Imane Raisa, born in Morocco in 1996, is at a pivotal moment of personal rebirth. Not long ago, she felt the pressure to sign a contract and chose to end her marriage, a union that kept her trapped in the role of a traditional wife. This summer, she also left behind the veil she wore for thirteen years. Now using the stage name Imane, she speaks with a clear, unshaken voice about this new chapter in her life. The transformation is visible in her songs, where she often explores a young woman’s introspection and the biases she faced as a child. It also emerges in her writing, particularly in her most recent book about her journey since arriving in Spain.
From Spain to El Periódico, she has stated that freedom does not come from removing the veil alone, but from the ideas that reside inside a person. She recalled this in a phone call from Catalonia, the region she reached as a child after leaving her native Morocco at age eight.
Q. In your song a girl speaks about the right to wear the veil without discrimination, but you no longer wear it. What has changed in recent years?
r. The theme centers on my own shyness and a broader call for respect for all women. It is about choosing what one wants to wear and how one expresses herself. No one should dictate such choices. If a woman wants to wear a veil, she should have that right; if she chooses to remove it, she should decide for herself as well.
Q. This freedom isn’t universal everywhere.
r. Some women wear hijab proudly, while others are pressured or forced. Neither scenario is inherently superior. Freedom, for me, lies in ideas, not in clothing choices.
Q. Do you feel we were pushing you to lift the veil in the West?
r. Absolutely. In the West, the perception often is that Muslim women are not free. There are factions that coerce veiling, and others that push the opposite view. Real freedom means having space to decide for oneself, with support and respect from others.
Q. Not everyone will agree with your stance.
r. At times I feel like a target. Muslims and non-Muslims challenge me for my different perspective. I wear the veil when I choose to and I do not when I don’t. The veil, in my view, is only a small detail of what true freedom means.
Q. In what sense?
r. Some see me as the person I was when I wore the veil; others say I’m liberated now that I don’t. But I want to be understood as a free person because of my ideas, not because of a piece of clothing.
Q. How did this process unfold?
r. Removing mental burdens was key. Some feminists claim Western women are less pressured because they can reveal more, but freedom isn’t tied to dress. It comes from a fundamental shift inside a person.
Q. How did family expectations shape your path toward marriage?
r. When she reached eighteen, pressure from family and social norms grew. She prioritized harmony at home, often setting aside her own desires. She did not marry for love, anticipate a different life, and hoped for change beyond traditional roles.
Q. It doesn’t feel easy to accept that pressure.
r. The independent, transparent self she embodies today emerged gradually. In the past she worked long hours, studied psychology remotely, and fulfilled duties expected of a traditional wife. A turning point arrived when the weight became too heavy and she chose to redefine her life.
P. When did everything change?
r. She realized her own priorities after years of putting others first. A period of intense personal strain, including psychological pressure and manipulation, culminated in divorce. She then drew up a list of goals she had long postponed, stepping into a new future with resolve.
Q. How is her relationship with faith today?
r. She respects the freedom of others to live as they choose, provided there is mutual respect. For her, the essence of faith is to be a good person, beyond race, gender, or religion. Some may call her a sinner, but she remains committed to living with integrity.
Q. Has she faced criticism from within the Muslim community?
r. Not all Muslims share the same views. Morocco’s strong traditions shaped her upbringing, as did Spain’s history. Time is needed for change to take root within communities, she believes.
Q. Were you surprised by the hate online during the World Cup match between Morocco and Spain?
r. It was disappointing to see racism and insults surge online. The ugliness reflects broader societal issues, not just public sports moments. The real challenge is to build a society that values dignity and respect for everyone.