Why bring my hijab into it?
Hijab-wearing professional asked to comment on Islamic State
MY PALMS are sweaty as I wait outside the building of the second biggest online retailer. I’ve been preparing for this interview since late last night. There are different algorithms and computer science terminologies swirling around in my head, I’ve read every article of potential questions they could ask, I’ve researched the company well and I feel confident.
After earning my BSc at UCT, I’ve been working in the industry as a software engineer for close to three years.
It’s time for my interview with the lead developer. He seems surprised to see a hijabwearing, modestly-clothed Muslim woman enter the room so assertively.
After our introductions, he asks me all the typical interview questions: Where do you see yourself in five years? What computer languages do you know? Do you know about our company? Do you see yourself as a leader/manager? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Could you see yourself working here? What do you expect coming in to this company?
After about 30 minutes chatting about my past technical experience and projects that I’ve completed, he suddenly throws a very personal question at me: “As an orthodox Muslim, how do you feel about the radicalisation of Muslims and Islamic State, especially with regards to the recent Paris bombings?” I was taken aback, I prepared for everything besides this question.
My heart was beating fast and I have never been asked to defend myself before in a professional setting, especially for crimes that I haven’t committed.
I then told him that only ignorant people will judge 1.6 billion Muslims on the actions of a few terrorists that call themselves “Muslims”.
His use of “orthodox Muslim” inferred that “radical Muslims” were still following the teachings of our holy books.
I said our holy book condemns the killing of innocent lives and that one should not place all Muslims in one box.
It was only afterwards as I reflected on the exchange that I realised the biased undertones in our discussions, the subtle illinformed manner in his questions and that he probably formed an opinion of me the minute I walked through the door.
I composed myself and, as the interview came to an end, I ended off with a friendly greeting and I was on my way, hoping that my few words would provoke some thought.