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August 1, 2011 | 1:41 am

Hijab shampoo? What next!

Posted by Mahim Maher

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I've smudged out the actual name of the company from this advert

A new product has hit the Pakistani market – Hijab shampoo. It’s meant for women who cover their heads tightly in hijab that leaves their faces exposed. The hijab is not like, say the Afghan shuttlecock burqa, which covers a woman from head to toe.

I think this product is brilliant because it caters to a large part of the urban (only urban) population in Pakistan. In the last ten years or so I’ve seen more and more women adopt the headgear, burqa and abaya, which are used in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, Saudi Arabia. The abaya is more of a full-length, mostly black coat-like ensemble. In some countries women wear the niqab as well, which sections off the face from the eyes down.

The people who are marketing the new hijab shampoo are capitalizing on what say that is the excess production of oils, build-up of scalp dirt etc.

All my life I’ve seen Muslim women – whether in London, Montreal or Pakistan – labour under these garments. And I’ve often wondered how the hell they manage to pull it off, especially in the Pakistani heat.

I myself do not even wear a dupatta, the long scarf that you’re supposed to cross like a V over your chest in an attempt to distract menfolk from your rack. I find the swathes of cloth distracting when I’m busy in the newsroom. I try, instead to wear clothes that keep me covered in all the right places. Gone are my days of mini-shirt glory in Montreal winters.

I would like to think that I am tolerant enough to not comment on women who make the choice of covering up a certain way. Indeed, in Karachi, especially if you are coming from certain neighbourhoods, taking public transport or taxis, you need to adhere to this code for simple protection (even if it is not your religious belief). Wearing a full-length black abaya sends a message across to men on the street.

But I feel conflicted about the women who may be forced to make this choice by their families. I feel sad when I see little girls, who have not hit puberty, wearing the hijab. They’re barely high as your knee and yet they’re being trained to cover up. I wonder about the invisible interpellation, the enforcement of social codes that are unspoken but become entrenched.

But more so, a gynaecologist recently told me that a lot of these women who were coming to her clinic for obgyn consults were turning out to be massively deficient in Vitamin D. These hijabis, she said, aren’t getting enough sunlight. They are covered up the entire time they go out and when they aren’t covered they are indoors where they don’t get sun. This leads to migraines, bone trouble, and aches and pains that they keep popping pills for.

Interestingly, the boys in Karachi say that it is the girls who wear the hijab and abayas who are most likely to “put out”. I’ve often wondered if they are aware that it seems a little bit like a double standard if they cake their faces with makeup but decide to cover their heads. Isn’t the purpose of the hijab modesty? In fact, in Islam, as far as I know, the principle is that men and women should lower their eyes and behave modestly. When driving home, down Sunset Boulevard, I often see the sex workers in a full burqa standing in the shadows, waiting to be picked up. A reporter told me that the way to tell is if they are standing at an odd spot where there is no bus stop or taxi stand.

And so I wonder, I wonder about a product that is full of chemicals that some company is peddling to women who are developing a condition from wearing what some scientists would call an “unnatural” shield to sunlight and air. My grandmother has always worn a dupatta all her life. But the large cloth is loosely wrapped from her shoulders to her head, leaving just enough for fresh air to circulate as it were. It covers the same amount of flesh.

One of our sub-editors commented on the segregation of men and women the other day. At a special celebratory gathering at her house, I believe after her parents had performed the Hajj or Umra pilgrimages to Mecca, they had invited a senior cleric and scholar. When her father invited him up to say a few words, the gentleman said to the guests that while he did not in principle attend mixed gatherings he agreed this time to honour an old friend. He recited the prayer and stepped down. The sub-editor’s father then came forward and remarked to the gathering that as far as he knew, one of the biggest mixed gatherings that takes place in the entire world is the Hajj. Men and women walk together in the House of God, the Ka’abah and it is strictly laid down that the women’s faces must be uncovered. Makes you wonder if we have had it wrong all along.

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I am embarrassed to read the title of this article and it’s contents “Hijab—What next?”  It is prejudice and disrespect of the kind we, as Jews, should be on guard against.  Do we think it’s polite if Muslims question our yamakas?  Please replace the editor who assigned or approved this!

Comment by MRM on 8/01/11 at 5:55 pm

What’s next? Burqa bath soap, Niqab Cream Rinse, and Shador Shampoo. 
And one for our crowd, Sheitl Shampoo, or maybe Kosher Wig Wash.

Comment by druckster on 8/01/11 at 6:04 pm

Shalom/Salam,

I respect Jewish yamakas, please respect Muslim hijabs.

Sincerely, a Catholic disgusted by the ridiculously alarmist title of this wandering article.

Comment by Laurie on 8/01/11 at 7:03 pm

it’s meant to be taken as tongue in cheek I believe. it brings up all the points, the reason others have forsaken this modesty,as one commenter has said Jews and Christians used to cover up…is precisely because of this type of man..who REQUIRES his women to cover up,FORCED modesty(which really isnt modesty at all) is why many have forsaken modesty! That is why it says women in full burqas are prostitutes, it is so true.

Comment by Lily on 8/01/11 at 8:29 pm

This writer is sincere, but confused and confusing.

She needs a great deal of editorial oversight to deserve being published if this is her self-edited output.

She does herself and JJ a great diservice.

Comment by The Logician on 8/01/11 at 8:39 pm

“In the last ten years or so I’ve seen more and more women adopt the headgear, burqa and abaya…”  Perhaps you left out the words “coerced into adopting”, but this new shampoo will make them feel much better about their station as chattel.  Vitamin D is probably haraam anyhow.

Comment by Storm Saxon's Gall Bladder on 8/02/11 at 7:26 pm

There is nothing disrespectful here. The author makes an essential point that the largest congregation of Muslims is not segregated and nobody covers their face. In Pakistan, Islam seems to begin and end on women. What women wear seems to be every other man’s concern. The burqa and hijab have increased significantly in the past 6-7 years, and Sunsilk is capitalising on that – a smart move indeed.
It is very unfortunate though to see little girls covered up and conscious of every move they make at a time when they should be carefree. It is also very suffocating that the issue cannot be discussed without “religious sentiments” being hurt. Quite obviously, it doesn’t take a lot to do that. I mean if a blog on a shampoo ad can hurt or “embarass” people, a sensible debate is clearly out of question. 

@ MRM: Please read. The title is “Hijab shampoo?what next!” It is not “Hijab-what next.” Changes things considerably.

Comment by Panjetan on 8/08/11 at 4:24 am

This writer is very confused.  On the one hand: “Indeed, in Karachi, especially if you are coming from certain neighbourhoods, taking public transport or taxis, you need to adhere to this code for simple protection (even if it is not your religious belief). Wearing a full-length black abaya sends a message across to men on the street.” On the other: “Interestingly, the boys in Karachi say that it is the girls who wear the hijab and abayas who are most likely to ‘put out’.” So which is it?  It sounds like the one sure way to keep men from acting on their “lustful urges” is a swift knee to the groin.

Comment by Guest on 9/05/11 at 5:08 am

no one is forcing you to wear hijab or not but you should respect other’s point of view their life style and values.There is no need to feel sad about girls who are coving their selves. In this way reliegious people can say that We feel sad for these non covring women who have to be burned in hell one day. so be moderate and no one will say something to you. These type of views in which we critisise someone creates depression and hate society.

Comment by Fatima Butt on 2/24/12 at 5:57 am

but no one will be burned in hell for the reason of not covering. even that statement is a sick abuse. covering was for the fallen angel men who lusted after human women..are muslims saying they are from the fallen angel men who lust after human women and caused all the wickedness on the earth? is that what they admit to? offspring of wicked giants? even muslims say they are from the giants.  maybe they just admit who and what they are. ill just take it like that. that the former scriptures explain who and what they are by their behaviour and beliefs. modesty is great, but even two different types of beings can employ modesty.

Comment by Lily on 2/24/12 at 6:16 am

They have a hadith that says,:“if you see a strange woman and lust after her, go home and sleep with your wife for all women are the same.” They are just different in mindset. they (not all of them) cover ,not for the same reason as someone else. They can enforce covering with abuse ,tyranny ,anger and bitterness of soul. whereas a better soul covers by choice and joy. not because they fear lust of fallen wicked angels.
it does matter WHY you have a rule. and that is why hijab laws rubs people all different ways.

Comment by Lily on 2/24/12 at 6:18 am

Lily is correct in that the hijab can be seen as joyful acceptance, but there is no real choice for most women.

One must look at the effect of the rule as it affects all women.  They have no real choice…the rule exists whether they like it or not.

This issue divides fundamentalists from the modern world.  Modern Orthodox Jews have found a way to co-exist in harmony, with good conscience and with a sense of preserving their ideals.

See the fundamentalists in practice; there is no escape from their personal and interpersonal tyranny.

Comment by The Logician on 2/24/12 at 8:38 am

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