Muslim women face discrimination globally over hijab, expert says

Most women in the world face discrimination due to hijab, Chair of the Muslim Council of Belgium (MRB), Esma Uçan, said at the international conference themed “Islamophobia in Focus: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas” in Baku on May 26.

Uçan highlighted the challenges Muslim women encounter due to their religious attire, Caliber.Az reports per local media. 

"In Belgium, hundreds of teachers are excluded from the system because of their clothing,” she noted, emphasising that the professional lives of some women are still being restricted due to their beliefs. 

“The government should see Muslims as friends, not as threats. Women with headscarves still have difficulty finding jobs. We must fight together against these stereotypes,” she added. 

The conference in Baku focused on various issues related to Islamophobia, with several speakers emphasising the difficulties that Muslim women face in the Western world.

In this vein, Aisha Yousef Al-Mannai, Deputy Chairperson of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, echoed similar concerns. She noted that Islamophobia not only impacts religious freedoms but also erodes moral values. 

"The people of Gaza are currently suffering from hunger, thirst, and disease. The violation of women's rights has always worried humanity. The intersection of religion and cultural prejudices has always been a source of controversy, she said, stressing that Muslim women suffer the most from the misrepresentation of Islam.

Similarly, Morocco’s International Law Professor, UN representative Bahija Jamal pointed out the negative stereotypes about Muslim women in the European media.

“There is a clear exaggeration in the pictures in the presentation. Showing women in such a light is not at all welcome. It is also unfortunate that the voice of Muslim women is not heard in the media space [of Europe],” Jamal stated while showcasing a presentation reflecting negative news and pictures about Muslim women published in some media outlets.

She underscored that the negative stereotypes about Muslim women prevailing in the media contribute to the spread of Islamophobia.

According to Jawad Kerdoudi, President of the Moroccan Institute for International Relations (IMRI), the trend is due to widespread “ignorance in the West.”

He called for improved religious education and increased representation of women within religious institutions. 

"Accurate programs about Islam should be developed. Increasing the role of women in religious structures is also necessary. Persons holding the position of imam should also be kept in focus," Kerdoudi advocated.

The conference also touched upon France’s approach to Muslims in the country. Thus, French journalist Jean-Michel Brun noted that Muslims are “presented as terrorists” in the country, fuelling Islamophobia further. 

He noted that the contradictory situation in France's foreign policy is evident in its relations with Türkiye, Algeria and Azerbaijan.

“In France today, Muslims are being presented as terrorists. This further encourages Islamophobia. French media owners openly express their views on Islamophobia,” he noted. 

By Sabina Mammadli