People think that if you’re veiled, someone must have pushed you: the most important thing about the life of Muslim women in modern Moscow

The author of this material practices Islam since birth and was already wearing a hijab when I joined the ranks of the news department about a year ago when I became a part of The Fashion Vibes. And although at first none of my colleagues asked questions (they even found a place to pray for me), they nevertheless appeared later on, and after at least half an hour of discussion, this material turned out to be about everyday life. is the number of Muslim women in a modern city. The publication of our article coincided with the first day of the fast of Ramadan. During this period, we avoid water and beverages during the day.

Frankly, for as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to prove that we’re “like everyone else,” but it seems it’s time to breathe – as life shows, people are different and that’s normal. I talked about this and much more with the heroes of this material: Talk to me project psychologist Asiya Kozhakova, make-up artist and editor friend Diana Kasterova, stylist and founder of the Annurclothes brand Karolina Pavlovskaya. How can I and all of them succeed in following Muslim values ​​in Moscow?

To begin with, some statistics: in Moscow, according to the 2021 data of Ildar Alyautdinov, the chief imam of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, more than 13 million people live, of which Muslims – from three to three and a half million.

For example, is it too much for mosques to appear in shopping malls, restaurants in Moscow to offer alternative halal meat, and for people to accept what the city center is like twice a year on Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr? Is it closed and full of people praying? I do not know, but it is certain that Muslims should also contribute to all this.

Stereotypes and hijab

If the heroine of the article, Assiya, was born in Islam, like me, then Diana Kasterova, for example, was brought to religion by her husband – a common story, do you agree? Some may think that girls converted to Islam for the sake of a man, but this is not so, and Diana says: “People, if you cover up, then someone forced you into it, it’s not your voluntary step. It makes me laugh a lot.”

However, Muslim women are not alien to stereotypes and, as a rule, our appearance attracts special attention.

Karolina Pavlovskaya, designer and founder of the Annurclothes brand

“I immediately understood what the problem was: if the girl looks happy, smart and rich, then the police will not approach her.”

“The higher your status, the less complaints you have – I quickly learned this lesson and changed my image,” says Karolina Pavlovskaya. At the same time, as Asiya Kozhakova adds, she does not see any pressure from the public because of her headscarf: “For example, if I order dessert, the waiters might say there is a spoonful of brandy in it,” she laughs.

“If a girl is covering up, she doesn’t have to prove anything to this world. He covered himself because he wanted to fulfill another duty towards Almighty Allah. My life is not divided into before and after – for me it is natural, ”adds Asiya Kozhakova. He also tells me that Muslims in modern society are often quite idealized:

Asiya Kozhakova, psychologist Talk to me

“It seems to everyone that we are great beings who never sin, do not repent, and always pray. I mean we are people like you.

Work

“I work with designers and models in fashion shoots. Who would tell me what? “Although I remember that they were able to look at me sideways, even though I literally did not understand all the rules of the game in the first week,” says Karolina. “I work with pretty well-known people and no one has told me anything. However, when they asked me if I was doing this for religious reasons, Diana Kasterova shares her experience with Svetlana Bondarchuk, Kamila Valieva and other stars on her client list.

Makeup artist Diana Kasterova

In fact, if the headscarf had previously prevented employment, now it seems that she only asks the employer in exceptional circumstances, and Karolina confirms my thoughts:

“In our tolerant modern times, the hijab is no longer a barrier to work anywhere.”

“When they tell me they can’t get a job in insurance, I think to myself: ‘Here’s a hypocrite and lazy person. It seems to me that they lack insight in life and will find another explanation for why they are not successful in their careers even if they don’t wear headscarves.”

beauty

Muslim women are very careful about cosmetic procedures – Islam requires not to change the appearance and, for example, to refuse varnish, as it prevents the contact of water with the nails and, consequently, the ablution necessary for prayer. “I had the experience of visiting a Muslim salon. I didn’t have enough fashion, so I didn’t want to get a second haircut with them,” says Carolina, adding that she only uses “expensive cosmetics” and does not resort to procedures.

“I think the lack of borders is the main problem of Muslim salons,” says Asiya. We are a Muslim Ummah (congregation – Note. ed.), as if brothers and sisters, and you responded.

Material

In modern fashion, there is the concept of “modest fashion” – modest clothing, which is associated with Muslim. “I’m into my clothes (I’m talking about my own brand, Annurclothes – Note. ed.). “And I dress largely not for myself, but for people — to make them treat me right,” says Carolina. – More than anything, I like to wear a jersey skirt with black long sleeves. I would walk like this every day but people need impressions and you have to defend your wages in the work of a stylist.

Diana also admits that she doesn’t buy anything from Muslim stores other than ski masks and scarves. From where? “It is difficult to find such clothes in them that will help to show your individuality, emphasize the style. If you think about it, they’re all the same.”

“Young girls still dress more in casual stores, only to find things that cover the awrah (the body part that Muslims should cover in front of other people). Note. ed.) and mix. No, I don’t have any difficulties because I actually buy all the clothes from ordinary stores,” he added. Diana nevertheless stated that she knows a few Muslim brands. “Yes, I would like to emphasize that there are cool Muslim clothes, for example, the Arapkhanovi brand, but the price there is above the average … And unfortunately not everyone can afford to buy a skirt for 10,000 rubles, well, objectively.”

restaurants

It is no secret that Muslims eat halal meat produced in accordance with Islamic standards. “National cuisine is given great importance in Muslim businesses. As a rule, there is no most pleasant smell, the interior is usually … How elegantly expressed, very atmospheric, authentic ”says Diana.

“If I have the choice of going to Chaikhana or getting hungry, I will choose to go hungry.”

“If you still want to go to this level of soot (We are talking about the White Rabbit, Sakhalin – Note. ed.), I will order as much fish, seafood as I can make myself,” he added.

And Asia does not face such difficulties in the city. “I’ve never had a problem with food. I like delicious food and fortunately there are many restaurants in Moscow that provide halal meat,” he says.

Social media

Hijab means a closed lifestyle and modesty, but the modern world imposes different rules on us. “I associate the publication of personal photos with intent. I think if all Sharia norms are followed in clothing, why not? Perhaps this contributes to some kind of dynamics in a person’s life. Social networks help me express myself, express myself about what happened to me on my way, ”explains Asiya Kozhakova.

Carolina, however, opposes the opposite: “You can’t post personal photos, bend your back and take a picture of your silhouette, or even turn around. It seems to me that all this, of course, has consequences (for example, correspondence or meetings with men and other situations that Islam does not approve of – Note. ed.)”.

communication with men

“I have male colleagues with whom I have excellent relationships: we exchange experiences, we fill each other, I learn a lot from them. It seems to me that this helps to feel more free – the fear of men disappears. You communicate with them, you become friends and you see that they are the same people. It’s important to follow physical and verbal boundaries,” says Asiya.

By the way, there is a similar situation for Karolina Pavlovskaya: “As part of my job, I interact with men.

As for other communication, I never trusted them and did not want to be “someone’s wife”. And with the introduction of Islam into my life, nothing has changed in that sense.

I’ve had marriage experience, glad it’s over.”

It should be noted that the Islamic world is no longer as exciting as it used to be. People no longer get off the subway when they see a woman wearing a headscarf, they are not surprised that she can not only become a mother but also start a business, and Muslim women are not afraid to express themselves and their world. It is not limited to daily life. Finally, we don’t need to prove anything – it’s enough, because there’s enough room for everyone.

Photo: Bella Mizhayeva