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A review by wanderlust_romance
Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
I really enjoyed this. I want to be completely forthright and say that if you are the sort of reader who is put off by discussion of organized religion, reflection on religious texts, or recounting of any religious stories, this memoir is not going to be your cup of tea.
Hijab Butch Blues examines a bevy of intersections: immigrant, South Asian, Muslim, queer, feminist, and gender nonconformity, to name just a few. It was absolutely fascinating to read the parallels between the stories of the Quran, their teachings, interpretations, and moral questions, and see those interwoven with anecdotes of the author's own life. The memoir is a reflection on what it has meant to live as a queer, gender non-conforming, and in their own description a "visible Muslim" (ie. hijab wearing) immigrant both within and outside of the United States. They enumerate the specific challenges in navigating relationships with the queer community, being made to feel "not gay enough," being critiqued for adhering to an organized religion. They discuss their struggles to come out, how their coming out is received, how it can change or sever relationships. They relate with openness and vulnerability their racist experiences within the United States (New York in particular) as a brown skinned visibly Muslim person. They relay the challenges of navigating immigration, unceasing bureaucracy, ridiculous medical examinations required by their visa reapplications, and how early on they were explicitly instructed on what documents to carry and how to comport themself when faced with questioning from authorities. Most profoundly, Hijab Butch Blues reinforces that there is no set timeline for any of these reflections. That they are all a meaningful part of learning, unlearning, growth, and maturity. There is no perfect path. There is the one we take; the one we learn from; the bonds we form along the way.
Hijab Butch Blues examines a bevy of intersections: immigrant, South Asian, Muslim, queer, feminist, and gender nonconformity, to name just a few. It was absolutely fascinating to read the parallels between the stories of the Quran, their teachings, interpretations, and moral questions, and see those interwoven with anecdotes of the author's own life. The memoir is a reflection on what it has meant to live as a queer, gender non-conforming, and in their own description a "visible Muslim" (ie. hijab wearing) immigrant both within and outside of the United States. They enumerate the specific challenges in navigating relationships with the queer community, being made to feel "not gay enough," being critiqued for adhering to an organized religion. They discuss their struggles to come out, how their coming out is received, how it can change or sever relationships. They relate with openness and vulnerability their racist experiences within the United States (New York in particular) as a brown skinned visibly Muslim person. They relay the challenges of navigating immigration, unceasing bureaucracy, ridiculous medical examinations required by their visa reapplications, and how early on they were explicitly instructed on what documents to carry and how to comport themself when faced with questioning from authorities. Most profoundly, Hijab Butch Blues reinforces that there is no set timeline for any of these reflections. That they are all a meaningful part of learning, unlearning, growth, and maturity. There is no perfect path. There is the one we take; the one we learn from; the bonds we form along the way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Xenophobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Toxic relationship and Suicidal thoughts