.
The only fact accepted by all British people is that the hijab is a sign of Muslim culture and indicates a person who belongs to this group (Myfanwy, 2000). However, the perspectives on why women choose to continue wearing it, far from the Islamic states, differ, which also gives rise to disputes and discussions of the topic. Furthermore, the lack of understanding of Muslim women’s motifs also leads to misunderstandings and wrong representations that might become part of the public opinion and lead to an increase in Islamophobia.
Discrimination
Although there are no direct and explicit forms of Islamophobia because of the formal adherence to the ideas of tolerance, the hijab might lead to conflicts based on cultural factors. For instance, the research shows that young Turks in Britain might face this social stigma, which is especially challenging for their women. Women from this cohort are the target of everyday Islamophobia more than their men because of the visible proof of their nationality and religious beliefs (Babacan, 2023).
In this situation, hijab becomes a trigger that reveals tensions existing within society and biased attitudes toward people of different religions (Babacan, 2023). Many women experience Islamophobia at the intersection of gender, religion, and social contexts, which makes it more difficult to detect (Babacan, 2023). For this reason, regardless of the focus on inclusion and diversity, hijab in British society might promote exclusion and the feeling of otherness.
The negative attitudes to wearing hijab can also be explained by the existence of the idea that it represents oppression, discrimination, and deprives women of the chance to protect their rights. For most British people who grew up in a completely different culture, the need to cover their faces might seem strange and unfair. Furthermore, there has been a long history of opposition and conflicts between Western feminists and this veil (Myfanwy, 2000).
For women’s rights activists and females who had never faced the cultural norms existing in Muslim cultures, the need to hide from other people and use a barrier might seem a symbol of the inferior position of a person and complete rightlessness (Myfanwy, 2000). For this reason, in many situations, women who wear hijab face a lack of understanding (Myfanwy, 2000). The appeals to forcibly remove this veil and disregard existing religious and cultural norms also negatively impact individuals (Myfanwy, 2000). As a result, females wearing hijab in Britain might feel uncomfortable and suffer from excessive attention to them, and attempts to find political underpinnings in their everyday choices.
Muslim Women’s View
Another view on hijab and its wearing is reflected by the Muslim women residing in Britain. They admit that using this traditional element of clothing is their own choice, which helps them feel more connected to their religion and ancient traditions, especially given their current place of living (Khan, 2023). Being surrounded by mainly Christian communities, females feel the need to emphasize their belonging to another culture and are proud of it (Khan, 2023). From this perspective, the hijab performs two important functions.
First, it demonstrates the multiculturalism peculiar to British society at the moment (Piela, 2022). Meeting women wearing veils in the streets has become more common in recent years, reflecting the growing tolerance for this form of clothing (Muzamillah, 2021). Second, another important function of the hijab is to demonstrate respect for roots and traditions, which is important to the Muslim population (Khan, 2023). They also feel stylish and challenge stereotypes about their origin or traditions (Khan, 2023). For this reason, detached from the political issues and attempts to assign it additional meanings, the hijab remains a choice of numerous Muslim women who find it comfortable and significant to them.
Furthermore, there is another perspective on the problem, which Muslims often outline. A study conducted among 587 British Muslim women revealed that hijab helped them to hold a more positive body image and appreciation, and weaker responses to messages about beauty standards translated by the modern media (Muzamillah, 2021). Moreover, they devote less attention to appearance and external signs of beauty, which are usually linked to current fashion and societal trends (Muzamillah, 2021).
Additionally, they feel more confident and experience less pressure from double standards existing within the communities where they live (Muzamillah, 2021). It means that for Muslims living in the United Kingdom, wearing the hijab might be their own choice, which is made under the impact of numerous benefits associated with observing this cultural norm. It is considered a protective factor, helping females to avoid unnecessary attention and focus on spiritual elements.
British Media
Nevertheless, regardless of the positive aspects associated with wearing the hijab outlined by Muslim women, the British media remains mainly hostile toward it. The analysis of newspapers and magazines from 2016 to 2017 shows that the authors used manipulative language to build societal and political hegemony and shape public opinion (Rashed and Garcia, 2020). It aligns with appeals to ban the wearing of veils and headscarves, a widespread tendency in Europe at the moment (Rashed and Garcia, 2020).
The given view is supported by the existing media landscape, which makes the hijab a symbol of terrorism and violence (Rashed and Garcia, 2020). The ideas of oppression and enslavement that were popular before the terrorist attacks of 9/11 were replaced by new ones, emphasizing the threat and risks associated with people who chose to wear this piece of clothing (Rashed and Garcia, 2020). As a result, the current British media serves as one of the tools cultivating negative attitudes towards hijab and triggering vigorous debates within society.
Conclusion
In this way, British society remains divided on the discussed theme. The number of Muslims continues to grow, which means that the chance of meeting women who hide their faces increases. At the same time, it is difficult to predict a reaction to this important cultural artifact. Radical feminism and some political parties might view it as a symbol of oppression, which might lead to attempts to initiate debates about the liberation and protection of women’s rights.
Furthermore, it might be viewed as an item triggering discriminative attitudes and biased judgments. British people might consider it a symbol of terrorism and violence, or have highly negative attitudes toward females who choose to wear it. The media plays a significant role in supporting these stereotyped views and fostering negative feelings. There is also a clear vision that society is not homogeneous and is divided. Although the ideas of tolerance are essential for British people, it is still difficult for them to accept the fact that Muslim women find the veil beneficial and might feel better and protected.
Reference List
Alam, A. (2022) ‘The meaning behind hijab, and what it signifies for Muslim girls,‘ The Clark Chronicle.
Babacan, M. (2023) ”Were you treated differently because you wore the hijab?‘: everyday Islamophobia, racialization and young Turks in Britain,’ Ethnicities, 23(1), pp. 64-87.
Khan, R. (2023) ‘I proudly wear a hijab. Forget the stereotypes – it’s a sign of style and strength,’ The Guardian.
Mohdin, A. (2022) ‘Census says 39% of Muslims live in most deprived areas of England and Wales,’ The Guardian.
Muzamillah, J. (2021) ‘An evidence-base for hijab,’ CMAJ, 193(44), pp. 1969-1701.
Myfanwy, M. (2000) ‘Crossing the borders of whiteness? White Muslim women who wear the hijab in Britain today,’ Ethnic and Racial Studies, 23(5), pp. 917.
Piela, A. (2022) ‘Muslim women and the politics of the headscarf,’ JSTOR Daily.
Rashed, S., and Garcia, M. (2020) ‘Politics of hijab in British media,’ Journal of Gender and Social Issues, 19(2), pp. 69-88.