Faith and Culture: Scarf Diplomacy

"By wearing this scarf, I have become a sort of “Muslim ambassador.”  I am clearly identified as being such and for the most part, people are keen on learning more.  As long as people are willing to learn, I am willing to educate." [Attia Nasar]

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Opinion
Source & Credit: 'attianasar’s posterous' blog | Cross-post
By Attia Nasar | March 22, 2010

This is a sort of phenomena that I only understood after I started to wear a scarf.

There is a culture around women who wear scarves; a common aspect that connects all scarf wearers around the world. Whenever I see another veiled women, be it at an airport, mall, or school, there is this instant connection and we are bonded for that moment. 

As we pass each other our lips sound out “Assalaamoalaikum” the traditional Islamic greeting, and the reply is seen back through movement of the lips, a nod of the head, a smile, or crackled lines around the eyes signifying a smile that may be hidden.


It has been an honor for me since donning the scarf that I may utter those few words to women that many never speak with.  I feel I belong to this special group, and that instills in me a greater sense of pride in wearing my scarf.

But it's interesting to know how many non-Muslims say “Assalaamoalaikum” to me as well. The scarf is an automatic indicator of Islam.

The scarf is a great conversation starter.  I've had many people just come up to me and ask about it, and I am glad to educate others about it. On my way back from California over spring break, I had many such instances at the airport.

As I waiting in line to get my coffee, an older man, asked me “Don’t you get hot in that?” He used to live in Jordan so was familiar with the lifestyle of Muslim women there. He further added that he always gets so hot while flying, so he assumed I must burn up in the scarf as well.  Time for some education: I explained to him that scarves are made out of multiple materials and in the summer I chose thinner scarves to wear and in the winter I wear thicker scarves.

As I was walking around the airport another woman passed me by; covered from head to toe in black, all but her eyes were hidden.  She looked at me, nodded her head and I could see the smile in her eyes as I said “Assalaamoalaikum” to her.

While waiting to get food at a restaurant, a young man looked at me an uttered those exact words.  Turns out he was in the U.S. Army and had served in Iraq and Afghanistan. We continued our conversation over lunch where he posed multiple questions to me about the religion and women’s rights.  I think it was a successful conversation and he seemed to have left with much food for thought.

By wearing this scarf, I have become a sort of “Muslim ambassador.”  I am clearly identified as being such and for the most part, people are keen on learning more.  As long as people are willing to learn, I am willing to educate.


Read the original post here: Scarf Diplomacy

Attia Nasar is a graduate student in the Public Diplomacy program at Syracuse University where she is a candidate for an M.S. in Public Relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and an M.A. in International Relations from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. She is currently the Web Chair for the Association of Public Diplomacy Scholars and Public Diplomats for Human Rights. She may be reached at anasar@syr.edu, or via twitter @duniya_ki_beti.