Still from Hijabi.

 

New video by Syrian-American Mona Haydar, in which she reprimands those who critique and exoticize the hijab. Surrounded by hijabis of various backgrounds, she provides a powerful visual and aural rebuttal to those who simplify the hijab and its meanings.

Of course, the video received criticism from many people, as can be noted in the video’s comments. Some accused it of being haram, and others even condemned Haydar’s rubbing of her pregnant belly. This leaves me wondering when will we stop recycling such time-worn critiques and constructively analyse the issues that Haydar is responding to in her video…