Boris Johnson recently sparked controversy when he called the burqa (a long loose garment covering the whole body worn by many Muslim women internationally) “ridiculous” and compared women who wear them to “letterboxes” and “bank robbers” saying humans “must be able to see each other’s faces.” It has led to further debates on whether women who wear Burqas are oppressed.
But what’s the truth behind the headlines? And what’s it really like for the woman wearing the Burqa? GLAMOUR’s columnist Hani Sidow talks exclusively to Qatar born 28-year-old Khansa Abdul Jaleel, a Computer Engineer, digital marketing consultant and lifestyle blogger (@creativitywithkay) about life under the veil.
As an ambitious and educated woman who has made the personal decision to wear a burqa, I was deeply disappointed by Boris Johnson’s recent comments and the comparisons he made to women like me looking like “a letterbox” because I choose to cover my face. I hope to be able to clear up people’s understanding because there’s far more to it than how Boris sees things.
A lot of the time, people assume women are forced to wear a burqa, but the decision to dress as I do was entirely my own choice. Growing up, my father was very open with the options available to me, giving me the freedom to make my own mind up.
I receive a lot of questions regarding wearing the burqa and my life behind the veil, so here I answer some of the most-asked ones...
What age did you start wearing the burqa?
I first started wearing the burqa 10 years ago, and living in Qatar meant I was no stranger to it as it’s popular there. It was reassuring knowing a large percentage of women chose to wear one so I wouldn't stand out.
I first began wearing a regular headscarf (the hijab) when I was six years-old and when I was 15, incorporated the abaya (the dress). However, it was only at 18 that I began covering my face. As a young Muslim, many parents advise you to cover your hair with the hijab when you hit puberty. It’s not compulsory to wear the burqa but I choose to cover my face for reasons of modesty - covering my whole body is the highest possible level of modesty.
Are you allowed to show your face to your future husband before marriage?
There are a lot of misconceptions about not meeting your husband before your wedding day. While this may have happened in the past, nowadays, there are usually a few sessions set-up to meet each other and talk before a marriage takes place. As well as my husband, my father and my uncles are all allowed to see me without my burqa, as well as all women.
How do you express your femininity when your appearance is covered?
It’s easy to assume because I wear a burqa I don’t love fashion but that’s definitely not the case! I adore statement bags and shoes. As people see so little of you, you do need to go a little out of the box to show your creativity. I also love perfumes - something subtle and soft. But I am definitely more of an accessories girl.
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Branded label burqas are very common. A lot of designers manufacture the abaya and the burqa, and there’s also the option to get them custom made.
Do you wear makeup under your burqa?
Not normally. I am not a huge makeup fan, but if there is a girls’ gathering or an event, I do tend to wear a little bit. There are people who wear full-face makeup underneath their burqa – again, makeup is as much as personal choice for us as it is for women who don’t cover their faces.
Are people respectful to you when you wear a burqa? Do they help you?
While travelling abroad to Europe or India, I have met some really kind people who are respectful and often curious about why I am covering. Some just want to take pictures with me, often because they’ve never seen anyone covered like me before.
Have you ever faced abuse for wearing a burqa?
Unfortunately, I have met with some disrespect, though I wouldn’t call it abuse. I've never experienced anything violent or scary, but there was a time I was told I couldn’t enter a mall in India because my face was covered so I just made the choice not to go to the mall.
What's the weirdest comment you have received about wearing a burqa?
People have said some pretty weird things like “but oh you’re so pretty”. I didn’t think people would think I cover my face because I don’t think I’m pretty. Being pretty has nothing to do with covering my face. It comes from submission to God rather than because I'm hiding something.
Do you think people misunderstand you because they can’t see your facial expressions?
No, I’ve not had any issues where people have misunderstood me, only where they are quick to assume I'm ignorant, stupid or uneducated. Once I start talking to people, they're often surprised by my intellectual level. Some can be too scared to communicate with me because they don’t think I'm friendly, but I blame the negative image that has been portrayed in the media over the years. I try to be friendly and caring because that’s who I am and that’s the message Islam stands for; peace.
What would you say are the positives to wearing a burqa?
For starters, my skin doesn’t get direct sun exposure, so I'm often told I look a lot younger than my age. Also, it’s liberating. I’ve always felt so much freedom wearing it because it’s easy and comfortable. People don’t know whether you have any skin problems or what size you are. That's probably the biggest advantage because body shaming is a big thing.
How do you eat with a burqa in a restaurant?
I have a lifestyle blog that often means I am reviewing restaurants. I wear a face veil that I can lift so I can eat my food. It’s a skill I’ve had to master. Whenever I get a chance, we go to restaurants with a little more privacy because I can lift my face veil completely and eat more comfortably.
What would you say to someone who believes you might be oppressed or don’t have a choice when it comes to wearing a burqa?
I am not oppressed, I am accomplished. Before putting women who wear a burqa down, I'd ask you to try to understand why we do it. None of my accomplishments would have happened if I were oppressed because I'd be unhappy and I'm not. As a society, there needs to be a better education of our culture so we can understand a little more about each other. It is never nice to label someone based on their own personal choices.
