Reconstructing Shame by the Wearing of Hijab: Experience of New Muslim Converts in Malaysia

There has been extensive study on shameShame and women’s body imageWomen’s body image. In the context of Muslim women, most studies have focused on traditional Islamic clothingTraditional Islamic clothing and its symbolic meaning. One item of traditional Islamic clothing is the hijab, which can be seen as a source of identity. This study focuses on the concept of shame from the Islamic perspectiveConcept of shame from the Islamic perspective to explore the experience of wearing of hijab for the new Muslim women converts in MalaysiaMalaysia in terms of everyday interactions, and to understand how this impacts notions of selfNotions of self and shame constructionShame construction. A qualitative methodology is used to explore the objectives using in-depth interviews and textual/image analysis from social mediaSocial media. The criteria for selecting the participants included new Muslim women convertsMuslim women converts (<5 years conversion), from different cultural/ethnic backgrounds, and who are active on social media. Data analysis relates to meaning of shame before and after wearing hijab, expression of feelings related to the wearing of hijab, and behavioural changes related to the wearing of hijab. This study contributes to the literature regarding shame among women, particularly Muslim converts, in their quest to find their identities in a new religion and culture in a manageable and appropriate way.