Syrian-American’s rap tribute to hijab makes waves online

A rap song released by a Syrian-American poet and activist celebrating Muslim women who wear the traditional headscarf has gone viral online and garnered praise for being a feminist anthem.

Mona Haydar, 28, last month released a music video for her song “Hijabi “to honor Muslim Women’s Day, in an effort to debunk misconceptions about Muslims in American culture.

“Power run deep,” the young mother from Flint, Michigan raps. “So even if you hate it/ I still wrap my hijab/ Wrap my hijab/ Wrap my hijab.”

The song was met warmly, with thousands of fans using the hashtag #hijabiXmona on Twitter to show solidarity with Haydar’s message.

As of Saturday, “Hijabi” had garnered nearly 800,000 views on YouTube, and over 1 million views on Facebook.

Haydar, who appeared in the music video at 8 months pregnant, told Buzzfeed last month that she “didn’t wait to deliver the baby and have the ‘perfect body’ before making the video.”

“In a lot of ways that’s what the song is about. It’s about tearing down the invisible structures that oppress women in ways most of us don’t even realize. Hijab, pregnancy — none of it holds me back,” she said.

“In light of the current American government’s agenda to demonize and malign the bodies of women, Muslims, and others, like trans people, I’m intentionally putting out this message now to help shift the narrative back to one that is positive and full of love,” Haydar added.

The video for “Hijabi” features a diverse group of Muslim women, and Haydar said the song especially intended to empower black Muslim-American women.

“I give full respect and reverence to who and where this art form comes from,” Haydar told the website Mic. “It was born of the plight of black America. It sought to create beauty from struggle — to create joy in the midst of oppression. This is resistance music.”

While most of the online feedback praised Haydar for empowering minority women, “Hijabi” did face backlash from conservative Muslims who said the song was disrespectful.

Haydar however, appeared to be unfazed by the criticism, jokingly asking critics why they were “watching haram [forbidden] stuff.”