In Another's Shoes

As the old saying goes, don't judge a man 'til you walk a mile in his shoes. Neither should one judge a Muslim woman 'til you walk a mile in her hijab the modest, traditional covering worn by many as a symbol of Islamic consciousness.

• For a transcript of this video, please visit: http://ncsu.edu/_assets/flash/transcript/behind.pdf

To that end, Behind the Veil an eye-opening social experiment co-sponsored by the NC State Women's Center and the Muslim Students Association recently afforded non-Muslim women the opportunity to wear the covering and see what daily life is like for Sara Yasin and other Muslims on North Carolina State University's campus.

"Being a part of Behind the Veil and other programs helps encourage free discussion about controversial topics," said Yasin, a senior Textile and Apparel Management major who created the program in 2007 with the help of the NC State Women's Center. "As a Muslim woman, I'm honored that participants have chosen to step outside of their comfort zones for one day to experience what it is like behind the veil.

"As a Muslim woman, this event is significant because I think that it is part of my duty as someone who is an 'outsider,'" Yasin said. "I have learned that if I do not take the initiative to teach people more about who I am in an honest and open fashion, then I am doing a disservice to not only myself, but to the people around me."

The act of covering everything except one's face, hands, and feet is also known as "Hijab," and pertains to more than physical appearance - it encompasses what Muslim women term as "practicing modesty."

During their experience, Behind the Veil participants were encouraged to exhibit modesty in other ways encouraged in the Muslim faith, such as abstaining from pork, alcohol and public displays of affection, as well as covering all hair and skin while in the presence of men who are not closely related to each participant.

Yasin told Behind the Veil participants that she feels it's important for each woman to define modestly for herself. For example, she chooses to wear pants, although some scholars feel that Muslim women should not, and describes herself as being very outspoken. Some Muslim women may think that her outspokenness is inappropriate, she says, but Yasin feels she can be outspoken while remaining modest.

"Putting the veil on is the first step," she said. "Your behavior is the second."

Approximately 35 women took part in this year's event on Feb. 17, which concluded with a discussion featuring Duke University professor Miriam Cooke and a panel of Muslim women who wear, or choose not to wear, the veil.

"It is important for me to show that each experience as a Muslim is unique, and every person has their own picture of faith," said Yasin, who began wearing a veil when she was 15. "Through the program, we try to give an honest image of the veil through multiple experiences, and this year, a more academic component.

"With current events, improving understanding helps build bridges," she said, "and we fashion the program to encourage challenging questions and ideas rather than doing something which promotes the Muslim faith."

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[exploringprejudice]

love this.

[PersianPrincessJW]

we did this at my university last month at UMD college park! We had over 100 girls participate... including myself! :)

[tradercris]

@fatima130784 Well my understanding in the "tribal regions" away from British and American influenced Karachi women must bow to the Taliban's version of Islam: women must be completely covered, cannot be educated, cannot go inpublic without a male relative and can be beaten by "religious police" if they do. Dont get me wrong, I have much sympathy for those so oppressed, I must find fault with the Muslim community in America for not condemning this more than they do.

[fatima130784]

In many muslim countrys its up to you if to wear hijab or islamic clothes because it should be between you and God.... Yes there are few countrys were you have to wear islamic clothes as that is the law of the land.

Pakistan you can wear what you want.....alot Pakistan woma are quite western and its their choice....

[tradercris]

I'm not an Arabic speaker so I dont know the exact translation of "Islam", however many translate it as "submission"; but for the sake of argument let's say you are correct, it means submit to the monotheistic god, and not his representatives on earth.

Tell that to the women publically beaten by Islamic religious police in the KSA, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and now sadly in once tolerant Indonesia.

Imagine it. A woman beaten up in public because some creep thinks her burqa is too small!

[islamchoubachy]

@tradercris

Islam means "submission to God," not to any other creature of God.

Enough said to refute your argument...

[tradercris]

America has freedom of religion and also great personal freedom. Past immigrants of the Catholic faith from countries with strong patriarchal control over daughters eventually gave way to customs found here such as dress, chosing one's own husband and working outside the home etc.

Islam is Arabic for "submission" and to many immigrant Muslims this means women submit to decrees of Mullahs and male relatives. Hopefully a path of harmony can be found so Muslim daughters & families are happy.

[adamsara65]

way to go sara yasin am soooooooooooooo proud of you

[lunaticaution]

Sara!