By Diana Toupss
Hijab is hard!
While wanting to present a peaceful, gentle face of solidarity with my hijabi sisters on World Hijab Day (WHD), I walked around the store, smiling and nodding at everyone from behind my COVID mask and headscarf. I wanted to present a dignified face, worthy of the honor assigned to the headscarf: humility, obedience and chastity.
Well, for one thing, putting on a COVID mask while wearing the hijab is very difficult. You practically must undress from the scarf to put the mask on. So, if you want to do it right and not expose your head in the parking lot, you must put on the mask before you leave the house. As an inexperienced hijabi, I struggled in the parking lot and a nice elderly man asked if I was okay. I nodded and gave him a bright thumbs up.
Having completed my shopping experience, thinking it went rather successfully, I realized that my headband had shifted backward and the front of my hair had been exposed for I do not know how long. Not a humble portrait at all! I was so disappointed with myself.
Then, I made grocery runs throughout the day until I felt I got the hijab right. As much as I would like to paint a fully accurate picture, I feel I do not need to relate the problematic experience, for example, at my monthly facial and eye-waxing appointment. Hijab is hard!
The idea seemed so simple: Don a headscarf for one day to raise awareness while showing solidarity with my hijabi sisters. Simple, yes, but as all brilliant, God-given ideas are, WHD turned out not to be simple for me. Still, it was inspiring, moving and thoughtful…a joyous occasion!
Aside from some of the difficulties I have already described, the hijab is also warm. WHD 2022 fell on a very crisp day in February. In order to be completely fair to the immersion experience of trying on a hijab, I vow to don it again in July!
WHD is inspiring because it’s so hopeful and refreshing to realize that such a simple gesture, multiplied by hundreds of thousands of similar gestures, can create the ripples needed to change the world! Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Participants of WHD, by their silent and gentle actions, create such ripples that raise awareness, spread hope and impact hijab-banning laws!
WHD is moving because I got to witness the happy tears of hijabi sisters virtually, particularly those in India, who realized they were not alone. For one day, they were heard, seen and loved. For one great day, they were given hope they can be accepted and understood.
WHD is thoughtful. I attempted to wear the hijab and present myself in a quiet, humble manner, to reflect on the positive merits of covering. I prayed for humility and reverence. Unexpectedly, the hijab gave me a sense of confidence and inner peace.
Moreover, I was filled with the kind of joy that comes from knowing I’m part of something good and worthy. God was with me and He was encouraging me; not simply to cover my head for one day, but also to advocate for my persecuted sisters. I donated money in support of their raising awareness all year round.
Hijab is hard, but I remain joyful because there never has been a better time to support women’s rights. Hijabis are discriminated against by many, including misogynistic Muslim communities and my fellow Christian American citizens. We can do so much better than this! We can be a part of something good, beautiful, true and filled with love.
About the author
Diana Toupss is a former educator inspired by, “all the Mother Teresa’s” out there: ordinary women changing the world with everyday actions, one person at a time. She’s a promoter of peace by way of justice, and the founder of Bridges For Bethlehem, a US based 501 C3 dedicated to all in need, regardless of race or religion, in Bethlehem, Palestine, and surrounding villages, because: we are all connected by the same powers of truth, beauty and goodness.