THE majority of Muslim women in Malaysia wear the hijab not because they want to but because of the need to look modest and avoid negative perception, a study found.

In a survey conducted by Sisters in Islam, 80% of 675 respondents all across the country between the ages of 18 and 55 agreed that they struggled to fulfil society’s expectations.

On the projected image of Muslim woman, 59% of respondents said are publicly shamed and morally judged by their appearance.

The survey found that 90% of the interviewees concurred that the hijab is a must for all Muslim women.

“However, there are different opinions where 73% of them believed that Muslim women can still be seen as modest although not wearing the hijab.” said the survey report Perceptions and Realities: The Public and Personal Rights of Muslim Women in Malaysia, released today.

The report said 49% also agreed that one could still be a good Muslim if one did not perform the prayers.

The report stated that Muslim women are conditioned since early childhood to fulfll the demands of society.

“The majority of the respondents stated their experiences growing up under pressure with the perception that as female Muslims, they have to be good and wear appropriate outfits to uphold the family image.”

The survey found that 78% of the women interviewed said their parents were overprotective, 75% felt they were not given the freedom to decide, while 70% said they might be accused of misbehaving if they did not listen and 68% stated that their parents refuse to allow them to be independent. – October 15, 2019.