British Muslim women attending the UK's largest Islamic convention have expressed deep concerns after a survey revealed half of Britons believe Muslim women are pressured into wearing the hijab. The findings emerged as the annual Jalsa Salana concluded at Oakland Farm in Alton, Hampshire, drawing more than 40,000 participants from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community worldwide.
A YouGov poll commissioned by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community found that 49% of respondents believe "most British Muslim women who wear a hijab do so because they feel pressured by their family or community". The results prompted strong reactions from Muslim women at the convention, who described the findings as disappointing and insulting.
NHS doctor challenges misconceptions
Munazzah Chou, a 40-year-old ophthalmologist working for the NHS, said she was "very disappointed, but maybe not altogether surprised" by the survey results. She described the scale of the misconceptions as "quite eye-opening" given the significant proportion of people who hold these views.
"The misconceptions about Muslim women in particular are slightly insulting toward the intellectual capacity of Muslim women," Chou said. She drew parallels with her medical practice, explaining that patients often make treatment choices doctors wouldn't recommend, yet she never assumes they're being coerced.
Personal choice defended strongly
Chou emphasised that her decision to wear the hijab stems purely from religious belief. Referring to the 20,000 women attending the convention, she said each would have a different journey towards wearing their hijab, but all would confirm it's not a coercive practice.
"They've done it out of personal choice, and all from possibly slightly different, nuanced reasons - but all out of free will," she explained. The comments highlight the frustration many Muslim women feel about having their autonomy questioned.
Repeated conversations cause fatigue
Syeda Ahmad, 23, said the polling results made her feel as though Muslim women "keep having to have the same conversations and make the same points over and over again". She stressed that Muslim women are "fully thinking human beings" capable of making their own choices.
"I feel like the results are maybe a reflection of a certain kind of attitude towards Muslim women that is more concerned with telling us how we feel and what we need, as opposed to asking us," Ahmad said. Her comments reflect broader concerns about external assumptions being imposed on Muslim women's experiences.
Ban concerns amid political debate
University student Unaizah Ahmad, 25, expressed concern that such attitudes might influence calls for hijab bans. She noted that her hijab and religious practice are entirely her own choice, with no coercion or pressure involved.
The comments come after Reform deputy leader Richard Tice called for a "national debate" on banning the burka in June. This followed internal party tensions when former chairman Zia Yusuf resigned after describing questions about burka bans as "dumb".
European restrictions highlight concerns
Syeda Ahmad warned that projecting prejudices and assumptions onto Muslim women represents one of the worst approaches for those genuinely concerned about their wellbeing. She pointed to research from other European countries showing that hijab and burka bans only serve to alienate Muslim women.
"It restricts them from places of education. It restricts them from places of work," she said. Face-covering clothes are currently banned in seven European countries including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and Bulgaria.
Britain's approach praised
Ahmad praised Britain for avoiding such restrictions, noting this allows Muslim women to work confidently across all professions. She emphasised that religion remains personal, with individuals deciding how far they want to follow their faith.
"There's no punishment for not wearing a hijab in Islam," she explained. "Crucially, Islam allows you to make a personal choice." A spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said the survey results "highlight a persistent misunderstanding about Islamic teachings on modesty and women's choices".
Broader immigration attitudes revealed
The YouGov survey of 2,130 adults in Great Britain also examined attitudes towards different immigrant groups by religion. While 41% said Muslim immigrants have a negative impact on the UK, the proportions were much lower for other religious groups.
Just under a quarter of respondents felt Muslim immigrants had a positive impact on the UK, lower than for any other religion stated in the survey. The findings suggest broader challenges around public perceptions of Muslim communities in Britain.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
