Tricia-Andrews

In the daily situations of my life I know where to go, what to do, what to say and more importantly what not to say. Perhaps what I’ve enjoyed most about this project so far is the way that it has removed all of my usual comforts of familiarity and habit. It’s not everyday that I find myself completely out of my “typical” environment and I value these opportunities because you don’t learn anything inside your own comfort zone.  For instance, I may have never recognized my own assumption that all Muslim women cover their heads. I’m sure much of this stems from the fact that when I see a woman with her hair or face covered I immediately identify her as Muslim; However, when I see women without covered heads I identify nothing except perhaps their hair color.

  As  I rode the elevator up to the Ramadan fast-breaking dinner at the Tate Student Center, I wondered if my uncovered red hair would seem irreverent, disrespectful or just plain offensive. When contemplating my wardrobe choice, though, I had quickly eliminated the idea of covering my own head. I felt that this would be more likely to be irreverent than naked hair. An outward display without an inner reality seems more like a Halloween costume. Yet still I was painfully aware and self-conscious while I walked past the rows of prayer mats and groups of men giving me a few curious glances. Then I saw two doors: one labeled “sisters” and another labeled “brothers.” Yes! I know the answer to this one! I’m a sister. That’s something.

  Inside a large room a line of tables ready for food separated the men and women. I saw a table of girls who looked about my age, took a seat and introduced myself. To my relief, only half of them covered their heads. The girls I met were warm and receptive to me, the newcomer. I explained to them the idea of the project (debunking the “college is where you go to lose your religion” myth) and many of the girls affirmed that their faith had in fact become stronger in their college years. A man began to sing the call to prayer and many women whose heads were uncovered pulled out scarves and veils or pulled up their hoodies. Moments before, a girl who had arrived without her hair covered expressed her concern to her veiled friend that she had forgotten her head covering. The veiled girl reassured her that she need not worry because if she is to cover, then she should do it for God and not for the people around her. While the others left to pray the girl who had forgotten her hair covering explained to me that while some women choose not to cover their hair at all times, Muslim women always cover their hair during prayer so she would not participate without the proper covering.

  I took the opportunity to ask her about sensitivities to photos during prayer. She told me that the men would likely not mind at all but that certain women may be more sensitive. I also learned that prayer should always be photographed from the front and not from behind out of respect. I’m looking forward to getting to know some of the girls that I met, and some seemed open to letting me document their walks of faith. I hope to better understand and communicate the role and value of Islam in their lives.