For the purposes of our research, we will need a transcript of this interview to use later on. Are you comfortable with us recording this conversation?
Sure
In addition to presenting to class, we will be publishing our findings on a website and Facebook page. When we present your quotations do you give us approval to use your name?
If not, we will use a pseudonym.
Don’t use my name if about my family or anything that is personal
We would like to publish interviews with photos. Are you okay with having your photo published on our website and Facebook page? If so, is it okay if we take a photo today or would you prefer to send one to us?
Photo is okay depending on the quote
Name: Amani
Age: 20
Occupation: Undergraduate Students
Hometown: Houston, TX
1. Can you talk a bit about your relationship to Islam?
Grew up in a Muslim household, I would attend Sunday school for 4 hours at the local masjid/mosque. My parents are Muslims, but grew more conservative and religious as I grew up in high school and college, when I was growing less religious and more spiritual.
3. What are the biggest influencers of your decision to cover or [not cover]?
So, growing up I struggled about covering or not. Around middle school, I considered covering but I realized that I didn’t really desire to do so. I realized that covering doesn’t influence how I view my faith, so I should do it for myself and not for others. I can still be a Muslim, even without wearing a hijab.
4. Have you experienced discrimination based on your choice to cover or not? Could you describe
such discrimination?
I don’t think I’ve ever faced any discrimination based on it, since many people cannot even tell I’m Muslim.
5. Does seeing violent hate crimes against hijabi women have any impact on your decision? How do you adjust your choices based on witnessing hate crimes?
I think it further reinforced my decision not to wear hijab, because I do not want to be targeted and viewed negatively. I worry about how people, especially in Texas, will view Muslims and the negative comments they will experience. My mom, who doesn’t cover, was once told to go back to her country. Hence, if I covered, with recent hate crimes, I would worry about the harassment I would receive.
6. Is there anything that would make you change your decision to cover or not cover?
No, I don’t think anything would change unless I grew more religious.
7. How do you view other Muslim women who cover? How do you view Muslim women who don’t cover?
I view them equally, I view all Muslim as equal because I think everyone is open to interpret their faith differently. I don’t think covering has any effect on how I view Muslims, but there is a general stereotype that people who cover are more religious.
8. How do you feel when you hear people say that covering is a sign of oppression? What is your perspective of countries or mosques that do require a woman to cover?
I do not think covering is a sign of oppression, and I think many of these people are misinformed and do not have a great understanding of Islam. Covering should still be someone’s choice, especially in most modern countries like America. Covering doesn’t symbolize oppression, but certain countries oppress their women. These are two different things. I do not think countries or mosques should require their women to cover as it hinders the women from their independence and choice. I think this is based on culture and not the religion as many people interpret Islam as male-dominant, but these are the people who follow strict interpretations and do not take into account how culture has changed.
9. Do you feel the need to defend Islam when mainstream media attacks it? If so, how?
Yes, I feel the need to defend Islam by being an observant, yet relaxed Muslim. I wish the whole religion wouldn’t be tainted by the action of horrible individuals, but it is hard to do so. I try to defend Islam and show how the teachings don’t dictate aggressive and violent behavior. Islam is about peace and understanding, promoting kindness and support against peers. Many Muslims, however, interpret Islam through the lens of culture which results in negative, violent actions.
10. Many people suggest that Muslim and American identity are incompatible. What do you think of that?
I don’t think they are incompatible, I think people view these two identities as extremes but it is a spectrum. We all align differently on how we view these identities, but they are equally valid and compatible.
Sure
In addition to presenting to class, we will be publishing our findings on a website and Facebook page. When we present your quotations do you give us approval to use your name?
If not, we will use a pseudonym.
Don’t use my name if about my family or anything that is personal
We would like to publish interviews with photos. Are you okay with having your photo published on our website and Facebook page? If so, is it okay if we take a photo today or would you prefer to send one to us?
Photo is okay depending on the quote
Name: Amani
Age: 20
Occupation: Undergraduate Students
Hometown: Houston, TX
1. Can you talk a bit about your relationship to Islam?
Grew up in a Muslim household, I would attend Sunday school for 4 hours at the local masjid/mosque. My parents are Muslims, but grew more conservative and religious as I grew up in high school and college, when I was growing less religious and more spiritual.
3. What are the biggest influencers of your decision to cover or [not cover]?
So, growing up I struggled about covering or not. Around middle school, I considered covering but I realized that I didn’t really desire to do so. I realized that covering doesn’t influence how I view my faith, so I should do it for myself and not for others. I can still be a Muslim, even without wearing a hijab.
4. Have you experienced discrimination based on your choice to cover or not? Could you describe
such discrimination?
I don’t think I’ve ever faced any discrimination based on it, since many people cannot even tell I’m Muslim.
5. Does seeing violent hate crimes against hijabi women have any impact on your decision? How do you adjust your choices based on witnessing hate crimes?
I think it further reinforced my decision not to wear hijab, because I do not want to be targeted and viewed negatively. I worry about how people, especially in Texas, will view Muslims and the negative comments they will experience. My mom, who doesn’t cover, was once told to go back to her country. Hence, if I covered, with recent hate crimes, I would worry about the harassment I would receive.
6. Is there anything that would make you change your decision to cover or not cover?
No, I don’t think anything would change unless I grew more religious.
7. How do you view other Muslim women who cover? How do you view Muslim women who don’t cover?
I view them equally, I view all Muslim as equal because I think everyone is open to interpret their faith differently. I don’t think covering has any effect on how I view Muslims, but there is a general stereotype that people who cover are more religious.
8. How do you feel when you hear people say that covering is a sign of oppression? What is your perspective of countries or mosques that do require a woman to cover?
I do not think covering is a sign of oppression, and I think many of these people are misinformed and do not have a great understanding of Islam. Covering should still be someone’s choice, especially in most modern countries like America. Covering doesn’t symbolize oppression, but certain countries oppress their women. These are two different things. I do not think countries or mosques should require their women to cover as it hinders the women from their independence and choice. I think this is based on culture and not the religion as many people interpret Islam as male-dominant, but these are the people who follow strict interpretations and do not take into account how culture has changed.
9. Do you feel the need to defend Islam when mainstream media attacks it? If so, how?
Yes, I feel the need to defend Islam by being an observant, yet relaxed Muslim. I wish the whole religion wouldn’t be tainted by the action of horrible individuals, but it is hard to do so. I try to defend Islam and show how the teachings don’t dictate aggressive and violent behavior. Islam is about peace and understanding, promoting kindness and support against peers. Many Muslims, however, interpret Islam through the lens of culture which results in negative, violent actions.
10. Many people suggest that Muslim and American identity are incompatible. What do you think of that?
I don’t think they are incompatible, I think people view these two identities as extremes but it is a spectrum. We all align differently on how we view these identities, but they are equally valid and compatible.