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Photos: Indonesian women’s ‘Niqab Squad’ fights face veil prejudice

Horse riding and archery can be difficult sports, more so when one wears a niqab. But that's not stopping a group of Indonesian Muslim women called the ‘Niqab Squad’ who have banded together to combat prejudice against the face-covering veil.

Updated on: Nov 30, 2017 12:37 PM IST

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Riding a horse or nailing an archery target is tough at the best of times --it’s even harder when you’re wearing a niqab. But that isn’t about to stop a group of Indonesian women who have banded together to combat prejudice against the face-covering veil, which has been at the centre of a heated global debate over religious freedom and women’s rights. One of them is seen riding a horse in Bekasi. (Adek Berry / AFP)

Updated on Nov 30, 2017 12:37 PM

Riding a horse or nailing an archery target is tough at the best of times --it’s even harder when you’re wearing a niqab. But that isn’t about to stop a group of Indonesian women who have banded together to combat prejudice against the face-covering veil, which has been at the centre of a heated global debate over religious freedom and women’s rights. One of them is seen riding a horse in Bekasi. (Adek Berry / AFP)

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The “Niqab Squad” poses for a photograph after participating in archery and horse riding lessons in Bekasi. They meet to recite the Koran or, at one recent gathering, mounted horses and tried their gloved hands at archery, activities endorsed by the Prophet Mohammed. (Adek Berry / AFP)

Updated on Nov 30, 2017 12:37 PM

The “Niqab Squad” poses for a photograph after participating in archery and horse riding lessons in Bekasi. They meet to recite the Koran or, at one recent gathering, mounted horses and tried their gloved hands at archery, activities endorsed by the Prophet Mohammed. (Adek Berry / AFP)

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One of the niqab-wearing novices fired off arrows with suction-cup tips. A fellow member added that, “Even running is okay. If you’re used to it, it’s comfortable. The most important thing is that you don’t see it (niqab) as a burden and you’ve got to be patient.” (Adek Berry / AFP)

Updated on Nov 30, 2017 12:37 PM

One of the niqab-wearing novices fired off arrows with suction-cup tips. A fellow member added that, “Even running is okay. If you’re used to it, it’s comfortable. The most important thing is that you don’t see it (niqab) as a burden and you’ve got to be patient.” (Adek Berry / AFP)

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Members of the squad stretches prior taking archery lessons in Bekasi. Seeking out other women facing discrimination online, Indadari Mindrayanti founded the squad this year after switching from hijab --a headscarf that leaves the face visible-- to the more restrictive niqab in 2016. (Adek Berry / AFP)

Updated on Nov 30, 2017 12:37 PM

Members of the squad stretches prior taking archery lessons in Bekasi. Seeking out other women facing discrimination online, Indadari Mindrayanti founded the squad this year after switching from hijab --a headscarf that leaves the face visible-- to the more restrictive niqab in 2016. (Adek Berry / AFP)

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The “Niqab Squad” chats after their archery and horse riding lessons. Some of the group’s fast-growing membership of 3,000 women in Indonesia, as well as Malaysia, Taiwan and South Africa, say they’ve been labelled as extremists and are regularly asked questions such as “why are you dressed like a terrorist?” (Adek Berry / AFP)

Updated on Nov 30, 2017 12:37 PM

The “Niqab Squad” chats after their archery and horse riding lessons. Some of the group’s fast-growing membership of 3,000 women in Indonesia, as well as Malaysia, Taiwan and South Africa, say they’ve been labelled as extremists and are regularly asked questions such as “why are you dressed like a terrorist?” (Adek Berry / AFP)

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Members of the squad while participating during an archery lesson in Bekasi. “Our goal is that we want to unite differences, even within Islam itself,” said Mario, who was involved in organising the event. Still, some critics see the niqab as symbolic of a growing religious conservatism that is being exported to Indonesia via Saudi Arabia and other stricter Islamic countries. (Adek Berry / AFP)

Updated on Nov 30, 2017 12:37 PM

Members of the squad while participating during an archery lesson in Bekasi. “Our goal is that we want to unite differences, even within Islam itself,” said Mario, who was involved in organising the event. Still, some critics see the niqab as symbolic of a growing religious conservatism that is being exported to Indonesia via Saudi Arabia and other stricter Islamic countries. (Adek Berry / AFP)

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The squad enjoys a moment after the lessons. Niqab Squad’s founder says she will keep trying to win over sceptics by speaking to them in a gentle, friendly voice to let people know her intentions are good, even if they’re puzzled by the appearance. “The niqab doesn’t prevent us from socialising with anyone, even if they are not Muslim,” Mindrayanti added. (Adek Berry / AFP)

Updated on Nov 30, 2017 12:37 PM

The squad enjoys a moment after the lessons. Niqab Squad’s founder says she will keep trying to win over sceptics by speaking to them in a gentle, friendly voice to let people know her intentions are good, even if they’re puzzled by the appearance. “The niqab doesn’t prevent us from socialising with anyone, even if they are not Muslim,” Mindrayanti added. (Adek Berry / AFP)

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