This commercialization has desacralized the hijab for many traditionalists. When a woman flashes a "Shopee link" in her bio after a "Hijab Sama" video, the religious act becomes a transaction. Critics argue that this is the ultimate corruption of Islamic values—using a symbol of faith to sell eyeliner and shawls.
In some regions, local by-laws still mandate the hijab for civil servants, leading to career-ending consequences for those who resist. 3. Hijra and the Political Identity
The viral controversies are not isolated incidents; they are symptoms of deeper, ongoing national struggles over the hijab's role in public life. This commercialization has desacralized the hijab for many
On the other hand, some women face the opposite pressure. There are documented cases of employment discrimination, where Muslim women are denied jobs or forced to remove their hijab to comply with a corporate dress code. A case in point is the 2025 controversy at Studio XXI Citi Mall Kapuas, where a cinema allegedly banned its female employees from wearing the hijab, sparking public outcry and condemnation from organizations like Muhammadiyah. Such cases reveal that even as some institutions seek to force the hijab, others attempt to erase it from the public sphere. As one researcher notes, this structural discrimination significantly impacts women's mental health and violates their religious freedom.
These events show that the hijab is not just a personal choice but has become a highly charged political football, used by various groups to challenge or defend competing visions for Indonesia's national identity. In some regions, local by-laws still mandate the
In late 2025, Indonesia was captivated by the story of Deni Apriadi, a 23-year-old make-up artist (MUA) from Lombok who had been living and working as a woman named "Dea Lipa," complete with a hijab. The revelation that a man had been wearing the hijab for years sparked outrage and fascination. Netizens dubbed him the "Sister Hong version of Indonesia," referencing a similar case in China.
Critics argue that the viral push for more conservative, uniform hijab styles sidelines traditional Indonesian clothing, viewing it as "not Islamic enough." On the other hand, some women face the opposite pressure
On one hand, many Muslim women in Indonesia face intense pressure to wear the hijab. A 2025 survey found that a significant portion of the population supports Islamist policies, including compulsory hijab. Human Rights Watch has documented systematic pressure in schools, where non-Muslim and Muslim girls alike are bullied, humiliated, and threatened with damnation if they do not cover their heads. The Indonesian government has attempted to intervene, issuing a joint ministerial decree banning state schools from mandating hijab. However, this decree has itself sparked fierce controversy, with conservative communities like the Minangkabau in West Sumatra viewing it as a threat to their religious and cultural identity.