Oppression is so last year for the hip hijabistas

Oppression is so last year for the hip hijabistas

Young Muslim women are debunking the stereotypical image of Islam by making a symbol of modesty look cool. They tell Francesca Angelini how it is possible to mix fashion and faith

Francesca Angelini Published: 19 January 2014

A still from the video introducing the Mipsterz

A video featuring more than a dozen young women skateboarding in heels, hanging out on fire exits in front of brick walls, posing on industrial shipping containers wearing oversized sunglasses and engaging in various other urban pursuits, is unlikely to cause a stir. Hip-hop artists have been producing such videos for years. But one thing sets this video apart: rather than putting on beanies, the hipster headwear of choice, these women are wearing the hijab, the Muslim headscarf.

The video, released last month, is accompanied by Jay-Z’s song Somewhere in America and introduces a new breed of hipster — Mipsterz (Muslim hipsters). Mipsterz originated as an online hub where friends could share new music and fashion tips and comment on trends, but it soon evolved into a much bigger community.

According to the New York-based group’s Tumblr page, “A Mipster is someone at the forefront of the latest music, fashion, art,