What should I do if I'm harassed for wearing hijab?
Put your safety first, then report it. Move away from the person, get help from people nearby or staff, and report the incident to the police or a hate-crime service once you're safe. You did nothing wrong by wearing hijab, and you don't have to answer abuse with abuse.
In the moment: stay safe
- Don't argue. Your goal is to get home safely, not to win the exchange. Walk away calmly toward a busy, well-lit place.
- Get people involved. Speak to a bus driver, shop staff, security or a passer-by. Harassers usually back off when others are watching.
- Call for help if you feel threatened. In an emergency call 999 (UK), 911 (USA) or 112 (most of Europe).
- Never fight over your scarf. If someone grabs it, protecting your body matters more than holding on to the fabric.
Afterwards: record and report
Write down what happened while it's fresh: time, place, what was said, a description of the person, and any witnesses. Note CCTV cameras nearby. Then report it. In the UK you can call 101 or report online, and Tell MAMA records anti-Muslim incidents. In the USA, report to the police and to CAIR. Most European countries have online hate-crime reporting too. Reporting helps even when nobody is caught, because it shows where the problem is and gets more resources to fix it.
If it happens at school or work, tell the school or HR in writing as well. Harassment for religious dress is against the law in the UK, the EU and the USA. See What if my school bans the hijab?
How Islam asks you to respond
Islam doesn't ask you to stay silent about injustice, but it does ask you to keep your dignity. The Prophet ﷺ said that the strong person is not the one who wrestles others down, but the one who controls himself when angry (Sahih al-Bukhari 6114). A calm answer, or no answer at all, is strength.
This doesn't mean you must be friendly with someone who threatens you. It means you don't let their hate change who you are.
Look after your heart
Being targeted can leave you shaken for days. Talk to a friend, a sister at the mosque or a counsellor, and make dua. Feeling afraid to go out again is normal. If you're thinking about how to keep wearing hijab with confidence, see What if I'm scared to wear hijab in public? And if the harasser repeated common myths, Is hijab a sign of oppression? may help you put words to your answer next time.
- Safety first: walk away, get others involved, call for help.
- Write everything down and report it as a hate incident.
- Calm self-control is a strength in Islam.
- Get support afterwards; fear is a normal reaction.
People also ask
Can Muslim men wear tank tops?
Yes, Muslim men can wear tank tops at the gym or in hot weather, as shoulders aren't awrah, but they should cover their shoulders in prayer.
Read the full answer →Can Muslim women wear jumpsuits?
Yes, Muslim women can wear jumpsuits if they are loose, opaque and long-sleeved. Tips on layering, plus wudu, toilet and prayer in a jumpsuit.
Read the full answer →Can Muslim men go shirtless?
Muslim men can go shirtless at home, the pool or the beach, since a man's awrah is navel to knee. But cover your shoulders when you pray.
Read the full answer →Can Muslim women follow workout videos by male trainers?
Yes, Muslim women can generally follow workout videos by male trainers, if there's no desire, the trainer dresses decently and music is muted.
Read the full answer →Is hijab only for married women?
No, hijab isn't only for married women. In Islam it starts at puberty, not marriage, and applies to single, married, divorced and widowed women.
Read the full answer →