Everyone believes that this piece of fabric not only covers my head, but my brain too, affecting its ability to function intellectually.
I’m always told that my actions and ideas don’t befit my headscarf. People always expect me to act like a nun, and to always defend the headscarf and the conduct of every covered female.
I was shopping with my dad one time, a few years back, when we ran into a friend of his.
"What grade is the little princess in?"
"She’s majoring in mass communication" replied my father.
"But you're covered! Why didn't you study agriculture or education? Something easy for you, dear, so you don’t have to make too much of an effort. Mass communication isn't for you."
I couldn't stop myself from asking him why.
I had to listen to "uncle" lecture me about how veiled women should choose a quiet life and careers that don't require people who need to look presentable.
"Presentable" meaning something to be proud of. So, this piece of fabric means my appearance is nothing to be proud of.
And of course, I should choose a field of work that doesn't demand any physical or mental effort
Sometime after that, I was driving my car along the corniche when a guy suddenly cut me off and broke my left mirror.
I stopped the car, got out, and very calmly asked him to pay for the damage.
"It's not a big deal”, he said,
“I mean, it’s just a mirror. Plus, you're not supposed to pick a fight with me; you’re a veiled woman."
What does my headscarf have to do with the situation? I don’t get it!
I kept waiting for the guy to pay me the money.
When more than an hour had passed and he still hadn’t shown up, I broke one of his mirrors and left him a note that said it wasn't right of him to treat me like that and just leave, regardless whether I was veiled, bald, or naked!
 
I chose to cover my head, but that doesn’t mean I chose to be treated like valuable goods behind a display window, which people can pass by and praise but not approach.
I am a human being, and my headscarf shouldn’t put me on a pedestal.
I hate it when people call me "poor thing" or “good girl”.
Being veiled doesn't necessarily mean that I am better than any other girl who isn't.
*Performed in:
BuSSy 2009 - Cairo