Why Wearing a Hijab Should Be No One’s Decision But My Own

Why is it that something as personal as a piece of fabric sparks global debates, legal battles, and social judgment? The hijab, for many Muslim women, is an intimate reflection of faith, identity, and autonomy. Yet, it’s treated as a political statement or a symbol for others to dissect and debate. And now, with the recent European Union court ruling that permits employers to ban the hijab in workplaces, it feels like another layer of control over something that should never be anyone’s decision but our own.

Dig deeper: Experts Urge France to Lift ‘Discriminatory’ Hijab Ban in Sports

Let’s face it: the world seems to struggle with letting Muslim women simply exist. A friend once asked me, “Have you ever thought about taking it off?” She wasn’t talking about the quiet moment at home when we unwind and remove our hijabs; she was asking about the deeper, often painful contemplation that many of us wrestle with—whether the hijab is worth the scrutiny, judgment, and barriers it brings. It’s a question loaded with societal expectations and personal battles, one that reflects a much larger issue: why does society feel entitled to police how Muslim women present themselves?

The hijab, meaning “cover” in Arabic, embodies modesty, spirituality, and personal autonomy. It’s a symbol of empowerment for countless Muslim women. Yet, instead of celebrating this, society often weaponizes it, turning it into a target for prejudice and misunderstanding. We’ve become walking billboards for people’s biases—labeled oppressed by some, extremists by others, and scrutinized under a magnifying glass of societal expectations.

And now, the European Court of Justice ruling has added another layer of complexity. It’s not just a legal decision—it’s a statement that tells hijabi women their faith is negotiable if it conflicts with the comfort of others. Couple this with the rising tide of Islamophobia, political instability, and outright violence against Muslim women, and it’s no surprise that some have chosen to remove their hijabs. Their assertion—“It doesn’t make me less Muslim”—is a powerful reminder that faith is far deeper than appearances, yet it also speaks to a society that fails to let Muslim women simply be who they are.

For many, the journey with the hijab begins with inspiration—emulating a mother or grandmother, discovering a connection to faith, or making a conscious decision about modesty. Over time, it becomes a personal statement of who we are. But that choice isn’t always easy. Wearing the hijab often means shouldering the weight of being a visible representative of an entire faith, dealing with constant judgment, and battling the stereotypes others impose on us.

Yes, we’ve seen progress. Brands like Nike and H&M feature hijabis in their ad campaigns, and mainstream media occasionally celebrates hijabi women. But representation in glossy advertisements doesn’t erase the reality many of us face: the anxiety of being told our hijab isn’t welcome in workplaces, classrooms, or even public spaces. The fear of being attacked or misunderstood because of a simple personal choice is still very real.

And here’s the truth: whether to wear the hijab or not should always be our choice. It’s deeply personal—born out of faith, conviction, and identity. No court ruling, societal expectation, or prejudice should dictate that decision.

What we need is a world where Muslim women’s choices are respected, not questioned. A world where a woman can walk into her workplace with her hijab, not fearing judgment or rejection. A world where her decision to wear—or not wear—the hijab is met with understanding, not interference. Because at the end of the day, the hijab is not just a piece of cloth—it’s a testament to a woman’s right to define herself on her terms. And that right should be inviolable.