Anoushey Ashraf speaks out on scrutiny faced by muslim women

Television host and public figure Anoushey Ashraf has opened up about the constant scrutiny and judgment that Muslim women can face

KARACHI: Television host and public figure Anoushey Ashraf has opened up about the constant scrutiny and judgment that Muslim women can face over their appearance, lifestyle and personal choices, saying she often feels caught between expectations from both religious and non-religious circles.

Ashraf shared a photo dump on Instagram featuring pictures of her outfits and personal moments, accompanied by a candid message about the pressures she experiences. Addressing what she described as the exhausting process of being judged from “both sides,” she questioned whether she was the only one dealing with such criticism.

In her post, Ashraf highlighted the seemingly endless questions she encounters about different aspects of her life, including whether she eats halal food, why she keeps dogs and whether she regularly prays. She said these questions often reflect conflicting expectations about what a Muslim woman should look like or how she should live.

Describing the experience, she wrote that she could be considered “too Muslim for some” while being viewed as “not Muslim enough” by others. She explained that she often finds herself having to prove her religious identity to some people while explaining her personal choices and appearance to others.

Ashraf pointed out the contradiction between being judged for dressing a certain way and being questioned about practising religion. She noted that wearing a skirt could be considered controversial by some, while regularly praying could also be viewed as unexpected or unusual by others.

With a touch of humour, she summed up the situation by saying that, amid all these judgments, she was simply trying to enjoy her life and hug her dog.

She then questioned why women are subjected to constant scrutiny over their choices, asking whether a woman can simply live her life without others continuously examining and evaluating her identity.

Ashraf also addressed people who attempt to place her within a particular category of Muslim identity. Rejecting the pressure to conform to a specific label, she said she considered herself “perfectly Muslim enough” for herself.

Her comments prompted a wider discussion among her followers about religious identity, personal freedom and the tendency to categorise Muslims as either liberal or conservative.

Several followers supported Ashraf’s perspective, with one describing her as authentic and suggesting that her refusal to fit neatly into a category was the reason people found her difficult to understand.

Another follower questioned the need to use labels such as “liberal Muslim” or “conservative Muslim”, arguing that Islam does not define people through such categories.

Others emphasised that faith is deeply personal and that an individual’s relationship with God should not be determined by public opinion. Some followers also called for greater tolerance, particularly towards women whose personal choices may not fit conventional expectations.

Ashraf’s post has consequently sparked a broader conversation about the expectations placed on Muslim women and the tendency to judge their faith through their clothing, lifestyle or visible religious practices.

At the heart of her message was a call for greater personal freedom and understanding, allowing women to navigate their faith and identity in ways that are meaningful to them without constantly being required to justify or prove their beliefs.