Hijabi Twitter user @Mimi_xRx - who goes by the name Mimi - recently posted a photo of herself getting a tattoo, and was subsequently heavily criticized for a personal choice.
The 19-year-old Iraqi woman attempted to smash the misconceptions revolved around hijabis by posting the photo with a caption that read:
"Who said hijabis can't get tattoos?"
She was soon met with backlash, with many calling her out for "going against Islam."
"I received a lot of backlash which was expected. The idea of a Muslim getting a tattoo is 'taboo' and 'westernized'. I just want everyone to know that my two centimeter tattoo isn't the end of the world," Mimi told StepFeed.
"We have way bigger things to even worry about!" she added.
The 19-year-old got a crescent moon inked on her inner ankle.
"I got it because it represented a transformation," she told StepFeed.
A number of Twitter users attacked the 19-year-old Iraqi, undermining her commitment to Islam based on their personal opinions on the matter.
In Islam, there are multiple opinions when it comes to getting inked.
One school of thought follows a statement in one of the six major Hadith (a collection of reports describing the life of Prophet Mohammed) which suggests that tattoos are not permissible in Islam.
Another school of thought sees no issue with permanent ink.
"Tattoos are permissible irrespective of whether they are permanent or temporary," Sayed Ali Sistani said.
Twitter users are completely dismissing this very fact. Instead, self-proclaimed "halal police" and "Twitter sheikhs" believe they have the right to judge Mimi's personal choices in the name of religion.
"You are setting a bad example"
Much of the criticism Mimi had received proved that society holds hijabis in higher esteem than other Muslims... only because of a veil covering their heads.
"I do think most of the criticism came because I am a hijabi. A lot of Muslim girls (non-hijabis) and guys messaged me saying that they’ve been open to having tattoos and receiving little to no hate," Mimi told StepFeed.
"At the end of the day we’re all Muslims, no one is held to a higher standard," she added.
"I think the worst part is being dehumanized; the thinking that I'm less of a human because I chose to represent my religion ... that I am less of a person," she added.
Many called Mimi a "fraud"
"The number of times I've been called a fraud because of my tweet and people telling me to take it off instead of encouraging me to better my religion is ridiculous!" Mimi told StepFeed.
"Just because you don't fit their ideologies of a 'perfect Muslim' doesn't mean you stop practicing all together, you don't lose faith," she said.
Mimi did not back down...
When her tweet went viral, she decided to try and help out humanity by sharing a donation link
She even replied to those trolling her
Despite all the hate, many stood in solidarity with Mimi
Savage responses soon followed
"Mind your own business"
"It's your life and nobody should tell you how to live it"
"Will you get my name next?"
Some started a regular conversation with Mimi because ... humanity
"Live your religion the way you want to"
Hijabis don't seem to catch a break
From Islamophobes endangering their lives to white feminists insisting on "liberating" them, and all the way to the halal-police scrutinizing their every move, hijabis really don't seem to catch a break.
But, hijabis have clapped back at their haters more often than not, fighting the stereotypes with humor, facts, and pure savagery.