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Tuesday, October 14, 2014

HIJAB & SKINNY JEANS - CAN MEH? Malaysian singer Yuna dubbed ‘poster girl’ for hijabsters in figure-hugging

HIJAB & SKINNY JEANS - CAN MEH? M'sian singer Yuna dubbed ‘poster girl’ for hijabsters in figure-hugging
KUALA LUMPUR - In an era when donning the hijab often invites common misconceptions of Islamic conservatism and the accompanying cultural stigma, Malaysian singing sensation Yunalis Mat Zara’ai, or “Yuna” as she is better known as, is breaking the mould.
The 27-year-old pop star has earned herself a name not just in her home country, The New York Times pointed out in an article, but even in the United States, where Islam, the faith she follows with pride, is the minority religion behind Christianity and Judaism.
But Yuna believes she has found “a balance”, the US daily quoted her saying, having become a “cultural force” in both Malaysia and in the West, whilst still working within the rules of Islam.
In fact, her signature hijab ― a headscarf worn by Muslim women ― has turned her into a “poster girl” of sorts for “hijabsters” elsewhere, the paper wrote.
“Hijabster” is a portmanteau of the hijab and hipster subcultural phenomenon that seeks to differentiate itself from the mainstream.
The NYT noted that it was Yuna’s own desire to be a better Muslim that moved her to first don the headscarf a decade ago.
Already in love with music then and keen on exploring the industry, Yuna did not see wearing the hijab as a hindrance to her ambitions.
To strike a balance, Yuna even daringly paired her hijab with skinny jeans.
Some conservative Muslims did take issue with this, the artist admitted.
“Some people have a problem with that,” she was quoted saying, referring to her skinny jeans. “People think they’re too tight.”
But these critics were in the minority and if anything, the young singer-songwriter said, wearing the hijab has resulted in better treatment from her fans.
“It’s a cliche... but people are more respectful,” she was quoted saying.
Unlike many other Muslim entertainers in Malaysia who tend not to cover their hair, the NYT said, Yuna has no qualms over displaying her religious affinity by keeping her hijab on.
In fact, the article said, the musician is happy that wearing the headscarf is now no longer considered “something that’s weird”.
“If I inspired people to embrace their faith then I’m really happy, Alhamdulillah (Praise God!)!” she was quoted saying.
For fans in Muslim-majority Malaysia, Yuna is the “role model” that they have been waiting for ― “a dynamic, young career woman who is also an observant Muslim”, the NYT wrote.
“These are not real hipsters or rebels. They work within ― rather than against ― the rules,” the paper quoted Mennah Ibrahim, a Beirut-based branding expert for marketing and communications firm JWT Global, as saying.
Since her foray into the music industry years ago, the husky-voiced Yuna has now earned a number of Malaysian music awards, moved to Los Angeles where she is signed with an American music label and has even appeared on “The Tonight Show” with popular host Jay Leno, NYT wrote.
She also has a clothing business to her name with a store opened in May in her home city of Kuala Lumpur called “November Culture”.
The store, according to the daily, is a reflection of Yuna’s inspirations, carrying clothing designs by the artist herself, her famous CDs and a donation box that collects for humanitarian aid organisation Mercy Malaysia.
By end 2014, Yuna would have toured more than two dozen cities in the US, the NYT reported, to promote “Nocturnal”, her latest album to be released by Universal’s Verve Music.
Having come into her own, hijab and skinny jeans notwithstanding, Yuna now views with inspiration the growing number of women who now dress like her, not just in her home city but even in the US and elsewhere.
“What we wear is our own choice, how we cover up. Personally, I found a balance,” NYT quoted her saying.
-Malay Mail

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