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Hijab not a choice: Taslima Nasreen lauds Iranian women’s protest

September 19, 2022
Bharat Times

Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen lauded the Iranian women who are burning their hijab and cutting off their hair in protest against the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman. Speaking to India Today, Taslima Nasreen claimed that hijab is not actually a choice, adding that women across the world will draw courage from Iran protest.

Mahsa Amini died on Friday after falling into a coma following her arrest in Tehran earlier in the week. Media reports stated she suffered a heart attack after being detained by morality police, who found fault with her hijab (headscarf). Protests erupted across Iran following Maha Asmini’s death.

“I am so happy. It is a beautiful scene that they are burning their hijab and cutting their hair in protest. It is very important for the world, for all Muslim women, because we know hijab is a symbol of suppression, oppression, denigration, and humiliation of women,” Taslima Nasreen said on Monday.

She added, “Women across the world should also burn their hijab and protest against the hijab system.”

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When asked if the choice of wearing hijab should be left to women, Taslima Nasreen said,”People who want to wear hijab should have the right to do so. But, people who don’t want to should have the right to not wear hijab.”

Taslima Nasreen claimed that hijab is not a choice in most cases, adding that family pressure, fear, and upbringing play a role in shaping their mindset.

“Hijab is not actually a choice. Most women wear hijab because they are forced to wear hijab. Forced by their parents and their family members. Some women wear it because they are brainwashed to wear hijab,” Taslima Nasreen said.

The Bangladeshi author alleged that some women are afraid that if they don’t wear hijab, they will be beaten up, and they will be harassed.

“Religious fundamentalists will force women to wear burqa and hijab. Hijab is not a religious outfit anymore, it is a political hijab,” Taslima Nasreen said in an interview with India Today.

She praised the Iranian women for their courage in protesting against the symbol of oppression.

“Thousands of women don’t like wearing hijab and they will be encouraged by the Iranian women’s protest. I salute the courageous Iranian women,” Taslima Nasreen said.

ALSO READ | Hijab is a symbol of oppression: Taslima Nasreen

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