Muslim Women in America Essay Example

Muslim’s have always been faced with struggles in their lives, especially when entering into the United States. They are a popular minority group in America that is strongly discriminated against. They face every day struggles that make their lives that much more difficult. Muslim women in particular is what I am going to be discussing in my research paper. Women in general, are still being discriminated against in the world today, but being a Muslim women in America, has unthinkable consequences and daily hardships that many of us American’s could not begin to understand. Along with the everyday stereotypes they face because they are Muslim, they also face, ignorance about Islam, gender-based discrimination, violence, fear, and discrimination about their clothing (head covering).
THE HIJAB Muslim women obviously dress very different than other Americans and their dress apparel stands out. This is one of the biggest issues and challenges that Muslim women in American face. They are taunted, and harassed every day because of the head-coverings that they wear, which is known as the “hijab”. Hijab, is Arabic for “cover”, which is extended to mean modesty and privacy. Hijab is actually a practice, but when women are practicing Hijab, is when they wear the scarf they wear. It usually covers the head, neck, and majority of the face in some situations, leaving the eyes open. Muslim women follow the rules of the Hijab, to show their submission to and love for God. However, this is all usually very misinterpreted. Women are looked down upon when they are wearing their head-coverings. Muslim women who wear head scarves are more likely than those who don’t to say they face discrimination and a hostile environment. Sixty-nine percent of women who wear hijab reported at least one incident of discrimination compared to 29% of women who did not wear the hijab. Muslim women have been prohibited from wearing their head-coverings in a number of contexts. These women have been