CMAJ letter to the editor criticizing use of image of young hijab-wearing girl sparks backlash

A letter to the editor published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has drawn controversy over a discussion about hijabs, specifically relating to their being worn by young girls. Dr. Sherif Emil, a pediatric surgeon and professor of pediatric surgery at McGill University Faculty of Medicine, wrote a piece responding to the use of an image accompanying another piece published in CMAJ earlier this year. The image in question features two elementary school-aged girls reading a book together, one wearing a hijab. According to Dr. Emil the picture “shocked and infuriated many” and he cited comments tweeted by Yasmine Mohammed, an author whose website describes her as a Canadian human rights campaigner focused on “the rights of women living in Islamic majority countries . . ..” Here is Mohammed’s tweet, which also cites the image in question: Dr. Emil noted that he respects “any woman’s choice to express her identity as she desires,” noting that it is wrong that many Muslim women in Canada face discrimination for the choice to hijabs. “But respect does not alter the fact that the hijab, the niqab and the burka are also instruments of oppression for millions of girls and women around the world who are not allowed to make a choice,” he continued. It didn’t take long for the opinion piece to garner negative attention, especially with regard to his choice of words, “instruments of oppression.” "All women should be supported in their choices." said one twitter user. "For those who've been forced or pressured into wearing hijab, please know I will always stand with you & support your right to choice. But criticizing my right & my daughter's right to be represented publicly in hijab is wrong." Interim editor-in-chief of CMAJ Kirsten Patrick took note of the negative feedback and said she takes full responsibility for the publication of the letter. “I was moved to publish it following a call with Muslim women physicians who objected to an image CMAJ had used that evoked their trauma of being forced to cover up as children,” she tweeted. “Islamophobia is a serious health issue. It kills,” she continued. “The letter's title suggests that the hijab is unequivocally an instrument of oppression; that is wrong, hurtful & offensive. I take full responsibility for the headline. As an editor I know the power of words & that is my error."

CMAJ letter to the editor criticizing use of image of young hijab-wearing girl sparks backlash

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