Religious Attire

[Tango Charlie]

I think that a common misunderstanding is that hijab (in any form) is repressive.

 

It's imposed by law in Iran and Suadi Arabia, and previously in Afghanistan, and is part of a system designed to repress women in those countries. But to be fair, all of the monotheisms have the hallmarks of being man-made creations in the very literal sense, so this isn't a slight against Islam specifically.

 

Also, I think a niqab wouldn't be such a big deal. Most expression is conveyed through someone's eyes, anyway. It wouldn't be much different than communicating to someone wearing a surgical mask or N95.

[Twitteringbird]

i see that someone posted a reply for this old thread and thought what the heck i will too...i'm wondering if the OP got into the med school u know since the may 15th decisions have been announced

[serenity]

yes I did

[skye]

congratulations

[Twitteringbird]

yay! congratulations

[serenity]

Thank-you!

[ToHellInAHandbasket]

Congrats!

 

P.S. That was me who dug up this old thread...sorry! But now I'm glad that I did!

[sfinch]

I'm christian (and asian) and wear a cross often. I didn't during my interviews.

 

I'm from Vancouver, where the jewish population is not that big (though Seth Rogen is from here), but a jewish guy from here I know that applied to meds this yr told me he wore his star of david for interviews at UWO and UofT, and wore the kippah (sp?) for interviews in some NY med schools (even though he's not religious) because he said being jewish helps getting in. He got into NYU, Yeshiva and Columbia, plus both UT and UWO. I guess it depends on the situation.

 

It all depends. I would think a Hijab would hurt for US med schools...probably not as much in Canadian schools unless one has an Israeli interviewer...lol

[whale.of.a.time]

ha ha, oh no!

 

The ol' Jewish doctor theory...hilarious. I think my parents might be the only jewish folks out there who didn't want me to go into medicine!

 

and wore the kippah (sp?) for interviews in some NY med schools (even though he's not religious) because he said being jewish helps getting in.

[serenity]

I see what you guys are saying but I don't think taking off the cross and the star of David is not the same thing as taking off the hijab (at least to my knowledge...I admit I am not a religious scholar so I could be wrong). The hijab is a mandatory part of Islam whereas I do not believe wearing the cross or the star is mandatory to the Christian and Jewish faith, respectively...I guess at the end of the day it depends on what your priorities are and where you are willing to bend...I did not take off the hijab at my interview because I turn to my religion for strength during my daily life so I would feel hypocritical taking it off (which is something my religion forbids) and at the same time praying to God for success...I don't think I would have done anything differently if my interview was elsewhere in the world or even if I had to apply multiple times to get in (although, I admit that It would cross my mind whether the hijab is the reason for multiple rejections ...In fact, this concern is the primary reason I started this thread in the first place)...thanks to everyone for their responses

[confusled123]

Serenity, I agree with you! I also wore my hijab to my interview and was also accepted thank God. Although some people may feel that religious symbols/practices are frowned upon in a secular society and in fact may hinder potential achievements, really if it is something you pride yourself with on a regular basis then why shy away so you it may help you get what you want.

If something is meant to be, then I guess it will happen! =)

[mbene085]

I think that a common misunderstanding is that hijab (in any form) is repressive. But most women who wear hijab find it liberating and free to be 'protected' from being seen as a sexual object. Or at the very least, it's the *idea* that they are more than their body.

 

I love a good feminist debate, so here's a counterpoint:

 

Is it not so that, by covering her entire body and face to prevent her from being seen as a sexual object, a woman is conceding that she is a sexual object? After all, if she is not, then it is each man's responsibility not to think of her in that way, and not her responsibility to hide from men. The difficulty I have accepting that it is not a repressive practice is that the women are required to take action when it is the men's thoughts and desires that are the problem. In other words, it's not a man's duty to keep his thoughts pure and his eyes from wandering, but it is the woman's duty to prevent herself from being looked upon by such men. Because, as a sexual object, men have no choice but to view her as such.

 

One of the core principles of feminism is gender equality, and this situation really seems to be calling for a woman to act in order to prevent men from having a problem they could deal with themselves. If a woman is not a sexual object, then a man is responsible for his own sexual desires and must control them. But why should men control themselves when they can force women to cut off the problem at the source?

 

Of course, I'm speaking of the full-body, full-face niqab here. Plenty of religions have rules regarding appropriate attire, both for reasons of modesty and to show respect for their god(s), and the hijab is really no different.

 

Also, keep in mind that I am being somewhat philosophical about approaching this, and do so with no ill will toward people who believe in this. I just genuinely find feminism interesting and enjoy discussing these types of things.

[confusled123]

Well the niqab that you are referring to is not obligatory for Muslim women. There are several differences of opinions between Islamic scholars regarding this matter however all can agree that the hijab (along with the loose, fully covered clothing) is mandatory.

 

Although I do agree with your point in theory, however, in practice its not as simple. We can see the highly successful pornographic industry where women (and men) are both exploited to satisfy whatever needs. So although men SHOULD be responsible in their regards to women, the reality is it doesn't always happen.

 

The significance the hijab is not merely an ornament to protect women from becoming sexualized, rather as you put it mbene085, represents modesty as well as several other personal identifications .

[tyro]

I'm Asian/Christian too and did wear my cross. Only got waitlisted though, so maybe I should've worn a kippah instead(j/k - I actually suck at interviews). Anyway, the OP did get in while wearing her attire, so congrats to her! and it goes to show that religious attire doesn't really matter.

 

I'm christian (and asian) and wear a cross often. I didn't during my interviews.

 

I'm from Vancouver, where the jewish population is not that big (though Seth Rogen is from here), but a jewish guy from here I know that applied to meds this yr told me he wore his star of david for interviews at UWO and UofT, and wore the kippah (sp?) for interviews in some NY med schools (even though he's not religious) because he said being jewish helps getting in. He got into NYU, Yeshiva and Columbia, plus both UT and UWO. I guess it depends on the situation.

 

It all depends. I would think a Hijab would hurt for US med schools...probably not as much in Canadian schools unless one has an Israeli interviewer...lol

[stunna]

I wear a turban and was accepted to 6 schools in Canada and 2 ivy league schools in the states, i can assure any one that your religious attire will in all likelihood not hinder your chances. I would go as far as saying it actually improves them to certain degree by making you a little more memorable, that's just my opinion though.