Darine Houmani -Montreal

In a time where identities intersect with politics, the hijab is no longer merely a personal choice or a religious symbol; it has become a public issue that sparks debate in Western spaces, placing hijabi women face-to-face with daily questions about belonging, freedom, and the right to be different.

In Canada, as in other Western countries, many hijabis experience a range of situations from acceptance to marginalization, from recognition to exclusion, amid a rising anti-Muslim discourse and increasing formal and informal restrictions in workplaces, education, and public life—especially in the province of Quebec. Here, the debate has a clear legal dimension, particularly with the enactment of Law 21, which bans visible religious symbols in several state institutions and public positions, including the education sector, in addition to other legislations and draft laws that reinforce the principle of "state secularism" within schools and public institutions, such as Law 94 and Bill 9, which extends the ban to prohibit prayer in schools.

In this report, we interview several veiled women to understand their perspectives on the meaning of the hijab in their lives and to hear firsthand accounts of the challenges they face, moving beyond stereotypes and pre-packaged narratives. These are voices that attempt to tell their experiences as they truly are: human, complex, and imbued with a determination to be present and to assert their right to see the hijab as a free and individual choice.

Fariha Naqvi Mohamed – Journalist at City News Montreal

Journalist Farha Naqwi Mohammed considered that " Wearing the hijab in Quebec is not simply a personal expression of faith, it is a daily negotiation with public perception, policy, and belonging," adding that " For many Muslim women, the hijab is worn quietly, intentionally, and with dignity. Yet in Quebec, it has been politicized, scrutinized, and misunderstood. What should be an intimate act of faith has become a public marker, one that too often invites judgment rather than curiosity.”

Mohammed clarified that " The challenges are layered. There is the professional cost, where qualified women are told, implicitly or explicitly that their ambition must be trimmed to fit someone else’s comfort. There is the emotional toll of walking into spaces knowing you may be seen as a symbol before you are seen as a person. And there is the generational impact, as young girls absorb the message that their future in this society may come with conditions attached." She emphasized "Still, many women persist. They teach, build, create, lead, and contribute, often while carrying the quiet burden of having to prove that their faith does not diminish their competence, commitment, or loyalty to Quebec society."

She noted that it is not about special treatment, but equality in belonging, stating, " A society confident in its values does not fear difference, it makes room for it. True secularism does not ask women to erase themselves to participate fully in public life. It protects freedom of conscience for everyone, or it protects it for no one."

Mohammed concluded that wearing the hijab in Quebec requires resilience, but should not require sacrifice, asserting, "no woman should have to choose between her faith and her future, and no society should be comfortable asking her to.”

Israa Dawi – Federal Government Employee 

Israa Dawi considered that the hijab, above all, is a choice to obey God, stating that it is "a form of resistance, especially given all the injustice and violations we witness today."

Dawi, expressing gratitude for the “blessing of the hijab,” said: "The hijab is a voice of ‘no’ against this injustice, particularly after what we recently saw of shocking and exploitative cases. Sometimes, I deeply appreciate the blessing of the hijab, for the real protection it provides. I truly believe that God does not legislate in vain."

Born in Canada, Dawi says she began wearing the hijab at the age of nine, influenced by her family environment and the scouting activities she participated in with friends: "I did not have the conviction I hold today back then. In adolescence, I went through a period of questions: why? how? can I continue? Over time and experience, I realized the value of this choice and reached a deep conviction that makes me grateful to God for the hijab, because I believe that without it, I would have been a different person today."

She added, "The hijab acted as protection from myself and from straying into paths that could mislead a person. It is a constant reminder of God’s presence in my life, just as a wedding ring reminds its owner of their relationship and responsibility; though it can be removed, its symbolism remains." She considered that "the hijab makes a woman feel that she represents her religion in her behavior and actions, as any mistake may be attributed not only to her but to Islam as a whole. Therefore, the hijab provides a strong motivation to improve behavior and maintain constant awareness of one’s actions."

Dawi stressed the prevalence of the stereotype that hijabis are deprived of will and opinion, noting that "this view exists not only in Canada but also, unfortunately, in our Arab societies."

Professionally, she explained how she studied to become a teacher, but immediately after graduation, Law 21 prohibited hijabis from certain public jobs. She said: "I was not covered by legal exceptions, and I felt a great shock and entered a state of deep sadness and frustration, even wishing to avoid any conversation about the hijab or activism."

She continued: "This ordeal turned into a blessing. I got married, lived in Lebanon for a period, reconnected with my roots there, and returned to Canada stronger. Today, I work in an official position in the federal Canadian government, with a better salary than I would have received as a teacher. Everything I learned was not wasted; I developed new skills in administration and office work."

Dawi explained: "At first, I always tried to justify myself and prove that I am a hijabi and open-minded, thinking this would change others’ perception. But I realized that those who want to hate you will hate you no matter what you do, even if you abandon your identity completely."

She advised young women: "I advise every girl not to fall into the trap of pleasing others at the expense of herself. It is natural to want to belong and to be liked, especially if you are the only hijabi at work or school, but the solution is to surround yourself with people like you who support you, inside or outside work, through community, activities, or any shared interests. When a woman loves herself and her hijab, and takes pride in her identity, those who truly appreciate her will come; those who reject her are usually only superficially respectful, out of fear, not conviction."

Dawi held the media responsible for escalating hostility toward the hijab: "The media plays a major role in creating stereotypes and fostering an anti-Islamic environment. We notice this even in Anglophone media we thought were more neutral. This phenomenon is not limited to Quebec or Canada; it is global, and Islamophobia today is clearly supported by propaganda." She added: "In the end, those who want to listen will listen, and those who do not will remain prisoners of the image the media creates. When a woman speaks about her hijab confidently and faithfully, she has first won over herself, which is the basis for any external confrontation. There are attempts to break us, to tell us that the world is ruled by the powerful, but one day, we will turn things around."

She concluded: "I believe that true resistance starts from within: to believe in ourselves and our choice, and to overcome doubt and fear before confronting the world."

Lubna Magdy Shorouq – Radio Morocco Broadcaster in Montreal

Broadcaster Lubna Magdy Shorouq said she has been wearing the hijab for over twenty-eight years, before coming to Canada from Morocco. "The hijab, for me, is connected to my religion and my identity as a Muslim, and wearing it was a personal, sincere decision, without any pressure from family, husband, or anyone else."

Shorouq confirmed that she had not faced any form of racism since arriving in Canada in 2007, working for five years in an environment of respect where appreciation was based on work quality, not appearance. Today, she works as a government employee in a position where the hijab is allowed.

She considered that "how a person deals with themselves and with others plays a big role; those who feel inferior may give others the opportunity to infringe upon them. But when a person is confident and performs their work diligently, the opinions of others have little effect."

Shorouq condemned Law 21 and similar laws: "I strongly condemn these laws because they violate individual and religious freedom. No entity can dictate what a person wears or believes. This contradicts Quebecois and Canadian values that are based on respect for rights and freedoms. Therefore, I reject these laws as a clear violation of individual liberty."

She explained that "the hostile discourse against Islam is more prevalent on social media than in official media or daily reality. In my work and social environment, I find great solidarity, even regarding the Gaza issue, where Canadians of different faiths or none participate in supportive demonstrations." She added that what happens is "largely a ‘cyber war’ aiming to exaggerate hate speech and give the impression of broad support, while in reality, the racist faction remains limited, and the majority I have interacted with respects others and defends justice."

She emphasized, "It is not fair to generalize accusations against all Canadian media. Some limited media outlets promote a hostile discourse, but many institutions respect diversity and do not adopt this rhetoric. The audience that follows extremist voices often mirrors them in perspective, whereas the majority neither acknowledges nor is influenced by them."

Regarding a common misconception about the hijab, Shorouq said: "The most widespread false idea is that the hijab is imposed on women by men, whether husband or father. While there are individual cases where the hijab is forced, this is not the rule. If the hijab had been forced on me, I would not have been able to work, go out, or participate in society freely. In cases where it is forced, comprehensive restrictions are usually applied to women, which is not the reality for most hijabis."

She addressed a message to young hijabi women: "After Law 21 was enacted, I said that closing one door does not mean the end of the road. In Canada, there are wide opportunities for study and career change, unlike some of our countries. We should not stop or surrender to a single law." She affirmed, "I completely reject the idea of removing the hijab to get a job. I do not believe in sacrificing my convictions and identity for work. There are many fields where a woman can work without giving up her hijab, and I am strongly against removing it for employment."

Jana Al-Haj Suleiman – Master’s Student in Social Sciences and Research Assistant

Activist Jana Al-Haj Suleiman praised a recent meeting held at the Islamic center about the hijab: "We were not just Lebanese; young women from Tunisia and Morocco also participated. Seeing all these young women gathered, I feel that the issue is shared, and we share the same concern. Psychologically, such gatherings encourage me and give me positive energy. We gather, see our strength, talk, and express what’s inside us. These spaces are very important for us."

Suleiman said: "In the meeting, Noor Umm Juhdi, a political science student who also teaches choir, attended. Among the professors, she was directly affected by Law 21, as she could no longer continue her work because of her hijab. She shared her personal experience with us. Samira Al-Aouni also attended and spoke about the importance of this week and her political work. Fatima Khodari, director of Nour Academy, also participated and discussed the school’s role in our region in Quebec, and the issue of the hijab in this context."

Suleiman considered that "this issue affects us particularly in Quebec because it impacts the details of our daily lives." She noted that overtly racist acts sometimes seen in videos were not directly experienced, but she and her hijabi friends faced painful subtleties at work and in studies: "They are seemingly minor, but they clearly hurt. For example, an activity or trip may exclude the hijabi. These things seem trivial, yet they make you feel excluded. You realize you are different in their eyes, even indirectly."

She added: "The core idea is that you know you live in a system that discourages you but encourages others. This leaves an unconscious impact: feelings of sadness, frustration, and sometimes anger." She affirmed that "our Islamic identity gives us internal strength. For me, this reality has not deterred me; on the contrary, it increased my determination. I want to finish my master’s, pursue a PhD, and participate in youth activism. Yes, this environment affects us, but it does not prevent us from continuing or developing ourselves."

Suleiman noted that Islamophobia has not increased but has become more visible: "It has existed for a long time, but today people express it more openly, especially through social media. We see an abnormal level of hate speech, sometimes discussing killing children and women, met with indifference from some. This is not only Islamophobia but also a widespread spread of hate speech. This phenomenon was not created today but has been revealed more clearly."

She referred to a stereotype about hijabis: "It is the same narrative repeated for years, which I believe is the biggest lie. They say a hijabi girl is oppressed, does not make decisions for herself, and cannot control her life. The reality is completely different: she studies, works, may be a mother caring for children, or an independent and active woman in society."

She addressed young women who feel unprepared to face discrimination and therefore choose not to wear the hijab: "I want to say that discrimination is not limited to Islamophobia. In Quebec, you may face racism because you are Arab, part of an ethnic minority, or a woman due to the patriarchal and racist system. Even if you are not hijabi, you will face other forms of injustice. As Muslims, regardless of the hijab, we face these challenges because they are part of our cultural and religious identity. The hijab is not the only reason, and racism will not stop there. What matters is that we are aware and understand that this confrontation is part of our reality wherever we are."

Rima Ezzedine – PhD Holder in Chemistry from McGill University

Dr. Rima Ezzedine considered that the hijab did not pose any obstacle in her life: "I have not experienced any racist incident, even at my workplace. My supervisor is Canadian, and I did not notice any bias or negative attitude. On the contrary, there was great respect, and they considered our needs, such as providing halal food or choosing appropriate places for us. Whether in studies, work, or even in the street, I did not face negative situations, and I thank God for that. Of course, this experience cannot be generalized, but this was my personal experience."

She added: "Regarding job searching, I have not felt that the hijab limited me directly. I am still in the early stage of applying for positions. However, it is known that in Quebec, I cannot work in public education, whether in schools or universities, due to laws prohibiting visible religious symbols in the public sector. This is a reality regardless of competence."

Ezzedine believes that the war in Gaza did not increase Islamophobia: "On the contrary, I feel it raised awareness among many people. In my opinion, the policies in the province of Quebec are the primary factor, as they target all religious symbols, not just the hijab. Even a Jewish man wearing a kippah or a Christian displaying a cross may face restrictions, although a cross can be easily concealed compared to the hijab. The media also plays an important role; if there were clear political and media discourse against Islamophobia in Quebec, the situation would be different."

She said: "I fully understand their concerns. I grew up in Kuwait, and in the Arab world in general, where wearing the hijab was normal, and I never faced any problem because of it. Here in Canada, I understand that fear may exist, even if the hijab is not officially banned in some jobs, because some decision-makers may ignore job applications due to bias without stating it openly. I tell young women: be strong and hold firm to your principles. If God is with you, no one can overcome you. Standing by your conviction gives a person greater inner strength than any external challenge."