The Experiences of Hijab and Non‐Hijab‐Wearing Muslim Women Students: Exploring Social Isolation and Discrimination in Delhi, India

Abstract

Research suggests that Muslim women wearing the hijab may be particularly vulnerable to the experiences of stigmatization as the hijab represents a dominant marker of “otherness.” Using the relational demography perspective, this paper explored the viewpoints of hijab and non‐hijab‐wearing Muslim women in Delhi regarding the different forms of discrimination and/or social isolation they may have experienced. Thematic analysis was used to explore the participant's narratives, gathered by means of six focus group discussions (n = 38). For the hijab‐wearing group, two emergent themes were evident: “Journey of my hijab” and “The two sides of the hijab.” For the non‐hijab‐wearing group, the emergent themes included: “My name is (un)safe” and “Not Muslim enough.” The study findings can inform the development of intervention strategies to integrate the community more meaningfully by preventing “othering” and providing agency and autonomy.