Hijab in profession

Published October 27, 2016

WELL, I am new to my self-chosen hijab world but I can feel the problems hijabi girls go through every day. These five months are enough to teach me that the corporate world is really offensive to hijabi girls.

Let me share with you some examples. One of my friends pursuing chartered accountancy was not selected in one of the big four firms just for covering her head and her face.

The other example is my personal experience when I was interviewed by a Pakistani who asked me, “Will you continue to cover your face if you were selected?” Was this a reasonable question to ask of a girl? Obviously not. To my surprise, my selection depends on keeping my face uncovered.

Another example that left me disheartened was when one of my friends, a chartered certified accountant, was being rejected by telecommunication companies, and the reason was her veil.

Asking a girl to unveil herself is not a condition for her successful professional career; it is a disrespect to her moral values.

Being a Muslim and living in Muslim countries like Pakistan, UAE, Turkey etc. while still complaining about veil and hijab is shocking.

I know of a few critics who argue that if a girl is hijabi and wishes to continue hijab according to Islamic teaching, she should also obey the purported Islamic teaching that earning is men’s responsibility not women’s. Although correct, this appears to be like asking a person to either offer prayer five times a day or not offer at all.

In the end I would quote Mother Teresa: “Do good, give the best you have and it may never be enough; give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it’s between you and God. It’s never between you and them anyway.”

Sidra Khan

Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn October 27th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...