The 'jilbab' a personal choice for Muslim women

The 'jilbab' a personal choice for Muslim women

JAKARTA (JP): It's not a case of everybody's doing it, and
some Muslim women who make the intensely personal decision to
wear the jilbab (head scarf) must deal with negative reactions
from those around them, including members of their family.

Several woman who have made Muslim fashion part of their daily
lives tell their stories.

Tika, 40, a married private company employee. The mother of
two began wearing Muslim attire several months ago.

It was a hard decision, and it took a long time to make. I had
a lot of things to consider, like my work and other issues, even
things like the fact I would have to get rid of a lot of my
clothes. Would I feel hot wearing the clothes, or unsure of
myself? But all of those fears were lost when I decided to make
the decision on the 10th day of the Ramadhan fasting month last
year. I dreamed I was wearing the jilbab, and I was no longer
hesitant about wearing the clothes.

My husband and my mother, who also wears the jilbab, were
happy. Some others thought I was only doing it for the fasting
month, and made comments like "When are you going to take it off?
What, have you become bald?" But I knew they were only joking.

What I've found with the clothes is that it's a bit hard
because my height (153 cms) and figure don't fit the usual sizes,
and I have to have things adjusted. So I've been going to a
seamstress for the clothes, using examples from magazines, but
I'm buying the head scarves gradually because they are quite
costly. I get my scarves in Tanah Abang Market. There is a lot of
choice and the prices are reasonable. I would never go to a
boutique, because they're too expensive.

For work, I usually wear pants because I commute to work on
the bus, so it's easier getting on and off the vehicle.

Neno Warisman, 36, an actress and singer who now devotes most
of her time to a foundation for the aged. She has three children.

I started wearing the jilbab in 1990. I had started thinking
about the best way to better myself and it was a process of about
two years before I made the decision. I felt many people didn't
believe in me, and some of them felt it was a pity because they
felt I was a talented actress and that I had lost my chance. Even
members of my family regretted it because they thought my career
was starting to take off. And others thought I must have suffered
some kind of trauma -- why was I doing it?

Then it was hard, but once you've passed that it's easier.

But there are two sides to the development of fashion. Many
women are wearing Islamic dress, so it has become common. And
many are using my style. But there is still a lot of
misunderstanding about the style and what follows religious
dictates. And I also see that a lot of women who wear Muslim
attire haven't really changed to a devout way of thinking.

Second, almost all of the Muslim clothes sold in the market
are for parties, receptions. So it's difficult for women other
than young women to find clothes which are right. I've been
invited to be on different juries for Muslim fashion shows, and
the majority of clothes are for parties. And the clothes we have
are the really luxurious for the rich, and the really ugly for
the rest.

I'm happy that women are wearing Muslim fashions, even if they
are mixing jilbab with baggy pants, but we have to go further
than just showing off. Wearing Muslim attire is not just about a
show of faith for others, it's also from inside. But everybody
has their own path.

Laras Suryo, the 51-year-old newly retired head of general
affairs division from the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration
and a mother of four.

I've been wearing it for years, probably for the past 10
years. I've never felt that wearing Muslim attire hampers my
desire to look fashionable. There are stores selling good-quality
and trendy Muslim outfits so there is practically no problem for
people in finding them, however the prices are quite expensive.
Maybe the problem is finding reasonably priced garments with
motifs that can be mixed and matched with other suits.

Rita, 42, a mother of four, she embraced Islam two years after
marrying her Indonesian husband and began wearing the jilbab five
years later.

I've been wearing it for 15 years. When you make that sort of
choice, it is, of course, very monumental and very personal. I
did not come from a society that "makes", for the want of a
better word, its women cover up from the time they are young
girls. I realized I would suddenly be putting myself out in the
forefront because there were so few covered Muslim women in my
area (Sydney) but I was already comfortable with the decision.

Fashion-wise, it was easier in Sydney as I could find my size
over there. Here, I go to a seamstress. But I think I would have
to do that anyway because what I see of the fashion here for
Muslim women is, while flattering I guess, not suitable to go to
the store in. It's either meters and meters of material in an
outfit or it has see-through parts. I don't like the way
designers here create most of the Muslim outfits. They're either
all fluffy like Cinderella or you look like you're about to step
into a board meeting.

The designers should be exploring who they are designing for,
not just as women going to a party or meeting, and have millions
of rupiah to spend, but as people who have to go shopping, ferry
the kids around, exercise at the club or wherever, make a spur-of
the-moment-decision to go out for nasi goreng with the family, a
night out with hubby, whatever. Just don't make us look like
Muslim Barbie dolls.

Ida Royani, 53, former actress and now a designer of Muslim
fashion. She is the mother of seven children.

I've worn the jilbab since 1978, when it was still unusual
here, what's more for young women. I used to wear crazy clothes,
like hot pants which were really nothing more than panties. But
then I started to study the Koran, and I realized the
consequences of not following Islamic teachings.

I always liked fashion, and I had always designed my own
clothes, so I think it was like Allah gave me a new path in life.
I wanted Muslim fashion to develop, not just here but abroad. Now
you can see a lot more women wearing the clothes.

You have the whole range available -- expensive, reasonable
and inexpensive. I don't see any problem with people buying
expensive clothes, as long as they are following the other
obligations in Islam, like aiding the poor. I make expensive
clothes, and people know me for that. The most costly outfit I
make is about Rp 4 million. (brc/lup)