Too often, hijabis are seen as a symbol of a decades-old political and religious debate. They are put under the microscope, analyzed, and thoroughly criticized.



While wearing the hijab is supposed to be a personal decision, it is seldom treated as such.

Society has a lot to say about every aspect of the hijab, with the general assumption dictating that the decision to put it on forms an eternal pact, a "death do us part" promise.



The result? An overwhelming stigma surrounding women who stop wearing the veil, especially in Muslim and Arab communities.

These women are often judged and looked down upon in the region's conservative communities, with many people refusing to acknowledge the valid reasons that justify the move.

To get a glimpse of what lies beyond the decision to stop wearing the hijab, we talked to young women from around the Arab world who shared their experiences and reflected on their decisions.