Pakistani show Umm-e-Ayesha likely to trigger ‘hijab’ problem in Pakistan
Pakistani show Umm-e-Ayesha
likely to trigger ‘hijab’ problem in Pakistan
Pakistan is likely to encounter the ‘hijab’ problem following the release of a Pak film “Umm-e-Ayesha”.
The Saleem Ghanchi directorial
featuring model and actor Nimra Khan explores the trouble of a hijab wearing woman in society.
On the one hand, the protagonist’s determination to don the hijab is commended by everyone, but it backfires when she goes out to look for a job. She struggles to get a job despite building an impressive CV.
Nimra’s character in the show is someone who, from a tender age, has been urged to cover her head. However, it is through her own inclination towards understanding Islam better that she makes a conscious choice to wear the hijab.
This personal choice turns out to be an hindrance to her professional life as her getting a job is contingent on her removing the hijab. She even faces trouble finding a groom.
Markedly, in the corporate world, there’s an immediate ‘othering’ of women wearing hijabs. As per media reports, they face heightened scrutiny and there are professional consequences as well. But that a woman in a Muslim-majority country like Pakistan would be subject to similar prejudice surprises the people.
In an exclusive interaction with the media, Nimra articulated that her character is from a middle-class family. As a girl, she was repeatedly forced by her mother to cover her head.
Nimra however adds that as she reads more on Islam, she chooses to don the hijab since she believes it is better than covering oneself with a dupatta.
It’s yet to be seen whether the show will also look at how the hijab is viewed by women in Pakistan, as it can be a polarising issue.
A user in reddit wrote that Pakistani society largely views hijabi women with the same disdain as Indian society.
In 2022, Pakistan’s former minister for religious affairs opposed the Aurat March, and demanded that 8 March (International Women’s Day) be called Hijab Day.
In response, thousands of women took to the streets to hold protest marches, but it also sparked marches by women in veils supporting the minister’s idea.
It’s worth noting that Nimra Khan herself doesm’t don the hijab.
News Edit K.V.Raman
