The varied symbolism of wearing a head scarf

By Roujin Mozaffarimehr

As an Iranian-American, I've had the privilege to be exposed to different cultures and societies -- that of the U.S. as well as that of Iran. I was born here with parents raised in a different country, which has subsequently caused me to become immersed in a clash of tradition and modernity.

I have visited Iran multiple times in my life. My first trip was when I was 5 years old. In Iran, girls are forced to wear head scarves in public beginning at the age of 9.

I had the interesting experience of visiting Iran before and after I had to abide by the rule.

When I think back to my more recent trips to Iran, I have grown more frustrated with the requirement of wearing a head scarf. As a 9-year-old, I was excited to be a part of the community. I finally was able to look like everyone else. Yet as I grew older, I started to loathe wearing a head scarf during my summer trips.

I was hot and uncomfortable; I could not comprehend why I was forced to wear something that bears meaning to some, but less to others, including me.

During my last trip to Iran, I visited the highly respected mosque in Mashad. Fully covered, I respectfully entered, only to come out frustrated.

The mosque was split by gender. In the women's section, I sat with my grandmother while she prayed, only to be hassled by a woman tending the section for one strand of hair that poked out from my head covering.

I was mortified. The degradation of what many people see as a religious symbol angered me. I felt that the enforcement of such a rule not only devalued the symbol of the head scarf, but also limited the rights of women.

As a result, I deemed it necessary to question the legitimacy of the law. At the same time, I question the banning of head scarves altogether; countries including France and Turkey restrict the wearing of a head scarf. I find myself rather confused, because I feel that the fundamental rights of women to express themselves are hindered in both situations.

We are very lucky to live in a country where we have the freedom to express ourselves physically and religiously. The very essence of this freedom has the power to impact the rest of the world in the form of example. I feel that each and every one of us feels differently about the covering of oneself.

The head scarf has taken on different forms, seen as a symbol of religion, of tradition and, sadly, of oppression. Example has a very compelling effect -- only with discussion, understanding and most importantly, example, can we shed light on the follies of denying such an important right.

Roujin Mozaffarimehr is a senior political science major.