Unwrapping confusion
CAIR event welcomes all to learn about the history and purpose of the hijab
Christine Mohamed, new executive director of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said that one of the biggest misconceptions about her faith involves the hijab, or the head scarf worn by Muslim women.
“It is viewed as oppressive to women. But it is a feminist statement because we are telling society you will not dictate to me what beauty is — I have a mind and a heart,’’ Mrs. Mohamed explained of the practice used by some Muslim women.
“It is a way to put a barrier and say you will not see my beauty as both men and women are called to modesty.’’
The West Mifflin woman, who was raised as a Catholic in Hazelwood, said the first production in her new role will be a hijab event at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday at the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, 4100 Bigelow Blvd., Oakland. It is designed to coincide with World Hijab Day.
Everyone is welcome. Women of all religions and backgrounds may wear and experience the hijab, usually pronounced “hee-jaab.” A panel will explain its history and purpose and point out that wearing it is not mandatory for a Muslim woman. Rather, some choose to wear it because of tradition and others as a way to show self-control, power and agency.
Mrs. Mohamed is the first woman to hold the post at CAIR-Pittsburgh, located at 801 N. Negley Ave., East Liberty.
CAIR is the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. The nonprofit organization has 31 offices nationwide and a national headquarters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
“CAIR was founded [1994] because of the need for an American Muslim voice in the public
sphere,” said Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR’s national communications director. “CAIR is supported by the Muslim community and the larger society because we offer a mainstream perspective on issues impacting Muslims and defend the civil and constitutional rights of Americans of all faiths and backgrounds.”
As a child, Mrs. Mohamed, 43, attended St. Stephen Catholic grade school in Hazelwood.
When her mother, the late Donna Mason, remarried, the family moved to a military base in Hawaii with her new U.S. Army serviceman husband.
“It showed me a new perspective of the world with different languages and people,” Mrs. Mohamed said.
“Living on an Army base forces you to look at diversity and builds pride for the men and women who risk their lives to protect us.”
Following a transfer to an Army base in Warrenton, Va., the family moved back to Pittsburgh. Mrs. Mohamed completed her senior year of high school at Taylor Allderice in Squirrel Hill.
After attending the Pittsburgh Technical Institute for graphic design, she worked as a graphic artist at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and an editorial designer at the Pittsburgh Catholic.
In 2007, she began the yearlong conversion to Islam.
“I was studying theology and reading books on comparative religions. I loved my Catholic faith, but I had authenticity issues, like how the New Testaments were collected to be in the Bible.
“I believe there is good in the Bible, but it has gone through hundreds of translations and political agendas. Islam is very simplistic. There is no middle man between me and my creator. It encompasses your whole life and gave me a sense of purpose and peace. I am a firm believer that everyone has their own right to choose their faith system, even if that is none at all.’’
She said her decision to convert led to a brief period of family tensions. But her stepfather, Jon Mason, emerged as a “true patriot.’’
“He reminded us that he was willing to die so I would have the right to choose. He embodies all that a soldier is,” she said.
Over the next decade, her devotion to serving the Muslim and interfaith communities led to speaking at Strong Women, Strong Girls Pittsburgh, serving as a panelist for Jewish Voice for Peace and managing a Help for the Convert support group at her mosque.
For two years she taught an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute class at Carnegie Mellon University titled “Lions, Tigers and Muslims … Oh My,” designed to dispel misconceptions about Islam.
Today, the mother of three children is committed to CAIR’s mission to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
To that end, CAIR-Pittsburgh last July called for the resignation of a local Republican committee chairman over hate-filled social media posts about Muslims. He subsequently stepped down.
“We try to build bridges, so if we see Islamophobia we stand up against it,” Mrs. Mohamed said.
CAIR-Pittsburgh also condemned attacks on Christian worshippers celebrating Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka last year.
“We promote justice, and it is not limited to one race or creed,” she said.
As for terror attacks by those professing allegiance to Allah, she said the Quran is “very clear” that it is not permitted, except in self-defense, to take an innocent life.
“If an extremist tries to use God for the loss of life, it is not about Islam but about a political agenda and money. Scholars of Islam come out and condemn terror attacks,” she said.
Mrs. Mohamed said she will be guided in her advocacy of justice and mutual understanding by her mother, who inspired through her random acts of kindness for strangers, like once paying for a police officer’s dinner at a local restaurant.
“She said, ‘If you see something, do something. God gave you a voice and you have a backbone; I checked,’’ Mrs. Mohamed recalled her mother saying.
She would also like to present her “Lions, Tigers and Muslims … Oh My” instruction at CAIR-Pittsburgh, as she said she feels it is her responsibility in her role to educate about the faith “so people are not so scared.”
Mrs. Mohamed is optimistic.
“I have a lot of hope in Pittsburgh. I’m a native, and I know all the good here.’’
Anyone with questions about CAIR should email Mr. Hooper at ihooper@cair.com.