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The Tudung Anthology
THE TUDUNG ANTHOLOGY is a women-only anthology featuring essays, fiction and comics.
This is a book about a piece of cloth, and how it is able to weave its way into the hearts of people, causing multiple and different chains of reactions.This book aims to shed light on the bigger picture, and the deeper meaning that comes with a person’s choice to either keep it or discard it, giving us a different perspective to consider our side before making assumptions and drawing conclusions.
This is a book about a piece of cloth, and how it is able to weave its way into the hearts of people, causing multiple and different chains of reactions.This book aims to shed light on the bigger picture, and the deeper meaning that comes with a person’s choice to either keep it or discard it, giving us a different perspective to consider our side before making assumptions and drawing conclusions.
201 pages, Paperback
Published August 19, 2017
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96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 28, 2017
A must read, maybe you can relate to it especially if you are Muslimah from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. The mother of all questions is it hot? sweaty? will be answered in this anthology edited by Azalia Zaharuddin.
Berkisah tentang hal hal emosi dan resah wanita diperkenalkan pada tudung, abaya, jilbab,burqa, hijab dan terma hijabisters digarap dengan 20 luahan peribadi dan fiksyen. Menarik. Tudung gambarannya buat masa ini sangatlah unik, terpalit hal hal yang mampu didebatkan oleh manusia fana. Bertolak dari situ kita akan mula berbicara mengikut kapasitas pemahaman tentang emois, keselamatan, cinta kasih, degil atau menurut, sesekali ianya jadi lucu.
Terpulang pada kamu selepas membaca buku ini samada kamu mahu menjadi hamba trend, menikmati rasa selamat, risau untuk memberi alasan mahu pakai atau tidak.
Buku ini paling tidak memberi penerangan yang tidak berat sebelah kerana perasaan dan emosi kita adalah sangat peribadi, kalau orang tanya kenapa kita akan jawab.
Good to be read by those who are already wearing hijab or any free hair girl like me for a better understanding. Nope it's not about keinsofan maut here....
Berkisah tentang hal hal emosi dan resah wanita diperkenalkan pada tudung, abaya, jilbab,burqa, hijab dan terma hijabisters digarap dengan 20 luahan peribadi dan fiksyen. Menarik. Tudung gambarannya buat masa ini sangatlah unik, terpalit hal hal yang mampu didebatkan oleh manusia fana. Bertolak dari situ kita akan mula berbicara mengikut kapasitas pemahaman tentang emois, keselamatan, cinta kasih, degil atau menurut, sesekali ianya jadi lucu.
Terpulang pada kamu selepas membaca buku ini samada kamu mahu menjadi hamba trend, menikmati rasa selamat, risau untuk memberi alasan mahu pakai atau tidak.
Buku ini paling tidak memberi penerangan yang tidak berat sebelah kerana perasaan dan emosi kita adalah sangat peribadi, kalau orang tanya kenapa kita akan jawab.
Good to be read by those who are already wearing hijab or any free hair girl like me for a better understanding. Nope it's not about keinsofan maut here....
March 23, 2018
Pertama sekali aku suka introduction The Tudung Anthology. Bagi aku, pengenalan itu cukup rencah dalam menggariskan apa yang ada dalam The Tudung Anthology. Apa value yang kita sepatutnya dapat setelah selesai membaca The Tudung Anthology.
"Because let's face it, every Muslim woman has been there countless times:
"Put it on"
"Take it off."
"Are you oppressed?"
"Don't you know it's compulsory?"
"Are you terrorist?"
"Is this the latest fashion trend now?"
"Did your husband tell you to wear it?"
"Is it hot?"
"Why do you wear it?"
Azalia Zaharuddin " ... this is not a religious book."
Aku setuju The Tudung Anthology bukan buku agama tapi sekurang-kurangya sebagai pembaca, aku sangat menghargai kehadiran Tudung Anthology. Perkongsian yang ditulis oleh semua penulis seolah-olah satu peringatan mesra untuk pembaca membuka mata dan minda dengan lebih meluas tentang persepsi berhijab, meraikan perbezaan.
Boleh dikatakan, aku suka hampir kesemua perkongsian pengetahuan dan pengalaman, cerita, komik tentang persepsi berhijab dalam The Tudung Anthology. Ia seolah-olah mengetuk pemikiran kita untuk lebih berfikir tentang beberapa perkara dan mendidik kita agar mempunyai pegangan dan prinsip sendiri.
Seseorang yang berada didalam ruang lingkup atau environment semua bertudung akan mempunyai pandangan dan persepsi berbeza dengan seseorang yang bergaul dengan indvidu tidak berhijab, separa berhijab, baru bermula untuk berhijab dan sebagainya.
"Because let's face it, every Muslim woman has been there countless times:
"Put it on"
"Take it off."
"Are you oppressed?"
"Don't you know it's compulsory?"
"Are you terrorist?"
"Is this the latest fashion trend now?"
"Did your husband tell you to wear it?"
"Is it hot?"
"Why do you wear it?"
Azalia Zaharuddin " ... this is not a religious book."
Aku setuju The Tudung Anthology bukan buku agama tapi sekurang-kurangya sebagai pembaca, aku sangat menghargai kehadiran Tudung Anthology. Perkongsian yang ditulis oleh semua penulis seolah-olah satu peringatan mesra untuk pembaca membuka mata dan minda dengan lebih meluas tentang persepsi berhijab, meraikan perbezaan.
Boleh dikatakan, aku suka hampir kesemua perkongsian pengetahuan dan pengalaman, cerita, komik tentang persepsi berhijab dalam The Tudung Anthology. Ia seolah-olah mengetuk pemikiran kita untuk lebih berfikir tentang beberapa perkara dan mendidik kita agar mempunyai pegangan dan prinsip sendiri.
Seseorang yang berada didalam ruang lingkup atau environment semua bertudung akan mempunyai pandangan dan persepsi berbeza dengan seseorang yang bergaul dengan indvidu tidak berhijab, separa berhijab, baru bermula untuk berhijab dan sebagainya.
February 17, 2018
Surprising. A range of voices from women who refused the tudung, embraced it, fought for the right to refuse or embrace it, and a couple of third parties looking in from the side. Like most anthologies, there are hits and misses. As a non-Muslim, the views from both sides were enlightening. A few pretty interesting fictional takes as well!
August 30, 2017
While a good start to putting together an anthology of female voices - in this instance, of the tudung - I was expecting more fiction than personal essays that were written in an almost bloggish manner. I would say I enjoyed half of the writers and their stories featured here, based on strength of the stories and style of writing.
Read
December 6, 2017Putting this on hold because I left the book at my cousin's house, ugh.
October 12, 2017
I knew about the book when Matahari Books announced an opening for submission and ever since, I was anticipated to read the book. 7th of October 2017 - I bought the book and I loved it!
Firstly - a notable feature I love about the book is the cover. It's design cover gave a contemporary and minimalist touch that I should give two thumbs up. Secondly, the book has many new voices!
The book captures significant stories that hint the experiences of women wearing tudung which is in my case, I have never been under the cover. Its stories are rich with a discussion on why do women wear tudung - challenging the notion that women wear tudung due to blindly following their religion or customs.
I generally love all stories but I'd love to highlight 4 stories here.
1. Aina Izzah's The Divide - a dystopian literature that tells a story of siblings separated by two separated spaces in Kuala Lumpur (behind the controlling eyes of Foundation and ITC).
2. Khadijah Khalid's Around the World in 80 Tudungs although it is not a travel writing, believe me, I was reading people's reaction on tudung from Sweden, USA, UK, Iran, and our homeland, Malaysia!
3. Steff Fleur's Rambut Medusa is my favourite! The metaphors and intertextuality between her ideas and Greek Mythology (and the snakes) are astonishing.
4. Alina Burner's Belum Muslim is a beautiful story. I thought that she was going to tell the readers how the character was belum muslim enough but the story ended with how she is to me, Muslim in her heart. It's beautiful.
There's no stopping you from going to the bookstores available in your town to pick up this book and buy it. I am happy with these voices - with it comes reasons and enlightening answers that keep us away from ignorance.
Firstly - a notable feature I love about the book is the cover. It's design cover gave a contemporary and minimalist touch that I should give two thumbs up. Secondly, the book has many new voices!
The book captures significant stories that hint the experiences of women wearing tudung which is in my case, I have never been under the cover. Its stories are rich with a discussion on why do women wear tudung - challenging the notion that women wear tudung due to blindly following their religion or customs.
I generally love all stories but I'd love to highlight 4 stories here.
1. Aina Izzah's The Divide - a dystopian literature that tells a story of siblings separated by two separated spaces in Kuala Lumpur (behind the controlling eyes of Foundation and ITC).
2. Khadijah Khalid's Around the World in 80 Tudungs although it is not a travel writing, believe me, I was reading people's reaction on tudung from Sweden, USA, UK, Iran, and our homeland, Malaysia!
3. Steff Fleur's Rambut Medusa is my favourite! The metaphors and intertextuality between her ideas and Greek Mythology (and the snakes) are astonishing.
4. Alina Burner's Belum Muslim is a beautiful story. I thought that she was going to tell the readers how the character was belum muslim enough but the story ended with how she is to me, Muslim in her heart. It's beautiful.
There's no stopping you from going to the bookstores available in your town to pick up this book and buy it. I am happy with these voices - with it comes reasons and enlightening answers that keep us away from ignorance.
February 4, 2023
*4.5
This is probably one of the most impactful reads I've read in a long time. It's beautiful, meaningful and eye-opening.
Seeing these amazing women's journey, views and relationships with their hijab touched me in ways I've never thought possible before. It made me want to have a better relationship with my tudung - understanding their woes and confidence in their hijab makes me realize how 'vague' my relationship with this piece of cloth is. I'm jealous of Hazreen's beautiful relationship with her hijab and eventually her understanding and passion of her role as a Muslim. It also made me realized how one views the hijab plays such a significant role in realizing one's role as a Muslim. A hijab is a responsibility and that piece of cloth is a reminder of that responsibility - not just our responsibility to cover our aurat, but other responsibilities as a muslim itself.
But it has also made me see how tudung has become an obstacle, a form of control or even a symbol of oppression to some women and it made me understand why some had such a hard and even hateful relationship with the hijab. It made me understand a bit more about the world and the people that I've never had the chance to interact with before.
Honestly, this was a good read.
Here are some of my favs and impactful (to me) ones;
The Thing On Our Head
The Divide
Fabricated
Shame
The Voyage
This is probably one of the most impactful reads I've read in a long time. It's beautiful, meaningful and eye-opening.
Seeing these amazing women's journey, views and relationships with their hijab touched me in ways I've never thought possible before. It made me want to have a better relationship with my tudung - understanding their woes and confidence in their hijab makes me realize how 'vague' my relationship with this piece of cloth is. I'm jealous of Hazreen's beautiful relationship with her hijab and eventually her understanding and passion of her role as a Muslim. It also made me realized how one views the hijab plays such a significant role in realizing one's role as a Muslim. A hijab is a responsibility and that piece of cloth is a reminder of that responsibility - not just our responsibility to cover our aurat, but other responsibilities as a muslim itself.
But it has also made me see how tudung has become an obstacle, a form of control or even a symbol of oppression to some women and it made me understand why some had such a hard and even hateful relationship with the hijab. It made me understand a bit more about the world and the people that I've never had the chance to interact with before.
Honestly, this was a good read.
Here are some of my favs and impactful (to me) ones;
The Thing On Our Head
The Divide
Fabricated
Shame
The Voyage
February 15, 2018
This book is a collection of short stories by local authors in Malaysia. Although I do not want to marginalize some contributors to the collection, I do find some stories appear to be self- defensive & self-justified as why they refuse to wear the tudung. The first half of the book was quite relatable but as it gets to the second half, the stories get abit a little disturbing, even challenging the rules/pillars of Islam.
But my fav of the lot is Wind & Sunshine by Ruzy Mohamed. I guess because her story is rather similar to mine, along with her school of thoughts.
But my fav of the lot is Wind & Sunshine by Ruzy Mohamed. I guess because her story is rather similar to mine, along with her school of thoughts.
July 23, 2018
As I am one of the writers featured in this anthology, this is an automatic 5 stars for me! I'm a little biased, just a tad.
Still, I did enjoy reading this very polarising anthology. I feel that the best way to approach this book is with an open mind without a fixed idea of what to expect. Editor Azalia Zaharuddin did not aim for a single uniformed message but a variety of diverse opinions and perspectives that really send the message home that hijabis and non-hijabis do not perceive the tudung in the same way. If you're going in thinking it would be a scholarly analysis of the Muslim women in Malaysian society, you will be disappointed. If you're going in thinking that this will be full of warm and optimistic stories about hijab-loving women, you will be disappointed. I appreciate that Azalia didn't cherrypick specific messages but let the entries chosen speak for themselves. While the book is usually categorised as non-fiction, there are also short stories, poems and even comic art.
There are some entries that stood out for me. I really enjoyed Aina Aizzah's short story "The Divide", showing a dystopian KL that is literally divided along religious lines. The North side of KL is ultra religious while the secular South side of KL bans tudung altogether. I really like the fascinating worldbuilding she has set up, although I wish there was more plot involved. Amanda Lim's "Nadia" is also incredibly fascinating since it is written by a non-Muslim and how her relationship with a Malay man made the tudung and tudung-wearers significant. In a book full of hijabis' personal perspective on the tudung, it's interesting to read an outsider's perspective of what tudung meant. In this entry, the tudung is a symbol of Malays, especially Malay women.
I applaud Masami Mustaza and Raja Ummi Nadrah for their entries as they are some of the few that openly reject wearing tudung and give a more critical perspective on Malaysian Muslims as a whole. I know that it takes a lot of courage to go against the tide in such a public manner, especially in a book dedicated to the topic about tudung and Muslims. Although I couldn't tell if "Fabricated" is autobiographical or not, the entry was obviously written from a very personal place. The journey of a woman struggling with religion, whether accepting it in her heart or adhering it for appearance's sakes, is a heartbreaking read. Ummi's entry hit closer to home because not only we both went to the same university but we have crossed paths several times years ago. So her recollection of her time in UIA brought some stark memories for me. Mainly the ultra-conservative environment and vocal male chauvinists shamelessly parading themselves as "da'i". I've worn the tudung since I was 11 and even I felt the environment of the campus was very stifling. To see Ummi struggled to relate to her peers and, worse of all, being chastised by some random righteous horndog is sad and infuriating. It is a stark reminder how the tudung does not always represent religious freedom or their beliefs but the beliefs of others imposed to another. While some may see these entries as shocking or unacceptable to be included in this anthology, I think these entries are necessary and give the topic a lot more depth.
But there are lighter moments in the book. I like reading Az Karim's "The Frenchman" which has a somewhat romantic vibe to it. A chance encounter between a hijabi and a French atheist led to some interesting conversations. It's light-hearted but it ended sooner than I thought! Another charming read is Ruzy Mohammed's "Wind and Sunshine" that is chock full of personality. It is a colourful non-fiction entry about Ruzy's journey into embracing the tudung and noticing the small differences and developments after becoming a hijabi. I think Ruzy's entry is a beautiful reminder that deciding to wear the hijab could be a life-altering experience that is positive and sweet when done consensually by the woman who is ready and willing.
Reading this anthology left me with a lot of feelings. Usually, when it comes to rating an anthology, I would say it is a "mixed bag" but for this book, it truly is a mixed bag! Whether you love or hate it, I am positive that this book will at least make you pause to think more about the tudung and the women who wear or choose not to wear them.
Still, I did enjoy reading this very polarising anthology. I feel that the best way to approach this book is with an open mind without a fixed idea of what to expect. Editor Azalia Zaharuddin did not aim for a single uniformed message but a variety of diverse opinions and perspectives that really send the message home that hijabis and non-hijabis do not perceive the tudung in the same way. If you're going in thinking it would be a scholarly analysis of the Muslim women in Malaysian society, you will be disappointed. If you're going in thinking that this will be full of warm and optimistic stories about hijab-loving women, you will be disappointed. I appreciate that Azalia didn't cherrypick specific messages but let the entries chosen speak for themselves. While the book is usually categorised as non-fiction, there are also short stories, poems and even comic art.
There are some entries that stood out for me. I really enjoyed Aina Aizzah's short story "The Divide", showing a dystopian KL that is literally divided along religious lines. The North side of KL is ultra religious while the secular South side of KL bans tudung altogether. I really like the fascinating worldbuilding she has set up, although I wish there was more plot involved. Amanda Lim's "Nadia" is also incredibly fascinating since it is written by a non-Muslim and how her relationship with a Malay man made the tudung and tudung-wearers significant. In a book full of hijabis' personal perspective on the tudung, it's interesting to read an outsider's perspective of what tudung meant. In this entry, the tudung is a symbol of Malays, especially Malay women.
I applaud Masami Mustaza and Raja Ummi Nadrah for their entries as they are some of the few that openly reject wearing tudung and give a more critical perspective on Malaysian Muslims as a whole. I know that it takes a lot of courage to go against the tide in such a public manner, especially in a book dedicated to the topic about tudung and Muslims. Although I couldn't tell if "Fabricated" is autobiographical or not, the entry was obviously written from a very personal place. The journey of a woman struggling with religion, whether accepting it in her heart or adhering it for appearance's sakes, is a heartbreaking read. Ummi's entry hit closer to home because not only we both went to the same university but we have crossed paths several times years ago. So her recollection of her time in UIA brought some stark memories for me. Mainly the ultra-conservative environment and vocal male chauvinists shamelessly parading themselves as "da'i". I've worn the tudung since I was 11 and even I felt the environment of the campus was very stifling. To see Ummi struggled to relate to her peers and, worse of all, being chastised by some random righteous horndog is sad and infuriating. It is a stark reminder how the tudung does not always represent religious freedom or their beliefs but the beliefs of others imposed to another. While some may see these entries as shocking or unacceptable to be included in this anthology, I think these entries are necessary and give the topic a lot more depth.
But there are lighter moments in the book. I like reading Az Karim's "The Frenchman" which has a somewhat romantic vibe to it. A chance encounter between a hijabi and a French atheist led to some interesting conversations. It's light-hearted but it ended sooner than I thought! Another charming read is Ruzy Mohammed's "Wind and Sunshine" that is chock full of personality. It is a colourful non-fiction entry about Ruzy's journey into embracing the tudung and noticing the small differences and developments after becoming a hijabi. I think Ruzy's entry is a beautiful reminder that deciding to wear the hijab could be a life-altering experience that is positive and sweet when done consensually by the woman who is ready and willing.
Reading this anthology left me with a lot of feelings. Usually, when it comes to rating an anthology, I would say it is a "mixed bag" but for this book, it truly is a mixed bag! Whether you love or hate it, I am positive that this book will at least make you pause to think more about the tudung and the women who wear or choose not to wear them.
May 1, 2020
A light read which relatable. Stories of tudung, shawl, hijab, baldi (?) whatever matters to cover the hair. I like that it voices out various topic according to women's struggle and perspectives about hijab-- question of one's faith and sincerity, skeptical perception/misjudgment and other's good/bad opinion.
'The Frenchman wanted me to take off my headscarf. Tell me the truth. Are you bald? Is that why you're wearing that? he asked." (The Frenchman, Az Karim)
"There was a battle going on in my heart, between the person desperately wanting to conform and the person desperately wanting to be her own person." (Fabricated, Masami Mustaza)
"Everyone has their own reason and conviction to justify their decision to embrace the hijab. You are welcome to pray for me, if you think it will help." (Unveiled, Raja Ummi Nadrah)
Some stories I wish a bit longer as I enjoyed it quite much-- Belum Muslim (Alina Burner), Rambut Medusa (Steff Fleur), Wind and Sunshine (Ruzy Mohamed) and Nadia (Amanda Lim).
A story of how it all begun, a narrative out of observation and self-conscious of one's morality or identity, some interracial stories also a pinch of Star Wars too. It'll make you think a bit, a vast view which I find adequately compelling.
"All of us have personality masks that we wear; but the true self, the inner core of our being, lies much deeper." (The Light and the Dark Side, Leela Chakrabarty)
Giving this 3.5 stars.
'The Frenchman wanted me to take off my headscarf. Tell me the truth. Are you bald? Is that why you're wearing that? he asked." (The Frenchman, Az Karim)
"There was a battle going on in my heart, between the person desperately wanting to conform and the person desperately wanting to be her own person." (Fabricated, Masami Mustaza)
"Everyone has their own reason and conviction to justify their decision to embrace the hijab. You are welcome to pray for me, if you think it will help." (Unveiled, Raja Ummi Nadrah)
Some stories I wish a bit longer as I enjoyed it quite much-- Belum Muslim (Alina Burner), Rambut Medusa (Steff Fleur), Wind and Sunshine (Ruzy Mohamed) and Nadia (Amanda Lim).
A story of how it all begun, a narrative out of observation and self-conscious of one's morality or identity, some interracial stories also a pinch of Star Wars too. It'll make you think a bit, a vast view which I find adequately compelling.
"All of us have personality masks that we wear; but the true self, the inner core of our being, lies much deeper." (The Light and the Dark Side, Leela Chakrabarty)
Giving this 3.5 stars.
December 10, 2017
It is hard to rate an anthology. I love The Divide, Around the world in 80 Tudungs and The Voyage.
October 31, 2018
I grew up in Terengganu, so seeing Malay women donning hijab is as natural as breathing - not exaggerating. As a non-Muslim, I never really asked myself questions about that piece of cloth. That was until I started working on hair care products marketing campaigns that required me to do a lot of research on hijab-wearing women, and of course, the rise of Vivy Yusof’s Muslim fashion domination in Southeast Asia. I started thinking - is this piece of cloth a sign of oppression or liberation? I’ve decided that it’s not my place to form any conclusion or opinion, and that it could be both - depending on the intention of wearing it.
If you are a non-Muslim and like me, ever had questions about hijab lingering in your head, I highly recommend this book. Not all pieces are enjoyable, I was perplexed by some short stories even; but the good ones? They are exceptional - including the editor’s strong introduction. These writers displayed strong vulnerability in their varied opinions on hijab, of which helped to add depth to my understanding.
I especially appreciate these three short stories/essays:
-
1. That Thing on Our Head - for introducing new perspectives.
“I am not a saint. Wearing this hijab seems to give those around me a sense that I am good and pious. I want to tell them: “Please, I am no different, I have my own struggles, do not put me on a pedestal - one that I definitely do not deserve.” Just as those who do not wear it struggle with wanting to wear it and bearing reasons why they do not wear it, the ones who wear it too struggle with having worn it, and ensuring we somehow do not degrade its purpose and meaning. The human being is as varied and as diverse as the color spectrum. Every heart bears its own intentions; every individual their hidden darkness, their revealed light.”
-
2. The Hijablantes - for its interesting plot.
“The hijab, a garb associated with modesty, courts controversy. The evil men of the Islamic world believe that wearing it will make women chaste and docile. Self-worth, they believe, can only exist by donning the hijab, and yet, it was clear that whatever value those women had for themselves was reduced to that of inanimate objects that were free to use, abuse and discard.”
-
3. Unveiled - for the writer’s piercing honesty.
“The only thing I totally reject when I’m out and about is the headscarf. It’s not so much about that piece of cloth itself, it’s the symbolism it carries; the very idea that I have to cover myself up to avoid sin, rape, slander or whatever harmful thing that an exposed square inch of a woman’s skin or a strand of her hair can do to society. It’s the idea that women have to be accountable for other people’s possible misconducts.”
“As long as it’s not against the law or harming others, you have every right to practice your beliefs. But when you start telling me what to do or what not to do with my life because of your beliefs, that’s when I have a problem with you.”
If you are a non-Muslim and like me, ever had questions about hijab lingering in your head, I highly recommend this book. Not all pieces are enjoyable, I was perplexed by some short stories even; but the good ones? They are exceptional - including the editor’s strong introduction. These writers displayed strong vulnerability in their varied opinions on hijab, of which helped to add depth to my understanding.
I especially appreciate these three short stories/essays:
-
1. That Thing on Our Head - for introducing new perspectives.
“I am not a saint. Wearing this hijab seems to give those around me a sense that I am good and pious. I want to tell them: “Please, I am no different, I have my own struggles, do not put me on a pedestal - one that I definitely do not deserve.” Just as those who do not wear it struggle with wanting to wear it and bearing reasons why they do not wear it, the ones who wear it too struggle with having worn it, and ensuring we somehow do not degrade its purpose and meaning. The human being is as varied and as diverse as the color spectrum. Every heart bears its own intentions; every individual their hidden darkness, their revealed light.”
-
2. The Hijablantes - for its interesting plot.
“The hijab, a garb associated with modesty, courts controversy. The evil men of the Islamic world believe that wearing it will make women chaste and docile. Self-worth, they believe, can only exist by donning the hijab, and yet, it was clear that whatever value those women had for themselves was reduced to that of inanimate objects that were free to use, abuse and discard.”
-
3. Unveiled - for the writer’s piercing honesty.
“The only thing I totally reject when I’m out and about is the headscarf. It’s not so much about that piece of cloth itself, it’s the symbolism it carries; the very idea that I have to cover myself up to avoid sin, rape, slander or whatever harmful thing that an exposed square inch of a woman’s skin or a strand of her hair can do to society. It’s the idea that women have to be accountable for other people’s possible misconducts.”
“As long as it’s not against the law or harming others, you have every right to practice your beliefs. But when you start telling me what to do or what not to do with my life because of your beliefs, that’s when I have a problem with you.”
July 26, 2018
This book is a compilation of opinions and stories by writers of various backgrounds revolving the topic of the tudung aka The Hijab. It is eye-opening and made me put things into perspectives after reading some theories, thoughts and real-life experiences of these women who are both Muslims and Non-Muslims.
My thoughts on some of the pieces:
Tudung Trials by G. Zachary- She quotes Nasr Abu Zayd(a scholar) saying that the aurat and the hijab are based on socia-cultural norms, are changeable and more from the Arab culture. Based on my understanding, the writer mentioned that the Malays are forgetting their Malay heritage by adopting the ways of the Arabs. I am baffled whether she means covering up and wearing the Hijab only pertains to the Arabs...
The Divide by Aina Izzah- Reading this was interesting as the writer depicts a future with two different divisions where in North KL there is the Islam-obeying way of life and rules and in South KL, the Hijab is totally banned as they see it as means of oppression. Though God forbid this actually happens in the future.
The Frenchman by Az Karim- I enjoyed reading this the most as there were hints of romance-to-be(despite a short piece). It was fun to read the arguments of the narrator regarding the tudung with this atheist French dude and his outlook on it.
Meaning by anonymous- Also my fav! I loved how beautiful the writing is and suprisingly it managed to provoke them tear ducts.
Belum Muslim by Alina Burner- My fav too. It was eye-opening having to read the thoughts of a Non-Muslim and her effort to learn to wear the Hijab before she decides to say the shahadah. And the knowledge she has about Islam when she corrected her mat salleh friends boldly.
All in all, everyone should definitely have a go on this to have multiple insights on the ever controversial issue in today's world particularly in Malaysia. Though bear in mind, dont take any 'facts' at face value and instead do some research of your own before you believe anything about Islam.
My thoughts on some of the pieces:
Tudung Trials by G. Zachary- She quotes Nasr Abu Zayd(a scholar) saying that the aurat and the hijab are based on socia-cultural norms, are changeable and more from the Arab culture. Based on my understanding, the writer mentioned that the Malays are forgetting their Malay heritage by adopting the ways of the Arabs. I am baffled whether she means covering up and wearing the Hijab only pertains to the Arabs...
The Divide by Aina Izzah- Reading this was interesting as the writer depicts a future with two different divisions where in North KL there is the Islam-obeying way of life and rules and in South KL, the Hijab is totally banned as they see it as means of oppression. Though God forbid this actually happens in the future.
The Frenchman by Az Karim- I enjoyed reading this the most as there were hints of romance-to-be(despite a short piece). It was fun to read the arguments of the narrator regarding the tudung with this atheist French dude and his outlook on it.
Meaning by anonymous- Also my fav! I loved how beautiful the writing is and suprisingly it managed to provoke them tear ducts.
Belum Muslim by Alina Burner- My fav too. It was eye-opening having to read the thoughts of a Non-Muslim and her effort to learn to wear the Hijab before she decides to say the shahadah. And the knowledge she has about Islam when she corrected her mat salleh friends boldly.
All in all, everyone should definitely have a go on this to have multiple insights on the ever controversial issue in today's world particularly in Malaysia. Though bear in mind, dont take any 'facts' at face value and instead do some research of your own before you believe anything about Islam.
March 9, 2018
I'm not surprised seeing that there are bad reviews of this book came from a few 'holier than thou' men and women. After all, some of them are hell bent on forcing and imposing us on donning the hijab. I honestly like this book because I can relate to some of the stories penned by these authors. It is a sort of self discovery journey, whether it's intentional or accidental or a little bit of both. Hijab or some might call it as "that thing on your head" and what exactly it meant to you? Regardless of how early or late you choose to wear it, It is always your choice. Although, that was not my case as I was forced into it but i made peace with it long time ago. Sure, some of the stories made you feel uncomfortable and might even oppose to your own idea of hijab but remember, this is their journey between them and God. Who are we to invalidate their journey? Let God be the judge of that.
My favorite would be these stories :
The voyage by Nurul Najwa Solehah
That Thing on our head by Erna Sharida
Unveiled by Raja Ummi Nadrah
The Divide by Aina Izzah
Fabricated by Masami Mustaza
The Hijabilantes also by Masami Mustaza
Tattoos and Tudung by Shaf Ghani
*I can feel the hijab/tudung struggle via their writing. I myself battle with it for few years.
My favorite would be these stories :
The voyage by Nurul Najwa Solehah
That Thing on our head by Erna Sharida
Unveiled by Raja Ummi Nadrah
The Divide by Aina Izzah
Fabricated by Masami Mustaza
The Hijabilantes also by Masami Mustaza
Tattoos and Tudung by Shaf Ghani
*I can feel the hijab/tudung struggle via their writing. I myself battle with it for few years.
November 18, 2017
This book is basically about tudung. There are 23 anthologies in it:
1) That Thing on Our Head by Erna Sharida-5/5
2) Tudung Trials by G. Zachary-3/5
3) The Divide by Aina Izzah-5/5
4) Much Ado About Tudung by Hezreen Abdul Rashid-5/5
5) Nadia by Amanda Lim-3/5
6) Around the World in 80 Tudungs by Khadijah Khalid-4/5
7) Fabricated by Masami Mustaza-2/5
8) Polka-Dotted Heaven by Angelina Bong-3/5
9) The Frenchman by Az Karim-4/5
10) Meaning by Anonymous-3/5
11) Belum Muslim by Alina Burner-5/5
12) Donning the Black Wool by Phoenix Li-4/5
13) Tattoos and Tudung by Shaf Ghani-3/5
14) Rambut Medusa by Steff Fleur-3/5
15) Wind and Sunshine by Ruzy Mohamed-5/5
16) Shame by Atikah Abdul Wahid-5/5
17) Puppeteers by Anusha VR-3/5
18) An Epiphany in Reverse by Adibah Abdullah-4/5
19) The Hijabilantes by Masami Mustaza-5/5
20) Unveiled by Raja Ummi Nadrah-3/5
21) The Light and the Dark Side by Leela Chakrabarty-2/5
22) A Blush of Womanhood by Mimi Salleh-5/5
23) The Voyage by Nurul Najwa Solehah-4/5
1) That Thing on Our Head by Erna Sharida-5/5
2) Tudung Trials by G. Zachary-3/5
3) The Divide by Aina Izzah-5/5
4) Much Ado About Tudung by Hezreen Abdul Rashid-5/5
5) Nadia by Amanda Lim-3/5
6) Around the World in 80 Tudungs by Khadijah Khalid-4/5
7) Fabricated by Masami Mustaza-2/5
8) Polka-Dotted Heaven by Angelina Bong-3/5
9) The Frenchman by Az Karim-4/5
10) Meaning by Anonymous-3/5
11) Belum Muslim by Alina Burner-5/5
12) Donning the Black Wool by Phoenix Li-4/5
13) Tattoos and Tudung by Shaf Ghani-3/5
14) Rambut Medusa by Steff Fleur-3/5
15) Wind and Sunshine by Ruzy Mohamed-5/5
16) Shame by Atikah Abdul Wahid-5/5
17) Puppeteers by Anusha VR-3/5
18) An Epiphany in Reverse by Adibah Abdullah-4/5
19) The Hijabilantes by Masami Mustaza-5/5
20) Unveiled by Raja Ummi Nadrah-3/5
21) The Light and the Dark Side by Leela Chakrabarty-2/5
22) A Blush of Womanhood by Mimi Salleh-5/5
23) The Voyage by Nurul Najwa Solehah-4/5
February 12, 2019
I am Phoenix Li, one of the contributors/authors.
I wrote the story under a pseudonym, because I suspected of the dangers of revealing my real name for a largely true tale. If you live in Malaysia, or know the socio-cultural climate well, you would know how unpopular my stated observations (fictitious or not) can be.
In fact, when I showed my story to a 50-something Chinese Malaysian female, who happened to be liberal with experience in local interracial romance, she told me, "wow, your story is quite dangerous."
I just want anyone who's considering to get this book, and those who have read it, to know that, as tame as it might seem to some of you, it's a very hard story to tell on my part (as a non-Muslim who wore a headscarf for a while, even if casually).
Most of all, please read with an open mind. The writers all have poured a lot of heart into the creation of this book.
It's easier to judge another person, when you have not or never walked in their shoes.
I wrote the story under a pseudonym, because I suspected of the dangers of revealing my real name for a largely true tale. If you live in Malaysia, or know the socio-cultural climate well, you would know how unpopular my stated observations (fictitious or not) can be.
In fact, when I showed my story to a 50-something Chinese Malaysian female, who happened to be liberal with experience in local interracial romance, she told me, "wow, your story is quite dangerous."
I just want anyone who's considering to get this book, and those who have read it, to know that, as tame as it might seem to some of you, it's a very hard story to tell on my part (as a non-Muslim who wore a headscarf for a while, even if casually).
Most of all, please read with an open mind. The writers all have poured a lot of heart into the creation of this book.
It's easier to judge another person, when you have not or never walked in their shoes.
February 26, 2018
I always find it nice hearing out other people's experiences, or beliefs, or stands on the 'tudung'. I believe everyone has each own's path on achieving that, whether early or late. The key is to always look on ourselves and take those steps either little or big :)
Why was I very interested on buying this book, was because I respect every woman's 'tudung' journey, and it's because my mum had a space for sharing her story in a book just like this one, some time ago. The book is called Bagaimana Akhirnya Saya Bertudung.
From all the authors in this book, there were about 8 to 9 stories which I was very touched, and had em bookmarked with coloured stickers. Interesting.
Why was I very interested on buying this book, was because I respect every woman's 'tudung' journey, and it's because my mum had a space for sharing her story in a book just like this one, some time ago. The book is called Bagaimana Akhirnya Saya Bertudung.
From all the authors in this book, there were about 8 to 9 stories which I was very touched, and had em bookmarked with coloured stickers. Interesting.
July 30, 2018
Nice 2 hour read. Really liked that it was a whole spectrum of voices and viewpoints and wasn’t just a one direction messaging avenue. Captures the complex relationship Malaysian Muslim (and non-Muslim) women have with the whole wearing hijab/not wearing hijab identity issue. Refreshing, open and honest takes. Also liked the writing quality. I’m always cautious about Malaysian authors (I know, biased) because a lot of the time there’s always a trying very hard aspect to their writing, and am not too sure about the fictional entries in the book, but this was really good overall.
September 3, 2018
This one was difficult to review because of the wide range of ideas and perspectives presented. It was somewhat refreshing to me coming from a non-Muslim background because I've always only been told politically-correct staple answers to the tudung adoption. I enjoyed the stories for their variety and mostly the ones with crazy metaphors/juxtapositions against something so normalized (yet underexplored!) in Malaysian society. No great literary feat but very niche central theme about the tudung in the context of Malaysians.
May 19, 2018
Utterly fascinating look into the inner lives of Muslim women from Malaysia and all over the place. The decision making and weighing of competing interests by Malay women is deeply complicated and conflicted. I found these voices refreshing and varied. Many women choose not to wear the tudung, but many others in this book do wear and wanted to write about those experiences.
An absolute must-read!
An absolute must-read!
August 5, 2018
A 2nd book from Matahari book that I’ve read . TBH , it took me quite sometime to finish the book. At first , I read it then DNF for a month and decided to read it again.
Seriously , the book was so good !!! Regret I DNF it earlier . The book compiled different stories / experiences from different people regarding tudung or known as hijab/scarf .
It is not a stories from a Muslim side only . But, there are also a stories/experiences from non-Muslim too .
Totally a good book for me . 😊
Seriously , the book was so good !!! Regret I DNF it earlier . The book compiled different stories / experiences from different people regarding tudung or known as hijab/scarf .
It is not a stories from a Muslim side only . But, there are also a stories/experiences from non-Muslim too .
Totally a good book for me . 😊
January 14, 2019
I personally love the book and the authors. They are a group of supportive women who have the courage to tell their own stories and life experiences in writing.
A good read to understand better the value of struggling and fighting in tudung or hijab wearing in daily life. Everyone has different POV of what and why we have to wear it but the nawaitu remains the same, which is to fulfill the religion obligations and please our god not people.
A good read to understand better the value of struggling and fighting in tudung or hijab wearing in daily life. Everyone has different POV of what and why we have to wear it but the nawaitu remains the same, which is to fulfill the religion obligations and please our god not people.
November 13, 2019
This book contains short stories from various writers on the concept of 'tudung'. The why, what, when, how or the why nots, the what t.f., the when will it be, the how to and so on so forth.
seems that they are mostly on explanations and justifications why they don't want to cover their hair etc. I did have a sliver of hope though that the one with the frenchman doesn't end too abruptly.
in the end, why did I feel mentally drained after reading this? was it the weather?
A 3.5 from me.
seems that they are mostly on explanations and justifications why they don't want to cover their hair etc. I did have a sliver of hope though that the one with the frenchman doesn't end too abruptly.
in the end, why did I feel mentally drained after reading this? was it the weather?
A 3.5 from me.
March 28, 2021
One story that got me mad was the Medusa hair. In the story, someone read "Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them" by JK Rowling. They mentioned a monster which was never in the book. It's shameful when writers do that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2018
Helps me a lot in my tudung journey
April 25, 2019
Mixed feelings on the book
September 17, 2019
I enjoyed some of the essays. The rest were mediocre.
It was a nice perspective though.
It was a nice perspective though.
February 4, 2020
Interesting opinions and perspective on the purpose of the headscarf (tudung).
October 28, 2019
Ok lah
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2020
This book is suitable for those who want unabridged insight to what it's like to be a person in pre-,post- or during hijab phase in life. It's amazing because some of these writers are not even professional authors yet their writing style is great. Some of the stories actually deserve to be expanded into novels. Highly recommended.
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