A question about hijabs and other head coverings

codemonkey

I've recently been diagnosed with a medical condition that causes extremely severe facial nerve pain. One of my triggers is cold air, particularly around my ears and side of my face.

I live in Scotland, so without uprooting my entire existence and moving to a hot country, I can't avoid it. At the moment, I'm wearing a hoodie with the hood up, but that doesn't really do it in the workplace and it strikes me that wearing a hijab might be a practical solution. I've asked some of my Muslim friends and they say it's ok, but I wanted a range of wider opinions. Is it ok to wear one of these if I'm not a Muslim? I really don't want to offend anyone.

tea_lover

My initial thought would be how would anyone (Muslim or otherwise) know what religion (or not) you are, iyswim? You may get some people assume you are Muslim because you're wearing one, but surely that wouldn't offend anyone anyway.

Hope you find something that works.

codemonkey

tea_lover wrote: »

My initial thought would be how would anyone (Muslim or otherwise) know what religion (or not) you are, iyswim? You may get some people assume you are Muslim because you're wearing one, but surely that wouldn't offend anyone anyway.

Hope you find something that works.

You make an excellent point. Clearly
too many painkillers=codemonkey asking stupid questions.

Actually, I'll extend the question - if anyone can think of any stylish methods of covering my head that wont result in me being arrested if I need to go to the bank (balaclava or tights), please help. A hat wont do the job as it wont come low enough.

[Deleted User]

What about a balaclava? That'd be warmer.. Or, a decent scarf?

mildredalien

Ultimately, a hijab is a scarf/material worn as a head covering and which has significance for Muslims. What would the problem be with wearing a scarf around your head in a similar style, you don't actually have to wear a 'hijab' if that makes sense...

Fuzzy_Duck

The way I see it, as a non-Muslim, you would simply be wearing a head scarf.

I wear one on occasion for warmth or to keep my hair dry and I've never worried about looking Muslim/offending anyone so I say go ahead! It'll probably look a lot less like a hijab if you go for bright colours/patterns and more luxurious fabrics.

Fuzzy_Duck

codemonkey wrote: »

Actually, I'll extend the question - if anyone can think of any stylish methods of covering my head that wont result in me being arrested if I need to go to the bank (balaclava or tights), please help. A hat wont do the job as it wont come low enough.

Also, as an alternative, I'd suggest a snood. Much easier to wear then a head scarf and warmer too!

Dumbe

I don't see any problem at all.

If its your sides of face and ears I imagine it would work well for what you want..

But the hijab is only a long rectangular scarf wrapped in a special way. To do what you I think want to cover your ears wrapping in this style would be effective..

There are lots on online instructions on how to do it.. Plus the online stores sell things like plastic covered type pins and clips to help hold in place and sort of fabric bandana type things that are made to wear under the scarf , which would I think add to the warmth and helps keep in place

Also you can get in lots of pretty colours ( often the fabric from scarves made for using as a hijab is less slippery then a normal scarf making it easier to keep in place.

Not sure where you are in Scotland but I think Glasgow has some ladies shops that sell that sort of thing..

I would suggest you go shopping with one of your Muslim friends who even if they don't wear it regularly would be able to help you with ways of tying it bUt the girls in the shop would also be happy to heLp
you experiment with styles

Birdie85

How about one of these?!

I don't see why anyone would see a problem with you wearing a headscarf, it doesn't have to be a hijab, just a scarf keeping your head warm!

Sorry about the crummy condition you have too.

elsien

What about a buff, would that work? The ones people use for walking and outdoorsy type stuff. They come on a variety of fabrics and patterns and can be worn in a multitude of ways.

http://www.buffwear.co.uk/buff-headwear

plus handy hints on how to wear them.
http://www.buffshop.co.uk/acatalog/how_to_wear_your_buff.html

codemonkey

Birdie85 wrote: »

How about one of these?!

I don't see why anyone would see a problem with you wearing a headscarf, it doesn't have to be a hijab, just a scarf keeping your head warm!

Sorry about the crummy condition you have too.

That viking one is awesome!!

Some great ideas on this thread so far, thanks so much. I can see I'm going to spend a fortune on head coverings this winter.