This catchy rap music video by a pregnant hijabi is going viral

Music video stars an eight-month-pregnant Mona Hayder and a group of diverse veiled women


News Desk April 01, 2017
Hayder raps about wearing the hijab, Islamophobic comments and women all over the world. PHOTO: YOUTUBE SCREENGRAB

Mona Hayder's rap video is celebrating Muslim women who wear the headscarf.

The 28-year-old Syrian-American lives in New York. Known for her activism, her music video called 'Hijabi' stars an eight-month-pregnant Hayder and a group of diverse veiled women dancing and singing along to the rap.

Muslim teen becomes first to don hijab in US beauty pageant

Hayder raps about wearing the hijab, Islamophobic comments and women all over the world.

The lyrics talk about questions that hijabis often get asked. The lyrics go: "What that hair look like? Bet that hair look nice. Don't that make you sweat? Don't that feel too tight?"

The video, which was revealed on Muslim Women's Day, received a mixed response. People started using the hashtag #hijabiXmona to show support.

Some, however, claimed it contradicted Islamic values.

Speaking to BBC, Hayder said, "I'm only interested in growing a more kind and loving world and that is my goal and intention with any and all the work I do."

One woman commented on the video, saying it made her feel "gracious, empowered, and loved". Others added that the video was "dope" and "slay".

Nike unveils Pro Hijab for Muslim athletes

However, one labelled the video as "extremely disturbing and wrong on every level... hijab is not only a piece of cloth on our head but every action we undertake should embody hijab and piety."

Commenting on some people's shock that she was pregnant in the video, Hayder said: "Why is it so shocking for a pregnant woman to continue living her own life while growing new life inside her? As a woman who believes that all bodies are good and beautiful, it brings me joy to dismantle the societal structures which try to dictate to women what our bodies should look like."

The music video can be seen below:


This story originally appeared on BBC

COMMENTS (1)

umair | 6 years ago | Reply The baby in her womb would surely become a raper when grown up because what mother do in her pregnancy, the fetus get a lot of it inherited.
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ