Tudung

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Tudung


A controversial take, but for me:

Why must students be forced to wear the headscarf in school? I grew up in an environment where wearing one was mandatory. Are we even in a public school system, or is this a religious institution in disguise? Why must a Muslim student be compelled to wear it when, in her heart, she doesn’t want to?

The contradiction is glaring. Girls wear the tudung in school because it’s required, but when they’re out with friends, they remove it. What’s the purpose of wearing it in school, anyway? What’s the learning curve I’m failing to grasp?

Teachers in primary and secondary schools often view female students as objects—fresh meat. Because of this, I’m trapped in an outdated system built on “takut malu”—the fear of shame—instilled by Asian Muslim parents.

“Kak, jangan cabut tudung bila kat luar. Malu, mama abah.”

The pressure to wear it everywhere is suffocating.

The idea of free will is stripped away because a group of people refuses to see female students as human beings, not just bodies to be hidden. Are we animals or humans? Dig deeper.

I believe female students, forced to comply with government standards, are trying to push back against the narrative. Because in this system, males are conditioned to see females as meat in a drawer.


These are my personal memories and lived experiences. You are not permitted to reproduce, adapt, or portray this scene in any form of media, out of respect for my reality. The original publisher is still alive. Any similarities or resemblances to this story will be regarded as a violation, and I will pursue legal action accordingly. It is unacceptable to misrepresent or claim my life experience as your own.

If you wish to contact me, please do so respectfully via email: nilhdaf@gmail.com

Do not depict my painful experience in any media format, including films resembling Pekak.

Image Source: Canva
Proofreader: Microsoft Copilot

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