Father’s Response to Remove Hijab Sparks Online

Pennsylvania, 22 Rajab 1438/19 April 2017 (MINA) – A Muslim father’s unwavering support for his teenage daughter if she chose to not wear a hijab has grabbed online attention, BBC reported.

Lamyaa, 17, in Pennsylvania, US tweeted a screengrab of a conversation with her father in Saudi Arabia who said he would support her “no matter what” after she told him she was considering removing her hijab.

This happened after a boy in a group chat told Lamyaa that her father would likely beat her were she to take off her headscarf.

Lamyaa told the BBC that she did not actually intend to take her scarf off: “It was never part of the plan. I just wanted to prove a point.”

While some supported her father’s reaction, others said they did not have the same choice to voluntarily remove the scarf.

Commenting on how it all started, Lamyaa said: “I had very strong views considering the impact the Trump presidency has on me because I am an Arab, Muslim woman. I brought up the fact that I was Muslim [in the group chat] and that guy didn’t feel comfortable so he said what he said.

“When I saw how sweet my dad’s response was I felt that this proved something; it proved that misconceptions are often made about people who end up being the exact opposite.”

Many messaged Lamyaa support following her post, and she added that some even said it changed their views on the hijab.

“Your dad is perfect and so are you,” Twitter user @LorraineE_C told her.

Twitter user @cassiiealvarado told Lamyaa not to take off her hijab, with @mochamomma adding: “I love this whole thing. There’s trust and mutual respect and, above all, love.”

But others were critical, with one Twitter user saying there were “countless” girls who wanted to take their veils off but did not have the choice to do so.

In response, Lamyaa tweeted: “A lot of people mistook this tweet as my saying no women are forced to wear hijab…that was not the point of the tweet.

“Yes, a lot of women are forced to wear the hijab. That’s horrible and I have been one to point that out numerous times.”

She continued to highlight her own choice: “I personally choose to wear the hijab, for myself and for God.”(T/RE1)/RS5)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)