What is HijabMan To You?

by HijabMan :: posted 11 March 09

So, as I mentioned in a previous post, I have a mentor (thank God) who, to help me get over my irrational, worldly fears, calls me a chicken. This method has worked wonders, so far, but now it’s time to test it out :)

For now, HijabMan is mostly virtual. Two times per year, however, I leave my apartment and jump into the physical world by way of the ISNA and ICNA conventions. There, I don my balloon hat and sell to the masses of American Muslims.

While this has been a relatively comfortable set-up, I’m ready to make the leap into a sustained physical space. Cool, huh? A place where the HijabMan blog, persona, and ideals can call home. A place where YOU can call home.

The first step in this process is defining what HijabMan is. So, I’d like you to participate in an exercise that I am working on myself.

What is HijabMan to you, based on your knowledge of this blog, my persona, and their ideals?

This is a very important part of the process, and I’d be truly appreciative of your input. I promise that you will continue to be part of the process as (God-willing) the physical space materializes. Think of it this way, you get to design your ideal space for young Muslims (and others).

But first, what I’m asking you is to define HijabMan as you see it. So then we can begin the process of translating that into the real world.

Thanks again

Love,
Javed
‘HijabMan”

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1. Humaira at 11 March 09 :: #

   Ooh first comment! Hijabman to me is a nice guy, always with a smile on his face.

   Though I’ve never met you, I enjoy your blog for its funny and humorous content.

   Hijabman to me is a brand that I associate with integrity, trust, honesty and humor.

2. Susan at 11 March 09 :: #

   What an interesting question.
   Hijabman to me is the spirit of the law… the generous, bountiful, loving spirit, and not the letter of the law… the hard, unyielding letter. Erring on the side of mercy and humanity. Trying to teach us to laugh at our flaws, not castigate ourselves and others for them. Living with a fullness of spirit, purpose and intent, not rote lip-service.

3. ieatsamosa at 11 March 09 :: #

   hijabman is a quirky, upbeat guy. he loves to see the best in life and experience the world as it its. hes a role model who is ambitious and generous to all. hes the type of guy to give you smile on a rainy day :)

4. HijabMan at 11 March 09 :: #

   Suggestion: Forget me as hijabman, think of hijabman as an ‘idea’ rather than a person. :)

   thanks

5. Anjum at 12 March 09 :: #

   hijabman is willing to be different, though, perhaps.. too willing at times. hijabman inspires openness between people, somehow creating connections and good will where there was none (or it was buried deep). hijabman helps people have fun with their beliefs, and that makes them stronger.

   i dont know yet how to translate that concretely to a hangout/cafe, but i’m definitely down for being a part of it & helping you get there.

6. Maura at 13 March 09 :: #

   HijabMan is a refuge from the judgmental, missing-the-point-legalism and exclusivity found in most other online Muslim communities. It a place to bring one back to the heart of faith and also to connect one’s religion to daily life. It is a welcoming place, where unconventional ideas can be considered, where justice doesn’t just have to do with heaven and hell, but with our responsibility to bring justice and good community to this world. It a place where one’s foibles are not sneered at but where one can gather strength to overcome them. It is a place where music and art and quirkiness and humor are valued. It is the kind of place where you wish you could stay forever, but since you can’t hide from the problems of life, you can instead come to HijabMan and get a dose of sanity and hope and lightness to sustain you as you go out and touch the world again.

7. lozah at 15 March 09 :: #

   I really feel like HijabMan reflects the idea that American Muslims are creating a unique Islamic culture that embraces moderation, diversity, coexistence, non-violent activism, questioning, spirituality, and love of life.

   For me, HijabMan is the voice of neither the extremists nor the moderates, but rather those passionate about moderation.