In this op-ed for the Guardian, British journalist Remona Aly makes the point that hijab-wearing Muslim women are “becoming increasingly visible in the public domain” – whether it’s H&M’s new Muslim model, Mariah Idrissi, or Muslim contestant (and fan favorite), Nadiya Hussain, from “Great British Bake Off” (a popular cooking show in the UK).
“The move by H&M, GBBO and others normalizes the image of a woman in a hijab within areas that people wouldn’t normally associate with Muslim women. Hussain is not just a woman in a headscarf, she’s a darn good baker. Idrissi isn’t just another “hijabi”, she’s a woman who confidently blends faith with fashion. This reframes the debate, creating parameters which allow Muslim life and culture to be discussed in diverse, healthy and holistic ways, instead of our experiences being represented by negative, reductionist headlines,” eloquently states Ms. Aly in her compelling piece.
