The Naturale Yogi

Why the fuss about women wearing it? My personal take on the hijab is the same as my personal take on the bikini, but I would wear one and not the other. Okay I would never wear a bikini in public because why should I? I don’t want to that’s all it is and that’s all it should be. It’s the same with the hijab, they choose to wear the head scarf because it aligns with what they believe in and it’s what makes them comfortable. I don’t understand why people won’t allow them to wear what they want to wear?

I grew up Catholic in a predominantly Catholic country but my family is multicultural because my great grandparents were immigrants here and they practiced the religion of their homeland which is Buddhism and we live in a home where we had both Buddisht and Catholic altars. The only reason why my parents and my generation are Catholic was because the good schools were all run by Catholic organizations so they had to get baptized to study in these schools but we all practice both religions and we don’t really care too much about the differences because what’s good for everyone and what’s bad for everyone is the same across. I think it’s because of this unique experience that I don’t see other religions as in opposition to my beliefs. It’s also why I think I am not bothered by how people want to dress.

My Catholic school is in an area where there are also Mosques and at certain times of the day I could hear their prayers and it’s so normal to me. I would come home and study and do my homework and hear the prayers and continue whatever I was doing. I’ve also traveled to places where it’s normal for women to wear hijab.

I’m not saying that I wasn’t exposed to prejudice against Muslims because we also have terrorist groups in the Southern part of the Philippines but I am aware that not all American Christians follow the beliefs of the KKK and it’s the same for Muslims because a handful of radicals don’t reflect the entire religion.

It’s a free world and who are we to tell people what to wear or what not to wear.

Also a small fun fact for my Catholic brothers and sisters, you know the Blessed Virgin Mary that we pray for intercession whenever we pray the Hail Mary? She will always and forever be depicted wearing a hijab because she was a Middle Eastern woman of her time.

For women wearing the hijab, I respect you for owning your beliefs. Respect. It’s really that simple people, respect.