The headscarf is not a gauge of devoutness

Emel Zeynelabidin comes from a strict Muslim, Turkish-Iraqi immigrant family. Born in Istanbul, she moved to Germany when she was still an infant. Her father was the founder of Milli Gorus, a Turkish Islamic community in Germany. The young Emel looked up to her father as a role model, not only in matters of faith, but also in terms of how to lead an Islamic life.

For 30 years, it was natural for Emel Zeynelabidin to wear a headscarf and thereby be visible as a Muslim woman, especially within her Muslim community. Then, one day, she asked herself "what does clothing have to do with faith and the will of God?" The start of the headscarf debate in Germany in 2004 also proved to be a catalyst for Zeynelabidin, prompting her to reflect on her self-image as a Muslim and on her headscarf. She began conducting research and critically questioning the meaning of what had up to then been an indisputable part of her apparel.

In one essay in her collection of articles, she explains, "The headscarf, which has become a symbol, is now a sign of obedience and submission." But is the headscarf truly a sign of obedience? Emel Zeynelabidin does not exclude the fact that, nowadays, some women may wear a headscarf to express tenacity, independence, and strength. In addition, "women define themselves by wearing a headscarf and feel that this differentiates them as belonging to a particular group."

Her proposal that men should also wear a sort of uniform apparel is as provocative as it is assertive. Perhaps, she suggests, they should all wear gloves; after all, men's hands can also be attractive and appealing. "Why then shouldn't men's hands also be covered? Don't women have erotic fantasies?" Zeynelabidin raises the issue of the man, for whom women in the twenty-first century must modestly and obediently cover themselves. Does he exist? What is he like? Can he barely control himself when he sees a woman without a headscarf in public?

Personal experience of setting aside the headscarf

The Muslim author was even more surprised by her own experience. She writes about her feeling of disappointment the first time she went out in public without a headscarf, freely displaying her hair. She soberly observed that no one perceived her any differently. There is no doubt, however, that she is now less conspicuous than she was when she wore a headscarf. She describes her own process of perception as a transformation from being a "visible Muslim into an indiscernibly observing, neutral woman."

She experienced considerable negative reactions as a result of this transformation, particularly from her immediate social environment, she reports. Many criticised her behaviour and even cast doubt on her faith as an upright Muslim. These critics, she says, are attempting to lead a life pleasing unto God in this life in order to attain a reward in the hereafter.

By contrast, as is evident from the title of her book, Emel Zeynelabidin, who is herself a convinced Muslim, argues for the exact opposite. She emphasises this life – the here and now – over the hereafter. She portrays the notion of a punishing God, which is popular with most Muslims, as a mere intimidation tactic. In addition, she stresses that since deciding not to wear a headscarf, she has grown and come to self-awareness, which has simultaneously led her to a knowledge of God.

In her new role as an "unobtrusive Muslim", she has grown to appreciate a "redefining of the distance relationship to men" and now criticises the "infantile dogmatism with which an item of clothing is justified through religion."

Zeynelabidin also speaks out clearly against a legislated ban on headscarves. This position is all the more remarkable in light of her own conviction that it is possible to be a good Muslim woman without wearing a headscarf. Despite this, she refrains from trying to convince other women to set aside the headscarf. Ultimately, she points out, it is impossible to decree self-reflection or freedom from above.

The headscarf and integration

Her courageous step towards her "release into independence," as she terms her personal experience of setting aside the headscarf, is the common thread running through her book.

Zeynelabidin also regards the issue of the headscarf as being closely linked to the issue of integration, as "integration begins with the readiness to learn about the world of others, and this clearly cannot take place if there is no interest in mutual understanding and one instead freely chooses marginalisation," says the author.  She makes no secret of her aversion to wearing a burqa. She is of the opinion that women who wear the burqa are prevented from engaging in any form of interpersonal communication.

Based on her own personal experiences, Emel Zeynelabidin has observed an increase in hostility towards Muslims since 9/11. She feels that criticism should in no way be directed at the religion, but at practicing Muslims. Young Muslims, in particular, find it "difficult to sidestep the prevailing concepts of God" in order to develop their own understanding of God, she says. For this reason, she pleads for more openness towards different Muslim lifestyles and tolerance towards those with different convictions.

Zeynelabidin allows her readers to enthusiastically follow her experiences. Her joy in narrating these events is clearly evident on every page of the book. At the same time, she never presumes to hold up her change of lifestyle as a standard for other Muslim women to aspire to.

There are certain redundancies in her collection of essays, but they in no way diminish the overall impact of her book. "You grow up only in this life", which is not yet available in English, is a worthwhile read that contributes to a better understanding of Muslim lifestyles and the attempt by many Muslim women to find a middle path between tradition and the modern world.

Annalena Junggeburth

© Qantara.de 2014

Translated from the German by John Bergeron

Editor: Aingeal Flanagan/Qantara.de