“The Hijabis”: Art Without Boundaries

By: Benny Schorie        

The opening night of George Fox University’s (GFU) production of “The Hijabis” marks a success for the theatre department. Written by Rohina Malik and directed by Genevieve Fowler, this project was undertaken to encourage interfaith dialogue and share the struggles of Muslim people in modern America. 

The play tells the compelling story of three Muslim women as they navigate life as Americans, people of faith, and, most importantly, friends. The play features a separate storyline for each of the main characters: Leen as she balances a failing marriage and fashion boutique; Maya as she plans her wedding and learns what it means to wear her faith; and Nadia as she struggles to find love and have a fulfilling career. Together they learn to support each other through traumatic experiences and live authentically.

By far the most remarkable aspect of the playwriting is how balanced the storytelling is; each main character gets equal amounts of time for her story development, and everything is easy to follow despite how much happens from start to finish. To display the realities of a Muslim life in America, the show presents heavy, traumatic events and topics; however, these do not cast a dark cloud over the tasteful, lively sense of humor maintained throughout the production. 

The staging is a defining feature for “The Hijabis.” A revolving stage allows for easy transitions and the necessary pacing. This unique aspect of the show does not feel distracting to the plot or scenes but enhances them and creates a flow. The costuming also added to the ambience as they match and build the personalities of each character. The use of the hijab is a defining feature of the show, of course, but it did not feel forced or unnecessary. Each of the female characters styled her hijab differently to distinguish their characters and their expressions of faith. 

This was an ambitious project from start to finish. The undertaking of Muslim stories at a Quaker university originally left a bad taste in my mouth, but after experiencing this story and the authenticity that went into creating it, I understand how important it is to share with GFU’s audience. It reveals the common human experience of all people by going beyond stereotypes and clinging to reality. “The Hijabis” breaks barriers, creates important dialogue for people of all faiths, and maintains a lifted spirit in the process speaking volumes to the nature of this portrayal of Muslim women.

Jessica Daugherty