In continuing the theme from the previous post, I shall talk about
Muslim behaviour in the context of how it is understood by Muslims and
non-Muslims. I shall take the hijab as a case study.
The theory of Symbolic Interactionism holds that “the definition of the
situation” is critical in social interactions. Two people can experience the same
environmental stimulus with two very different perceptions of the experience.
Thus, while the stimulus is the same, objectively speaking, on another level
the experience is subjective. Take the experience of seeing a woman with a
headscarf. Person A has a positive experience because she sees the headscarf as
the exercising of the right to dress how one wants. Person B has a negative
experience because she thinks the headscarf limits women’s freedom. Person C
has a neutral experience in the sense that she doesn’t think twice about the
image, neither forming a positive perception.
The common theme throughout the three experiences was the definition of
the situation each person held. I’m talking about this to stress the importance
of Muslims defining the situation. Muslims must define what their practices
mean to them. By disseminating clear definitions, individuals like Person B
might change their definitions of the situation.
Sad as it is, Muslims need to spell out what the hijab means to them.
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