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Your letters: Debating '€˜jilboob'€™ versus jilbab

A few months ago, some colleagues of mine kind-heartedly advised me to modify the way I wore my jilbab (Islamic headscarf)

The Jakarta Post
Tue, August 12, 2014 Published on Aug. 12, 2014 Published on 2014-08-12T10:30:48+07:00

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few months ago, some colleagues of mine kind-heartedly advised me to modify the way I wore my jilbab (Islamic headscarf). They said the change would accentuate my face and I would be more fashionable. '€œIt would still cover your hair,'€ they argued. My brow furrowed, alternating between excitement and doubt.

The temptation to be stylish, modern and beautiful is alluring. After all, a woman is a creature of beauty, isn'€™t she? Yet, I reject that idea, as it is not what I am. The way I dress does not define me. I wear jilbab and clothes that suit me and I choose apparel that provides comfort and convenience for my daily activities, including backpacking. So, it is not reserved for religious reasons or just for following the trend. It is a personal affair.

Then, over the last few days, '€œjilboobs'€ began trending in social media. A Facebook page entitled '€œJilboob Community'€ was even launched, which displayed many pictures of women with jilboobs uploaded. The page triggered heated discussions on and offline. My friends'€™ newsfeeds are flooded with a stream of information on the topic. The issue has aroused the ire of conservatives as well, resulting in the issuance of a religious edict from the country'€™s highest authority on Islam.

Jilboobs are used to define the trend of combining Muslim women dress and jilbab with tight-fitting clothes. Such a combination accentuates a woman'€™s shapes and curves. This trend emerged because many women wearing jilbab wished to remain fashionable and follow the example of their favorite artists or patrons. Even long before jilboobs comes into a spotlight, the phenomenon could be found anywhere, including in Aceh, since the 2000'€™s. For me, the question of jilboob or jilbab is a matter of personal choice, as with prayer or fasting. It is a personal affair with God. When a Muslim chooses not to perform five daily prayers or to fast, we have no power to impose a sanction on him or her, as this ritual is a private affair with God. We can only advise him or her to perform rituals with good words and judgment in the spirit of brotherhood. We can only remind him or her that we are the ambassadors of our faith.

In this spirit of good faith, I say that Muslims should not react so negatively to the jilboobs phenomenon. It is not a criminal act in need of punishment or sanction. The fact that women, especially young teenagers, are now increasingly willing to wear a jilbab is a small step that should be appreciated. It is understandable that they still want to look trendy and modern. The process of getting better is a hijrah (a migration or journey).

The jilboob phenemenon should also be perceived as a constructive criticism on how Muslim women should wear the jilbab. As the ambassasors of our faith, it is our sacred duty to safeguard our behavior, words, and even the way we dress in order to represent our faith as a religion of peace and love.

Personally, jilboob does not really suit me. On a few occasions I attempted to wear such a style, but looking in the mirror, I blushed and felt like I was walking naked in that fashion. Somehow, a woman wearing jilbab, covering her head and her chest, always looks more elegant and beautiful to me. There'€™s something regal in that dress, especially if the manners and behavior of the wearer also reflect the code. I am a continous learner on how to dress and behave properly so I can be a good ambassador to my faith.

Yuni Herlina
Depok, West Java

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