Anoushey Ashraf has gotten real about the relentless scrutiny Muslim women face for simply existing — down to the most routine choices in their everyday lives.
The television host made the admission in a candid Instagram photo dump, opening with a pointed question to her followers: "Hello, fellow Muslim liberal girl. Can we talk about some of the things that exhaust me?" She went on in her caption: "Currently (90% of the time) being audited by both sides. Surely I can't be the only one going through this?"
The post featured glimpses of her outfits alongside the questions and criticism she said she encountered — from whether she ate halal and why she kept dogs to whether she prayed. The central message was clear: “Too Muslim for some. Not Muslim enough for others.”
“Having to prove my Muslimness to the very Muslim Muslims and my lack thereof to the non-Muslims. Having to explain my faith to some and my outfits to others. A skirt? Radical for some. Regular praying? Radical for others,” she wrote.
Anoushey then summed up the contradiction with a touch of humour: “Meanwhile, I’m just trying to hug a dog.” “And honestly? Can a woman just be a woman without everyone conducting an audit?” she questioned.
She concluded the post by addressing those trying to categorise her faith: “To everyone trying to figure out what kind of Muslim I am: Perfectly Muslim enough for me.”
Anoushey also asked her followers, “How’s everyone else surviving the Muslimness audit?”
Her post resonated with many followers and fellow celebrities, with stars including Syra Yousuf showing their support in the comments.
