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The Many Faces Of Australia's Muslim Women

Suemaya Chami. Photo: Tomasz Machnik

Suemaya Chami, 31, is a primary schoolteacher and single mum. She lives with her two kids in Sydney.

“I was born and raised in the western suburbs of Sydney – I was born on Australia Day! My parents are both Lebanese, but I love Australian culture and I’ve never felt left out. I wear the hijab, but
I love to swim and when I do I wear a lycra long-sleeved body suit with tights and a lycra scarf. Even as a teenager, I never drank alcohol. I’ve just never felt an urge and my friends never pressured me.

Being abused because of what you are wearing is hard. It’s hurtful when uneducated people say things about your faith that are completely wrong. A couple of weeks ago a man pointed at me in the street and said he didn’t consider ‘that thing’ on my head very Australian. But I am very proudly Australian, and feel lucky to live here. I’ve also been sworn at when my kids are with me. I try to ignore it.

A friend of mine was on a train when a woman hit her over the head with a huge book. There’s a lot of anger towards Muslims at the moment. These people who are killing in the name of Islam, I don’t even consider them Muslims. They’re extremists and I hope they get caught and suffer the consequences.

Recently, I split with my husband, who is also a Muslim. It’s hard being a single parent in any community, but my support network has always been there for me."

Canan Canik, 27, is an executive assistant who lives in Melbourne with her mother.

Canan Canik. Photo: Tomasz Machnik

"People are surprised that I’m Muslim because I’m blonde, don’t dress super conservatively and I’ll come to the pub. But what does a normal Muslim look like? There’s no such thing. I was born in Sydney and when I was young we moved to Turkey for a couple of years, where my parents are from. When I was nine we came back to Melbourne.

I wasn’t a rebellious kid. Whatever Mum said, I listened to. I’ve never been drunk. I did drink a bit when I was younger, but now I’ve stopped because I know more about my religion – in Islam alcohol isn’t allowed because it alters our state of mind and numbs us, and it’s harmful for our bodies. I also don’t eat pork, but it’s not a big deal, it’s just my preference.

I’ve never officially dated anyone, but that’s my choice. I’ve seen guys here and there but nothing serious. I’m busy with work! I’d prefer to date someone who’s the same religion, only because it makes life easier.

At the beach, I wear shorts and a T-shirt. I have some cousins who wear a headscarf, and others who wear the burka. The Koran says to cover yourself modestly, but it’s all down to interpretation. No-one judges me in my community.

When I’m ready to cover more it’ll be my choice. One day, I think I’d like to wear a headscarf. I wouldn’t wear the niqab, though – that’s not my interpretation of my faith. But practising Islam is pretty easy – you just have to be a nice human being. What’s between you and God is between you and God."

Wiwid Howat, 26, runs fashion blog Wiwid Howat, designs clothes and works in university administration. Originally from Indonesia, she now lives in Sydney with her husband.

The Many Faces Of Australia's Muslim Women
The Many Faces Of Australia's Muslim Women

Wiwid Howat. Photo: Tomasz Machnik

“I met my husband on exchange in Arizona while studying international politics. He’s English-Australian. We were both so young and shy, but the love grew between us. Crazily, we decided to get married straightaway.

Before that I’d assumed I’d have an arranged marriage and told my parents they could find a husband for me. They put forward five guys, and I always had the right to say no. Each time it was like a job interview. I’d sneak down to have a look. They were either not my type, too old, or I was already friends with them, so it was just awkward. There was one I was seriously thinking about, but then I met my husband.

At first, my parents were worried. They had stereotypes about white guys, and thought he was drinking and having sex with lots of girls. That changed when they met him.

Growing up in Indonesia, being Muslim was common. America was the first time I experienced being
in the minority. People stared at me because I wear a headscarf. But I shop at Zara, I love fashion, I go to Beyoncé concerts. I’m just a normal person. I like to be creative.

Islam teaches you to be modest, and I used to be jealous of girls wearing cute miniskirts. One day,
I made this skirt with jeans under it. It looked good! I started my own label in Indonesia and I now hava personal style blog and go to Fashion Weeks around the world.

Sometimes, I’ll get judged by other Muslims because I’ll wear a midi skirt and show a bit of ankle. It’s sad. We should support one another.”

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