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

— Pepe (@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-

— Pepe (@mariam_abluth) September 23, 2018

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

— Pepe (@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?

— Pepe (@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.

— Pepe (@mariam_abluth) September 23, 2018

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

— ♡ 🂭 ♡ (@girliniceberg) September 22, 2018

https://twitter.com/AlwaysTwiggered/status/1043614049517355012

https://twitter.com/maghrebiyya/status/1043270710603468801

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

— aaaaa 🦋 (@sublimeviewss) September 21, 2018

https://twitter.com/khadkoth/status/1043200256991801344

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

— see ya (@xfissa) September 21, 2018

https://twitter.com/mahnijaani/status/1043870469630431232

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

— zee (@zeegilgawi) September 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/elghwl/status/1043445166604992512

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.

— A raven-haired girl ☆ (@raven_girlxo) September 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/RahmanMaiya/status/1042909660280438785

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

https://twitter.com/excessarrows/status/1043450467974569984

https://twitter.com/excessarrows/status/1043451149037105155

https://twitter.com/excessarrows/status/1043451536515444737

https://twitter.com/excessarrows/status/1043451909955301378

https://twitter.com/excessarrows/status/1043451909955301378

https://twitter.com/excessarrows/status/1043452907604070400

https://twitter.com/excessarrows/status/1043453244683558912

https://twitter.com/excessarrows/status/1043454392236736512

https://twitter.com/excessarrows/status/1043458348119666694

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.’

https://twitter.com/NabeelAzeezDXB/status/1043848578047889408

https://twitter.com/NabeelAzeezDXB/status/1045193453741715456

https://twitter.com/NabeelAzeezDXB/status/1045188570242318336

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.

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045464355901452289

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045287977545605120

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045289241297801217

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045289248335810560

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045289251028561920

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045289733222486016

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045290573907841024

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045290856884981761

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045291472898203648

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045292287117447168

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045292764982915072

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045293881913421824

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045294231114395648

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045321174316716032

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.

— 𝓜 (@abeeraeifa) September 27, 2018

https://twitter.com/Get2Noha/status/1045353776759083014

https://twitter.com/ruqaiya_h/status/1045321174316716032

https://twitter.com/AnonyMousey/status/1045396493232791552

https://twitter.com/AnonyMousey/status/1044705818531090432

https://twitter.com/AnonyMousey/status/1044683457173970944

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