So the last two weeks, Muslim Twitter has been set alight with commentary on a debate that has triggered, the coming of an online civil war (figuratively). The debate ensued on the back end of a discussion surrounding Dina Tokio’s recent publication in The Metro, where she discusses her approach to wearing her hijab on occasions, as to not put pressure on herself so that it results in her despising of it.

I’ve had so many problems with Dina Tokio since that Times Magazine interview. Her need to constantly please others to “fit in”and normalising it is so damaging. https://t.co/s82vgaaokZ

— Mariam (@mariam_abluth) September 23, 2018

Not just for herself- she has an army of followers. Telling women alike that she doesn’t bother wearing her hijab to tescos or school runs, makes it seem like that’s not a huge task- so the hijab isn’t necessary. I’m not taking away her own experience but it’s concerning-

— Mariam (@mariam_abluth) September 23, 2018

How much she’s compromising to “fit in” to seem white. Ngl she’s already white enough.

— Mariam (@mariam_abluth) September 23, 2018

And distancing herself from the hijab as if it isn’t the very same thing she’s profited from and built her whole platform on. It’s fine to do as you please but she’s now denouncing the very thing that gave her fame- and still making money from?

— Mariam (@mariam_abluth) September 23, 2018

All these sponsors only want a face of diversity- and if you’re slowly detaching yourself from the hijab and it’s importance then stop trying to represent us.

— Mariam (@mariam_abluth) September 23, 2018

This is how Dina Tokio be showing her hair off one bit at a time pic.twitter.com/o2I7Vcm4Qm

— ℕ???????????????????? (@1malab) September 22, 2018

I’m dying Dina Tokio said she takes off her hijab when she goes Tesco because there’s a lot of white people around.

— ????????‍♀️ (@AlwaysTwiggered) September 22, 2018

Dina Tokio started off wearing proper Hijab.. Now she takes it off sometimes.

Khalid Siddique with Nasheed.. Now he has an earring and does music.

Muslim Belal as a poet..now he takes part in non-Muslim movies.

Fame is a dangerous path.

May Allah guide them and us all.

— مريم ام عيسى (@maghrebiyya) September 21, 2018

When will Dina Tokio live her life without constantly finding a way to justify things religiously?

— arwa ???? (@arwaedris) September 21, 2018

Sheikha dina tokio, leader of the liberated ummah.

— Khadija (@khadkoth) September 21, 2018

why is dina tokio telling interviewers that she will wear her hijab in muslim areas but take it off when she goes tesco to “integrate” what kind of logic

— naf (@xfissa) September 21, 2018

Listen dinatokio is annoying not bc shes wishy washy about hijab but bc she got famous BECAUSE of hijab, inspired girls and then wants to act like its no big deal that shes taking it off and saying its no ones business. U literally made it everyone’s business and now u frontin? K

— wiz khaleesi (@mahnijaani) September 23, 2018

i honestly canNOT stand that dina tokio is meant to be a spokesperson or an advocate for hijabis or whatever, she doesn’t understand the “struggle” she likes to pretend the hijab doesn’t exist and white ppl will love us if we hide our hijabiness

— big zee (@zee3130) September 23, 2018

Dina Tokio saying she needs to fit in with white people is mad because she literally is a white person what more do you need to do to fit in sis

— mariam (@elghwl) September 22, 2018

This thread is so accurate like I was a Dina Tokio fan until she started showing her hair going against what she stood for at the beginning of her career. I just watch her videos now out of routine but once she takes off her turban I will not be watching anymore.

— Raven-haired girl (@fathiima_k) September 23, 2018

You gotta hand it to @dinatokio. She is actually killing the game, mainstream and all. She is the real OG for modest fashion bloggers + now is a published author.

Kudos, MashAllah and all that jazz! ????????????????

— Maiya Rahman (@RahmanMaiya) September 20, 2018

Some pointed out how bloggers as a whole are part of the problem

I’m not usually a controversial person, and keep certain opinions to myself but I will say this.

A big thank you to YouTube hiJaBi BlOgGers for doing us Muslim women dirty.

A thread:

— Sam (@excessarrows) September 22, 2018

Let get one thing clear.

The whole purpose of hijabi influencers and the reason WE (the viewers) gave them a voice was to represent the average Muslimah in a non-Muslim society.

— Sam (@excessarrows) September 22, 2018

That meant speaking about prevalent issues and breaking down the whole “Muslim women are oppressed” notion and address misunderstanding in a DIGNIFIED manner.

— Sam (@excessarrows) September 22, 2018

For a while this was done well, influencers were aware of how they dressed what to/what not to say. Muslim independent Businesses were promoted.

Being a hijabi became a cool thing.

— Sam (@excessarrows) September 22, 2018

For a while this was done well, influencers were aware of how they dressed what to/what not to say. Muslim independent Businesses were promoted.

Being a hijabi became a cool thing.

— Sam (@excessarrows) September 22, 2018

Then something changed (lords knows), attitudes shifted, trends changed. It became popular to style the hijab into a turban, influencers began to work with companies that are deemed unethical to some extent.

“Modest fashion” became not so modest.

— Sam (@excessarrows) September 22, 2018

FYI from my experience and many other girls I have spoken to, the turban phase was actually a point of insecurity which translated into low imaan.

— Sam (@excessarrows) September 22, 2018

Fast forward now everyone’s taking their hijab off at a time where we need to be resilient.
It’s trendy not to associate with the hijab (b/c of the word’s association with Islam) but rather call it “modest fashion” b/c it’s more inclusive (as if Muslims aren’t the minority)

— Sam (@excessarrows) September 22, 2018

Let’s face it everyone’s thinking it and yeah we’re not perfect, far from it, but most of us don’t have 800,000 subscribers following our every move

— Sam (@excessarrows) September 22, 2018

Others pointed out how pointless it was to debate

Just generally as a whole, leave Muslim girls alone. If you care so much drop subtle, general reminders for them and hope they clock or if she's someone close to you message her privately. And do the same for your boys as well.

— Taahir (@taahir98) September 23, 2018

At what point in your life do you get on with your life and ignore whatever the fuck Dina Tokio is doing lmaooooo

— Taahir (@taahir98) September 23, 2018

Ppl on here be like: here's a 13 page essay on why I hate Dina Tokio and why she doesn't matter.

— Taahir (@taahir98) September 23, 2018

As a result, more and more sub-conversations ensued from Muslim men and Twitter giving their 2 cents and weighing on those who do and don’t represent the hijab, and Islam ‘properly.’

When a Muslim man studies Shariah

More ibadah > more humility > teaching others > dawah > serving the community

When a Muslim woman studies Shariah

Full hijab > hijabi fashonista > turban hijab > takes off hijab > starts dating non-Muslim men

— Nabeel Azeez (@NabeelAzeezDXB) September 23, 2018

4 sex robot wives >>>>>> marrying the modern social media Muslimah.

— Nabeel Azeez (@NabeelAzeezDXB) September 27, 2018

Already been done to death.

So much so that no one bats an eye.

But when you flip the script and point out REAL degenerate female behavior…

All hell breaks loose.

It's hypocrisy. https://t.co/QZ8DXpv1BE

— Nabeel Azeez (@NabeelAzeezDXB) September 27, 2018

Can someone get this annoying man a hijab since he is so obsessed with it https://t.co/7o1JCiYw6Q

— Sheeffah Shiraz (@SheeWrites) September 26, 2018

Ruqaiya Harris put out a thread to help create a safe outlet for women who have been abused, and subject to shaming, and humiliation online as a result of how she chooses to practice her faith.

(Without sounding too self-indulgent lol) I’ve read about 50 tweets from other Muslims directly or indirectly slandering me in the last couple of days and it’s quite surreal to see what kind of perception people have about you, based solely on social media…

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 28, 2018

A thread for Muslim women receiving gross misogynistic abuse online:

So a lot of young Muslim women have been getting targeted by the same types of irate middle-aged Muslim men who are problematic in a number of ways, but most of all seem to revel in their deep hatred of women

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 27, 2018

It can be very taxing emotionally and spiritually too. Kind of makes you think things like “why am I part of this community?” or “why do I defend our brothers to Islamophobes when they behave like this?”

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 27, 2018

Similarly when your hijab and your outward appearance are the focus of constant public discussion and criticism it can distort your own self-image any associate hijab/faith with nothing but negativity

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 27, 2018

It’s important for you to detach yourself from these unwarranted opinions if you’re going to occupy public spaces. These types of men will always exist, and we must continue to challenge & educate where we have the energy but are not obliged to do so if we don’t feel like it

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 27, 2018

Everybody deals with negativity online but black women, trans women and Muslim women seem to bear the brunt of it from what I’ve seen in my years online. So it’s important to take extra steps to protect your sanity and well-being

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 27, 2018

Remember that many of these dudes have deep issues in their personal lives, whether it’s incel-type frustration & rejection from women, unresolved mental health issues, unfulfilling marriages, childhood abuse, even health problems. We know nothing of them except an online persona

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 27, 2018

It’s important to take what they say with a pinch of salt because you seriously have no idea how messed up that person could be. He just sees a beautiful, outspoken woman living her life and feels inexplicable rage. It can’t be an enjoyable way to live

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 27, 2018

Ultimately your light and your love are what attracts the bad as well as the good. Just as honey attracts flies. Just keep doing you & take time to log off and spend time with your family & friends as well as nature ????????????

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 27, 2018

Whilst we know what our shortcomings are, a lot of these men are unaware of their own unbelievable arrogance, a trait so deeply loathed by Allah. They slander innocent women and commit major sins freely thinking that God is on their side. Pray for them not to die in this state

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 27, 2018

Life is too short to waste time on people who are full of hate and anger. Surround yourself with good vibes and good people, and let your interactions with Muslims be with those in your community who love & care about you, not anonymous strange people online. ????????❤️

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 27, 2018

And lastly if the abuse you receive online ever makes you think about hurting yourself, leaving Islam or something drastic then please reach out to someone. Sometimes it can be painful and more than you can deal with alone & that’s okay. Drop me a msg it’s not burdensome for me

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 27, 2018

Sending you all LOVE anyways ❤️❤️❤️ womanhood is beautiful and special and not everybody can handle it but grateful everyday for the softness of my heart and my unique status in the kingdom of God ????????????

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 27, 2018

Women’s righteous anger is always used against us. They will harass, bully and intimidate us until we use curse words then say “look at this foul mouthed woman” – reminds me of Victorian England when women were put in mental asylums for speaking out. Historical tiny D energy https://t.co/0RqeA7buEe

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 27, 2018

A man named Nabeel Azeez, creator of the blog, “the Alpha Muslim: caused a stir when sending for Muslim women online, shaming, humiliating, and

Even ex Guantanamo prisoner Babar Ahmed got involved

Aisha (ra) also studied “shariah.” She was one of the greatest Islamic scholars to walk this Earth.

The rat who lied against me so I went to prison for 11yrs was a hafiz, imam and student of shariah.

PS he wasn’t a woman.

PPS 99% of the rats in our community are… males. https://t.co/sZIKNXRXzq

— Babar Ahmad (@FreeBabarAhmad) September 26, 2018

As I grow older, I understand why the Prophet (pbuh) said that whoever isn’t kind has no faith. Faith is kindness. If our faith doesn’t manifest itself through kindness, we’re doing something wrong. Our wounds thirst for kindness, our hearts yearn for it.

— ???? (@themunalisa_) September 27, 2018

Men don’t want women studying theology or religion because for centuries men have used theology and religious institutions to oppress women and uphold the patriarchy. The minute women become more educated on the matter and ask questions and dispel their patriarchal nonsense

— Nope (@Get2Noha) September 27, 2018

Women’s righteous anger is always used against us. They will harass, bully and intimidate us until we use curse words then say “look at this foul mouthed woman” – reminds me of Victorian England when women were put in mental asylums for speaking out. Historical tiny D energy https://t.co/0RqeA7buEe

— Ruqaiya (@ruqaiya_h) September 27, 2018

I hate wading back into MT drama, but just so that it is very, very clear – just as I despise Muslim men who claim moral superiority and yet stoop to the vilest lows in both vocabulary and conduct, so too do I have zero tolerance for Muslim women who do the same.

— The Salafi Feminist (@AnonyMousey) September 27, 2018

Brief follow up: to those men who *have* and *did* call out this person's evil, in public and in private, jazaakumAllahu khayran.

We need more of you.

— The Salafi Feminist (@AnonyMousey) September 25, 2018

It is always fascinating to me to observe the differences in how the Muslim community, both online and in real life, whether leaders or laypeople, will react to the behaviours of Muslim men vs Muslim women.

"Gender bending" is my favourite way of evaluating the standards.

— The Salafi Feminist (@AnonyMousey) September 25, 2018

The debate still thrives and grows, do send us your opinion on the issues raised above, to contribute@amaliah.com.