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At women-only salon in Brooklyn, Muslim-Americans prepare for Eid

At women-only salon in Brooklyn, Muslim-Americans prepare for Eid

"Here we feel comfortable. We're not paranoid of someone walking in," a patron at the salon said.
Updated 24 Jun, 2017

Nevien Shehadeh, 19, was one of many Muslim women who chose Le'Jemalik Salon and Boutique in New York's borough of Brooklyn on Friday to prepare for the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

The beauty salon, designed by owner Huda Quhshi to cater mostly to Muslim women, opened in January in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn.

"I actually only started wearing the hijab one year ago," said Shehadeh, an undergraduate studying math and economics at Fordham University in New York.

"I always wanted to, but I wasn't ready. It was actually during Ramadan last year, one week before Eid that I had this feeling to wear the hijab."

Shehadeh, a Palestinian-American, was with her two sisters, Shireen, 26, and Nisrien, 18, and aunt, Najah, 37. They reminisced about meeting Quhshi two years ago when the beauty entrepreneur was hired to do make-up at a family wedding.

Quhshi, 37, said that as a Yemeni-American whose cultural norms often barred women from the workplace, she did not think creating a space where conservative Muslim women could receive beauty services in a comfortable environment was possible.

Muslim woman Khoda Kheir, 30, receives a Halal eyebrow treatment at the Le'Jemalik Salon and Boutique ahead of the Eid in Brooklyn, New York. ─ Reuters
Muslim woman Khoda Kheir, 30, receives a Halal eyebrow treatment at the Le'Jemalik Salon and Boutique ahead of the Eid in Brooklyn, New York. ─ Reuters

Between Wednesday and Friday, Quhshi said she received 48 customers for Eid services.

"Most salons aren't all women," said Shehadeh, who plans to celebrate Eid on a Staten Island beach with her family on Sunday, marking the end of Islam's holy month of Ramadan. "Here we feel comfortable. We're not paranoid of someone walking in."

About 3.3 million Muslims live in the United States, according to Pew Research Center data, many of whom will celebrate Eid, one of the two most important festivals of the Islamic calendar.

"The beginning of Ramadan was really quiet. It was so slow. It was to the point that I thought of closing for Ramadan," Quhshi said.

"Then, all of a sudden, we got so many bookings that we have had to turn people away."

When women arrive at the salon, they are invited to sit on a circular, ivory couch studded with jewels. Salon doors lead to a private space where customers post-up for pampering in peach and white chairs.

A Muslim woman uses her phone while waiting for a family member to receive treatment at the Le'Jemalik Salon and Boutique in Brooklyn, New York. ─Reuters
A Muslim woman uses her phone while waiting for a family member to receive treatment at the Le'Jemalik Salon and Boutique in Brooklyn, New York. ─Reuters

Some get their hair cut and coloured. Others have their make-up done or hijab styled by Quhshi and her staff of six. A pedicure station operates as a henna haven.

Shehadeh admired her haircut and blow-out in the ornate mirror.

"We're here to get pampered for the holiday," Shehadeh said. "Even though we don't show our hair, it feels good to do it for yourself."

Comments

Rehna Fayaz Jun 24, 2017 08:40pm
Hehe a unique experience
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Rationalbabu Jun 24, 2017 08:55pm
"Even though we don't show our hair, it feels good to do it for yourself". There is something profoundly sad about that statement!
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Bupi Jun 24, 2017 10:13pm
All the best
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Zala Jun 24, 2017 10:38pm
You could do it for yourself. Awesome. Plus you can uncover your hair in front of your mehram.
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Farrukh Sharif Jun 24, 2017 11:46pm
Aslamoalikum Quhshi, how are you? I am Farrukh Sharif and I live in Orlando, FL. I am into health and wellness. I am very happy for a all women Salon. Congratulations and best wishes and prayers for your success. Eid Mubarak. Farrukh Sharif.
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HANK RAYMOND Jun 25, 2017 04:49am
Some progress.
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Syed ahmed Jun 26, 2017 11:38am
@Rationalbabu why? You do stuff to feel good yourself. You don't do stuff so others feel good no matter how uncomfortable it's for you.
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