sempozyum_bildiri_kitabi

EXPERIENCES OF MUSLIM AMERICAN WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE
Fatima KOURA *
Physical appearance is a fundamental element of social interaction. The clothes one wears can
acknowledge part of an individual’s identity. As part of their everyday attire, some Muslim women
put on a Muslim veil also known as hijab. The accepted notion is that wearing hijab functions to
restrict women. However, Muslim women describe the hijab as a symbol of their individuality.
These conflicting viewpoints are a part of a large discourse focusing on Muslim women. While the
hijab identifies one as a Muslim, the experiences of each woman are unique. Muslim women’s
experiences are not monolithic. For instance, location is a fundamental factor. Muslim women
residing in the United States of America have a different relationship with the than women living in a
country where hijab is widely observed. In light of this I will focus my research on muhajibhs, veiled
women, in the West. I interviewed twenty‐one women who live and work in the New Jersey/ New
York area. Their ages ranged from 20 to 60. Nineteen of the interviewees are muhajibhs and two of
the interviewees had in the past worn the hijab. In addition, the interviews included both nativeborn
women and immigrants. The interviewees’ occupations vary from professional jobs such as
psychologist to clerking in a retail stores. In my analysis, I use pseudonyms for the purpose of
confidentiality.
Looking closely at work experience, I will analyze the role that hijab plays in the interviewees’
lives. I will illustrate examples of how the interviewees deal with challenges in wearing hijab in the
workplace and more importantly I will explore ways in which the interviewees confront intersecting
forms of discrimination.
The hijab has been an issue of debate. In this paper, I will demonstrate the ways in which wearing
hijab in the workplace has become a symbol of self‐empowerment for Muslim women; I will indicate
perspectives about the representations of the hijab. Using different approaches to the veiling in
America, I will reveal how the hijab can represent an image of autonomy. In order to explore this, I
will focus on three areas of scholarship: Muslim American women in the workplace, the on hijab and
identity, and feminist theory focusing on agency.
It is first important to outline that religious freedom is part of the American system. The First
Amendment of the Constitution protects religious expression in public. The amendment states,
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble.” 1 The First Amendment is important because it not only allows for religious freedom, but
it provides individuals the right to petition the government if they suspect any unfairness. Since this
amendment allows for religious symbols to be part of the public, institutions such as the workplace
allows religious freedom to be exercised. However, I will address issues dealing with the realities of
religion in the workplace. Title VII the Civil Rights Act of 1964 declares that, it “prohibits employment
discrimination.... on the basis of you race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.” 2 It is clear from a
legal perspective that it unlawful to deny a person employment based on religion, which has been
beneficial for muhajibh Muslim women. However, social interactions are different and this is why it
is important to look at examples provided by the interviews.
The hijab, within Western context has been portrayed from a negative perspective. In the text
Muslim Women in America, which closely focuses at the different perspectives that hijab has
received in America claim,
*
New Jersey, USA