Why Is This Hijabi DJ So Controversial?

The green stage lights illuminate a woman in a black niqab, her eyes fixed on the decks, a white headset dangling from her head. Her hands are busy fiddling with the turntables as 128 bpm EDM blares out the massive speakers.

The young woman, Ariska Wigatiningtyas or DJ Chika when she's on stage, quickly found herself in the middle of a firestorm of controversy online. Can the world of the religious, of conservative Islam, ever coexist with Indonesia's dance music scene? Is there space for "good" Muslim women at nightclubs and bars, spaces considered "palaces of hedonism" by some?

The internet thought not.

"She's crazy," one user wrote.

"Hopefully she will find enlightenment and step back into the right path for violating the hijab," said another.

"What are you trying to do by dressing this way huh?" another asked.

Ariska doesn't care. the 20-year-old says she only wore the niqab twice, both times at gigs in Java. Neither gigs were in a nightclub, despite what the comments section believes, she says.

In her daily life, she, like many Indonesian Muslims, wears a hijab. She comes from a musical family in Lampung, in Sumatra, where she learned to play guitar at an early age. She's since learned to play the violin as well. But it's DJing and EDM that pulled Ariska to the stage, and into the sometimes harsh spotlight.

"They may judge me as they please, but what's important is that I don't violate any of the norms of Sharia law," Ariska told VICE Indonesia.

But this is Indonesia, a country where even today some nightclubs enforce an unspoken "no hijabs" rule despite the country's Muslim-majority population. Religion and nightlife coexist in a weird balance—one where everything is fine as long as the wide gap remains intact.

So how does this young woman plan to navigate these choppy, and often turbulent, waters? We reached out to her to find out.

VICE Indonesia: So how did you first get into Djing?
Ariska: I started to learn turntabling about a year ago at a DJ school in Jogja. I would travel to Jogja two to three times a week for a month. Since then, I've gotten a lot of opportunities to play at various events.

So why DJ in the first place?
I didn't plan on it. I didn't think I would ever choose a profession that invites such negative backlash from society, especially since I wear the hijab. Why not just play guitar or some other instrument? It was actually quite a challenge to become a DJ. I had no idea what life is going to be like later on if I continue down this path. But I thought why not just stick with it and see what happens?

There aren't many hijab-wearing DJs in Indonesia. I think I'm the only one in Central Java. So why not? DJs are in high demand to perform at outdoor shows and events. DJing is just like playing an instrument, but you use turntables instead. But people have this negative association of DJs with nightlife. That's really it.

You've been wearing a hijab for some time.
I also used to skate in a hijab. There wasn't much of a transition to wearing one. I just took it easy.

Are your parents supportive of your decision to DJ?
My parents are always supporting. They only asked me to prioritize my education and not play way late at night or at clubs.

This video of your New Year's Eve performance got a lot of negative feedback online. Why is that?
In my opinion, being a DJ in a hijab is no different from being a singer or a guitar player in a hijab. The only difference here is society's mindset. They already had a negative view of me. Wearing a hijab is an obligation, anything beyond that is my own business with God. There's nothing inherently bad about my profession. I mean playing an event is basically the same as playing in a mall or an open room. Perhaps because of the lighting, they thought i was in a club or something.

But they may judge as they please. What's important is that I stay in my lane and don't violate the norms or Sharia law.

These images of you in a niqab are the most controversial.
People were unaware of what kind of show that was. Most people see the veil and think Sharia law, and that it represents purity. Those people can't accept my actions. Why wear a niqab and DJ at all? But that's OK, perhaps it was my fault. After that, I stopped wearing the niqab. In all, I only wore it twice while Djing. Those two times were both at big art events with Arabic-Indian themes, so I thought it would be appropriate. Today, I wear my hijab during my act.

Did you ever think to quit EDM after all this controversy?
Doing something you love is about being comfortable in your own skin. This is me expressing myself. And I didn't violate any laws. I also didn't do anything negative. Perhaps those with the negative presumptions will see it differently, but hopefully there will be less negativity in the future. I want to show that even when wearing the hijab, you can still be productive as long as you stay within Sharia law. Stay committed to your responsibilities as a Muslim.

Do you have a message for other young Muslim women?
Don't be afraid to do something that represents yourself. I chose to express myself through music.