Before reading this, I didn’t know much (really anything) about why Muslim women often wear headscarves. The piece provides a fascinating history of how this came to be normal… Did you know hijabs have been legally required in Iran since only 1979?
In any case, much respect to the Muslim Reform Movement for stating their case and taking on this front.
Challenging the hijab
To us, the “hijab” is a symbol of an interpretation of Islam we reject that believes that women are a sexual distraction to men, who are weak, and thus must not be tempted by the sight of our hair. We don’t buy it. This ideology promotes a social attitude that absolves men of sexually harassing women and puts the onus on the victim to protect herself by covering up.