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Answer
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Name
Adam
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Profession
Question
Why did you start such a project ? Do you really find any positive results ?
Answer
I wanted to do something with the subject of veiling, since there was a lot of discussion in the Netherlands. During my research I discovered a lot of prejudice, as usual, didn't fit the girls who I talked to. So I wanted to design something that took the heavy load away from the hijab and design something that meets both worlds.
Since my graduation I've been overwhelmed with positive reactions, not only by the media and the non-Muslims, but especially on the internet where I wrote an article about my work & vision on veiling in the west. The ISIM article, my hotmail address was mentioned and in no time I had a worldwide feedback from many enthusiastic Muslim's
Most of them well-educated and very self aware, but also aware of the problems others might have with the hijab in a western society. One of them put it like this: with your designs I can show people I'm willing to integrate but while keeping my own values & norms.
Name
Aisha
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Profession
Question
How do you see the status of Muslim women in the Dutch Community? Are most of them committed Muslims or is it hard to tell?
Answer
I don't like to generalize... That's what happens when you stop looking at individuals and it's done on both sides unfortunately...
But I think that a lot of these young Muslim women in the Netherlands don't resemble the prejudices about them and are underestimated.
What I personally appreciate is the positive view they have on life, on religion and on their part in society. The reason we have these court-cases & heavy discussions regarding the hijab is because these girls are well integrated: they know their rights, and they demand to be treated equally, something that's not possible in some parts of the worlds, but is effective in democracies.
But then again, this is my experience with the active Muslim girls nowadays. I am aware of the fact that, unfortunately, within some communities or even families, the choice & freedom of some women & girls is not appreciated. But I'm happy with what I see of the emancipated, well educated & integrated women whom I speak to or work with...
The subject of freedom of choice, or ‘Baas op Eigen Hoofd’ (‘boss on my own head’) in Dutch is not only a struggle within society but sometimes within the community itself as well, where others sometimes think to know better what's best for the girls or women.
Name
Fatima
- Canada
Profession
Question
Do you think that a similar project in France may solve the hijab crisis there ?
Answer
I have had some positive reactions to my project from France. I hope that with the launch of the new line of ‘Capsters’ this fall (or winter) I can take away some prejudices regarding the hijab. But in the end the people themselves are responsible to 'solve' things...
I do hope the word ‘ostentatious’, which of course is very subjective, does not apply to my designs; the Capsters. Wearing a not too conspicuous hijab might be a solution; because from what I understand the hijab, which just covers the hair (and not the neck) is still accepted. This says a lot about the receiver’s problems. It's not the covering, it's the way 'they are covering themselves... at least that's my conclusion from reading the articles regarding the situation on hijab in the West and that's often what is confirmed during panel discussions I have with Muslim women & a wide range public.
Name
Khaled
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Profession
Question
What kind of challenges did you face in carrying out your project? And what are you future plans?
Answer
Challenges... I have been thinking about wearing a hijab myself to experience the feeling and the 'product' I have to design. I did wear hijab inside, but limited my real experience to my talks with Muslim girls. One of the greatest steps within the design process was the feedback I got from the girls while showing them my sketches.
Another challenge was that I had to convince my team of teachers about the value of the subject. They were not convinced of my choice of subject. I think after the media hype they might have scratched themselves behind the ears (being slightly surprised) as we say in Dutch.
Another challenge was to get Capsters produced... I'm primarily a designer, not a business women. So I was planning to have my designs produced by sport brands. After contacting them they were very enthusiastic. However, they told me my designs didn't fit their brand but they did encourage me to produce them. So, due to the orders I already received through my Hotmail address that was published in the ISIM article & because of the media attention, I decided to launch my own line. This took me untill 2001 (I graduated in 1999), when I launched www.capsters.com It was a great challenge to produce the Capsters, but also learned quite a lot!
Name
Muslim
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Profession
Question
How was the reaction of the Muslim in the netherlands towards your project?
Answer
I got positive feedback from girls, women, but also Muslim men who came up to me, usually after presentations (about veiling but also about my work, I work as what you may call an ambassador of free choice), thanking me for what I did. That is very rewarding.
I also enjoy the positive feedback I get through the internet,on my website.
But yes the, the Dutch Muslim community in general has reacted in a positive way, since I've tried to solve a problem. I believe within the global village not only the dominant culture should be favored, but should also try to find solutions or compromises that will result in better integration. Otherwise, assimilation will be forced, and that will never benefits minorities.
Name
Activist
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Profession
Question
How do you deal with the media to explain your stance and promote your project ?
Answer
Good question!
I realized after graduation that with all this (inter)national attention it would be splendid to try to counter some prejudices as well. Though some people, of course, might be suspicious when you want to 'sell' a product. That's why I try to separate the two. I get invited a lot for presentations on my work, to give my vision, or to attend panel discussions about the subject or ‘multicultural society’.
I'm working with a business partner who is responsible for commercializing the brand. This gives me the freedom to continue with what I love the most: explaining about veiling in the West, explaining my vision & work and be creative and come up with new designs!
I did realize from the beginning of my media appearance that it would be important to share the information I had gathered during my research on hijab and the girls & women who wear it: motivation, education, participation, emancipation etc. Also the fact that I'm not a Muslim woman and I don't wear a hijab can perhaps help me to offer a more objective view on the subject.
Of course I do work & talk about the subject with a lot of Muslim women and men, the results of which I use in my presentations, articles and projects
Name
Ali
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Profession
Question
Why we should we agree on specific designs that fit the European environment? Can they not accept us as the way we are?
Answer
I agree with what you say, but if you consider the court case about sports in school, it's obvious we need to find a compromise. Therefore, I've designed a safe hijab, since that was the problem the gym teachers and schools obviously had with the hijab. If that's the problem I think, especially speaking as a designer, that we should solve that instead of forbidding the hijab.
Also, I'm not telling people to wear my designs, nor that my designs should replace traditional hijab. As much as I am pro-choice I also believe in your freedom of choice how to cover yourself.
On the other hand, I did find out that a lot of girls feel that their wardrobe is limited, since they want it to suit the hijab. The hijab often demands a more elegant & stylish look, rather than a sporty one. To give you an example: one day a girl aged 13 entered my studio. She was wearing a very traditional hijab with a wide blouse & long skirt. She dressed older than her age. She was very enthusiastic about the skate model of Capsers, and told me she could wear trousers with that instead! I'm not trying to force a western look on Muslim girls, I just try to offer them an alternative.
Name
muzzammil
- India
Profession
ceramic engineer
Question
Hello cindy,
I have just read about your hijab designs and awareness campaign. Indeed you are doing a great job to inform the general public about the actual meaning of hijab. I would like to know what inspired you to work for Muslim women and their right to wear the hijab?
Answer
Thank you for your compliments, it's always nice to receive feedback on my work, especially since I try to meet both worlds.
What inspired me to work on the subject of veiling was the tension that arose around since 1985; at least in the Netherlands. Of course when I was graduating, 9-11 hadn't happened yet, but still a lot of women faced some difficulties with the hijab. That was my starting point: both curiosity (why do they want to cover themselves? Do they have to? Who is telling them to? Why do they wear them like that. etc.)
I tried to transform the prejudices into questions and through my designs I hope to challenge and open the way for people who might be interested once they open up for the fact that Muslim women do want to cover themselves out of free choice.
Name
Tanveer
- United Kingdom
Profession
Doctor
Question
Do you have any outlets in UK selling your hijabs?
Answer
Sorry, Capsters is only sold through the Internet:
www.capsters.com Once we have launched the new line we are planning to expand distribution to include shops & stores.
Name
moshin
- United Kingdom
Profession
entreprenur
Question
In the UK, many sisters are already wearing designer HIJABS !!! Hasn’t this concept arrived in other European countries? If not, why not?
Answer
Yes, I'm aware of that, though I do think these designer hijabs are still mostly shawls & scarves. A lot of Dutch girls experience with several combinations in colors, materials & numbers (!) of shawls.
Capsters are convenient or comfortable since you don't have to tie or pin the hijab anymore. It's pulled over the head or adjustable with velcro and in stretch material in a variety of colors & fabrics.
Also it's interesting to see that a lot of different styles appear. In the Netherlands the girls from Moroccan descent seem to be the trendiest, but lately other girls are adapting their styles as well.
Still the country of their descent plays a part in how they choose to wear the hijab or which hijab they wear.
Name
Suha
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Profession
Question
Do you think that your project could be successful in the different European countries?
Answer
Yes, they already are. I was focusing on the Dutch situation with sports & hijab in school. After the media attention I discovered that it was not only a Dutch or European problem, but a universal one. Most reactions I receive are from migrants in western countries: the United States, Australia & Europe.
