Women’s Right to Choose: Hijab

Macy’s announced its decision to sell hijab.  Hijab are just one product in the Verona line, which is intended to offer modest clothing with Muslim women as the primary target consumers.  The decision is not without controversy.  The usual haters have criticized the company for selling “Muslim” products.   But the decision reveals positive indicators of the acceptance of Muslim women as well as recognition that Muslim women are an increasingly significant percentage of Macy’s business market.  Nike had already announced its intention to release a “Pro Hijab” for women athletes.

Macy’s announcement reminds us that there is no political correctness in whether a woman decides to wear hijab.  Many women choose to wear hijab representing a deeper connection to faith,  Others decry wearing hijab because of symbolism of controlling women through prescribed clothing.  In Iran last week,  29 women were arrested for removing their hijab as part of a protest against mandatory wearing of hijab.

While debate and controversy continues, women acknowledge that this is a matter of choice.  Women’s autonomy is the issue that connects various sides of the hijab debate.