Reisa Aulia Sodikin, Difa Safrina Fadilla, Tiara Dewi Ibnatun Sholihat, Fitri Farida Solihati, Hisny Fajrussalam, Muhamad Tisna Nugraha, Sofyan Iskandar, Yayan Nurbayan, Uus Ruswandi
For Muslim women, the hijab is more than clothing; it represents identity, faith, and commitment to Islamic teachings. Yet in countries where Muslims are a minority, the hijab frequently becomes a target of stigma and discrimination. This study analyzes the forms of discrimination experienced by hijabi women, the factors driving these challenges, and how Muslim communities respond. Using a narrative literature review, it examines academic studies, policy reports, and grey literature from diverse contexts, including Europe, the Global South, East and Southeast Asia, and Anglo-Saxon countries. The findings reveal that discrimination is multifaceted, ranging from social exclusion and employment barriers to restricted access to education and the criminalization of religious symbols. Key drivers include radical secularism, majoritarian political agendas, and securitization narratives that frame Muslim identities as threats. In response, Muslim communities mobilize through legal advocacy, social movements, digital activism, and transnational networks to resist discrimination and defend religious freedom. The study underscores the need for legal reform, cultural awareness, and community empowerment to build inclusive public spaces. Its main contribution is enriching global discussions on religious freedom, gender equality, and social justice in pluralistic societies. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Department of Information Systems and Technology Education, Purwakarta Campus, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia; Department of Elementary School Teacher Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Purwakarta Campus, Bandung, Indonesia; Department of Islamic Religious Education, Postgraduate, Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Pontianak, Pontianak, Indonesia; Department of Islamic Education, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Gunung Djati, Bandung, Indonesia
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