At any given time of fraught discussion about immigration and nationwide id, the hijab has grown to be a flashpoint in addition to a symbol of solidarity, with New Zealand Primary Minister Jacinda Ardern donning a hijab following the Christchurch mosque shootings, and Fox Information host Jeanine Pirro drawing criticism for asking hijabs online whether or not U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s hijab reflects beliefs “antithetical to your U.S. Constitution.

Controversy flared domestically previous calendar year when WGN-Television set news anchor Robin Baumgarten instructed Chicago fashion blogger Hoda Katebi, who wears a hijab, that she didn’t seem like an American when she criticized U.S. coverage. Baumgarten later apologized.

In response to this sort of high-profile incidents, the Tribune interviewed six Chicago-space Ladies about why they have on the hijab, what it means to them, and what varieties of reactions they get. The Gals interviewed were being from families with roots in Syria, India, Africa and also the Palestinian territories. They have been black, white and brown, suburban and urban, immigrant and American-born. They spoke of bigotry and acceptance, of spiritual devotion and private identification.