“I Don’t Consider Myself a Hijabi” – Ascia Al Faraj, the Modest Fashion Blogger on Why She No Longer Calls Herself a Hijabi
by Amaliah Team in Culture & Lifestyle on 16th August, 2018
Please excuse me while I take a trip around the world preaching the word of THE ARAB VERSION OF HIJAB TO PERFECTLY GOOD MUSLIMS #Sarcasm
— Ascia (@ascia) May 22, 2016
Modest blogger original, Ascia Al Faraj one of the first turban style hijab trend setters, has opened up about the term used to describe Muslim women as ‘hijabi’ being something she doesn’t identify with anymore. The Turbanista and hybrid business entrepreneur posted a very open, honest, and frank Youtube soliloquy of her views on the hijab once turning 30, named, ‘This might disappoint you’. The designer mentioned how ‘unsafe’ women are made to feel when wearing hijab the ‘wrong way’ telling her 157k subscribers, everyone should have a safe space to be who they want to be and wear what they want to, wherever they may be on the spectrum of hijab. She mentions how her views have changed since first starting her modest fashion career when she would reference herself as a ‘hijabi’ online.
People have already voiced their very different opinions on the topic, some suggested that there should undeniably be safe spaces for Muslim women to wear what they wish to, and be able to choose where on the spectrum they lie without suffering with an onslaught of constant judgement and criticism for something so personal. Women should also have the right to change their views on a subject.
the blogger said, “I think when I first started blogging, yes I considered myself a hijabi, I considered myself in that space. I don’t consider myself a hijabi, because I don’t feel it is in line with the view point that I have now, whilst turning 30, it is not the viewpoint that I want to pass on to my children.”
It is also clear from the model’s social media, that she has faced criticism, for a long time, and expresses her frustrations with Muslims who believe there is only one way to wear hijab.
why don’t arab men just wear hijab instead if they’re that obsessed with telling women how to wear it properly
— ٧ōb (@wydson) August 15, 2018
A response from @Ascia_AKF worth reading. #amazing #hijab #islam #identity pic.twitter.com/wlwTDnHNFC
— Maha (@punjabanozil) January 8, 2014
reductionalism hijab is an edict, holding tongue another. Best to be humble and not have holier than thou attitude which is #fail
— Muna AbuSulayman منى (@abusulayman) July 24, 2016
My photos are never complete without a hijab debate underneath them.
— Ascia (@ascia) October 20, 2015
Hijab is different for Muslims. Some wear short clothing but scarves. Are we to march into their homes & tell them they're hellbound?
— Ascia (@ascia) May 22, 2016
i love this video @ascia was speaking from heart about hijab.. i can relate to most parts of ithttps://t.co/ZDzJUoN8lh
— مضى..يمضي..مضاوي (@mazwy) July 23, 2018
At least she has a modicum of integrity to admit the turbans is not hijab. And I agree that modesty is not on/off where either you wear hijab or you’re not modest
— أمة الله Jocelyn Roberts (@jroberts786) July 11, 2018
Them: lMoA iF yOu DoNt wEaR yOuR hIJaB ThE RiGhT ThEn TaKe oFf
Also them when you do: HIJAB IS NOT A GAME pic.twitter.com/cHkFk8kyDk— sarah (@gtfosrh) August 2, 2017
Careful, the hijab police are out to get us ???? pic.twitter.com/ZCv049ymL7
— إيمان العوض (@emanalawadh) August 2, 2017
A woman in niqab, in hijab, in abaya, in a bikini, in booty shorts, freeing that nipple: they're all the same to me. They rep themselves.
— Ascia (@ascia) July 24, 2016
I am a style blogger. Not a figure head for Islam. Not a representation of hijab. I dress for my own personal modesty comfort level.
— Ascia (@ascia) July 24, 2016
Please excuse me while I take a trip around the world preaching the word of THE ARAB VERSION OF HIJAB TO PERFECTLY GOOD MUSLIMS #Sarcasm
— Ascia (@ascia) May 22, 2016
However, others argued it is important to mention that many modest fashion influencers fail to acknowledge the importance of their reach, influence, and ultimately responsibility as a Muslim public figure. Especially when their rise to success and fame has occurred due to the support they have received from women who wear the hijab and identify with this side of the influencer.
the qur’an and sunnah according to the conditions of hijab is unanimous amongst all if not majority of scholars so there is no debate on that unless u personally decide not to follow it out of choice. i’m not hating i’m just highlighting an issue within “modest fashion” bloggers https://t.co/xKI3IkfmVM
— ⵣ (@norfagyal) April 3, 2018
U man complain and talk and talk for days that systems are set up to not let you prosper. U can take back the power uno? There are hundreds of thousands modest fashion bloggers.. if u all just came together… to uplift and support and make a statement of it… do u know how mad.
— näjwa al noor (@_poelitical) December 11, 2017
and y’all arab beauty influencers/ bloggers need to do better in calling out racism in the modest fashion industry https://t.co/xUkHbFltii
— rawan (@rawantaha_) December 11, 2017
These Modest Fashion Bloggers Are 'Not Kim Kardashian' & Proud of It: I can be a nerdy, smart g… https://t.co/JmFpqqnhkz #KimKardashian
— mickie james (@keshasmith6) November 2, 2015
Dressing up jeans with a @tibi bag & my #AsciaXHaaXThouqi trench ✨
A post shared by Ascia (@ascia) on
When your friend is the one behind the camera, magic can happen ????: @fashionbreed
A post shared by Ascia (@ascia) on
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Amaliah Team
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