Muslim headscarf in modern Spain

Abstract

The article deals with contemporary Spaniards’ attitude to the desire of some Muslim women living there to wear the traditional Islamic head covering (hijab, niqab, burqa) in public places. The rejection of this practice on the part of certain social groups has created a conflict, revealing the peculiarities of the socio-cultural situation in the country. Compared to other European countries that are faced with the need to respond to similar challenges, Spain has a centuries-old and dramatic history of relations with the Arab-Muslim world, rooted in the collective historical memory and reflected in various aspects of traditional culture (rather in a negative way). At the same time, after the end of the authoritarian era, the social atmosphere here largely contributed to the intensive rejection and marginalization of the former cultural and ideological orientations, including ethnic attitudes and stereotypes and in favor of the liberal postulates. The arguments of the supporters and opponents on the permission to wear the hijab reflect the contradictory values and worldviews that coexist and compete in the current Spanish society. Despite repeated attempts to change this state of affairs, legislative prohibitions against wearing hijab at the national level do not exist.