I'm a muslim woman who wears a head scarf. How will I be treated if I visited the USA?

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Fogjazz49-Retired

That depends on where you visit, and who you see.

I wish I could tell you that all Americans are uniformly educated, open-minded, courteous and non-discriminatory toward muslims and members of other ethnic groups, but we both know that is not true. The same is true when Americans visit other countries... we encounter many individuals with different biases and philosophies and standards of conduct, and will experience many different reactions. To generalize would be unfair to the people and the country on either side.

You can control this to some extent by choosing the places you visit very carefully. You will probably encounter less prejudice and ignorance in the more politically liberal areas of the country (west coast and new england states), areas around major universities, and the more upscale parts of sophisticated cities. Unfortunately there is no guarantee anywhere that you won't run into some redneck who gives you a hard time, but please know that you will also have a lot of sympathetic support from other Americans if that happens.

Please do come and visit. The more we have friendly contacts between muslim and American cultures, the more we can educate people on both sides and build positive relationships to overcome the hate and violence.

mick j

you will be treated just like everybody else. welcomed and treated kindly.

patch168283

In most civilized places here in the US, like the mid-sized towns up to the larger cities especially in metro areas where there are several large cities together, you will be treated just the same as everyone else. In the area I live in I have seen several women that wear head scarves and as far as I can tell they do not get bothered about there choice of clothing no matter why they wear it. You might still get questions as to why you where one and you might even get people telling you that it is not necessary to wear one now that you are in the US, but you will be treated just fine. In smaller towns in the middle of no where however you might more stares and more questions. And depending on the region you might get stupid people mocking you, but usually only in very small, out of the way, towns that are very religious and christian that don't understand why you where a head scarf. But do not be afraid to visit the USA, it is a very wonderful place.

MEEP

You should with no question or doubt be treated in a manner by others that is welcoming and helpful to new comers of the USA regardless of what you wear or how you look. Unfortunately, in a society and world with human beings and free will, that can be a tall order to fill.

Jeffrey

Everyone has his own believes, I'm not a Muslim but I don't think it will effect

Jenny

I don't think there will be prejudice, but it may also depend on where you go. I see a few women who wear a head scarf and all that, I am curious, but I don't make it an issue. I treat them just the same that I treat everyone else. So that is what is most likely to happen- you will be treated the same as everyone else.

jaqualine b

People will leave you alone.
Depending on your interpretation of this act, you will feel ignored or enjoy the consideration of letting you enjoy your own space and religion

newischk

i dont know about other people, but as long as you dont try to give us another primary language, or hate us christians who were here before the hispanics who dont want to learn our language, so that everytime you try to read an instruction manual you cant find the english, i will be fine with your visit, but be carefull, some other people might try to hurt you. so lay low, i would love to travel the world to learn about other religions, hey, how are we supposed to know who is right or wrong, i say let them believe in what ever they want, as long as they speek english, i wont have a problem with them visiting America.
-good luck, hope you have a great visit to our country!!
NEWISCHK

londres

depends upon your family background.

KMP

the US is a country of very diverse people. we all have different backgrounds, religions, and many of us have come from other countries. in many countries, you have to prove yourself to be accepted. in this country, you have to do something bad, to not be accepted.
for the most part, people here judge others as individuals, not as members of groups. for the most part, prejudices are perceived, rather than real. of course...there are always exceptions :-(

Ten Kenorland

It depends on where you go in the USA. If you visit large cities in states with large populations, the people are used to living with more varied cultures and are more tolerant. If you visit Muskogee, Oklahoma it may be a different story.

I have found Muslim women with head scarves have a stereotype put on them, but not the same as other ethnic people. I feel it is one of calm, demure and other non-threatening attributes.

So, prejudice, yes, but it may not be offensive to you. It may be an annoyance.

I think you will be treated with respect. Some will shy away for fear of embarrassing themselves by offending you. Some more militant pro-women's rights people may try to help free you from what they see as your oppression.

I'm curious, where do you plan to visit? Are you deciding weather or not to -- or where from answers to your question?

Emmanuel Goldstein

Americans won't discriminate against you. Having been a few times I think you'll find they are equally rude to all nationalities.

Lea M

probably not but some people might stare probably b/c they have never seen something like that before but you will not be hated against!!

july11_rip_onion

Not by people who are worth your caring about... if they are smarter than the average dog they will have no problem with you...also shame on you for expecting prejudice...that is going to get you more prejudice...if you expect it then it will be much more hurtful when you receive prejudice...don't worry what others think..also...i think your question is made up...if it is...then I wonder what your problem is...

nadastar

Most places in the U.S. are pretty urban and the people are tolerant of different cultures. America is, after all, the great "melting pot." The only time I can imagine that you would have a problem is if you were visiting very rural areas where people can sometimes be suspicious of outsiders. Oh - and you may get a little extra attention from airport security, but everyone does nowdays. The truth is, you will attract less attention because you are a woman. If you were a man in full traditional garb, you might encounter more problems.

concernedmom

I don't beleive you. You seem to be an American woman only curious to see what others would answer. Shamefully You got alot of innocent answers from people all over the USA

haya

no you will treat like any other women, In America, they don't have any differences between the Muslim women or the Christine women.

cutiepie81289

probably

Gartenzwerg

honestly.....I would say it depends on where in the country you go.
I dont think any one will physically harm you, but you may get a lot of stares.

Romeo

The Americans do not care about anyone! Everyone is free to wear whatsoever they please!

naj3032

you should be ok. there are lots of women over here that wear scarfs on their heads.

fuad_enjoy

just ask one person , his highness mr, george bush, , he is the right one to answer u diplomatically, , , else all will say thay dont care, , , , , ,, and beware of the guantanamo, mr,bush's personal zoo

Hey, Beautiful;-)

I'm a black women in America and there are still prejudices against me, so yes, there will be prejudices. People hate what they fear and what they don't understand.

carolinagrl

I really depends on where you're going. If you're visiting NYC, then you have nothing to worry about, but if you're visiting Charleston, SC., then you might get some stares. Personally, I dont think you should wear it at all. I'm sure you are a beautiful woman and its a shame that you've been convinced to cover yourself.

AsianPersuasion :)

It probably depends on where you visit. I live in Chicago and have lived in Dallas and it wasn't uncommon to see women wearing them there, no one seemed to notice or care.

jeezmeneti66

People won't throw stones at you but deep down inside there will be some wishing you went back where you came from.

psd1941

Of course no prejudice. After all every one has the right to live in his/her own life style, particularly, if his/her culture demands so. You need not get perplexed. No inferiority complex should be there.

intelligentaphrodite

A lot depends on where you are visiting. Some people will be prejudice against you, but some people are just that way. Some people may look, and they make think "Why does she feel the need to wear that here in America? She doesn't have to." But you will be respected by most people because that is what America is about: Freedom. Freedom to wear what you want, practice the religion you want, and be the person you are.
I hope you will come and visit America and hold your head high and know that you will be welcomed.

chairman_of_the_bored_04

I couldn't really say because I don't know where in the US you're going, but in most larger cities, people would pay little attention. I see women almost everyday wearing a Hijab or Khimar and they get nary a look.

Now, when you're interacting with people, I would hope they would treat you well, but with the current state of things, your chances are probably 50/50 that some folks may be rude...

Rotifer

They may do, you can never predict how people will react. Certainly many western women see the headscarf on Muslim women as a sign of Muslim women being brainwashed/suppressed OR a sign of shoving your religion down their throat. I'm not aware of my Malaysian friend getting abuse because of her headscarf, but then I haven't seen her since the 7/7 London bombings. I think most people will be OK in the USA, like Britain, but you may get the odd person venting their animosity.

baldyhugsblues

i notice a lot of women just like yourself

but it makes no difference to me or most other people

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