By Noora Khan (USA)
When I first came to America five years ago, I wasn’t aware of the culture here. I still remember when I made friends. I got so happy to meet new people and having someone to talk to! As time passed, when I used to travel with them, they used to ask me to be quiet in front of people so that I don’t embarrass them. They used to always make fun of the way I looked, dressed, and my accent.
I always tired to fit into society by being like them but guess what? I couldn’t! They bullied me even more. My life was messed up because I was trying to impress people who couldn’t even understand the simple saying of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH): Be kind to one other. I became so depressed and tried killing myself three times.
One day, this wonderful lady at the Masjid looked at me and said: “You’re so pretty but you know what? You can be prettier.” She took out a hijab from her bag and handed it to me. I started wearing hijab from that day. At first, I wasn’t fully committed to hijab. I used to remove my hijab at parties. It took me full three months to understand the meaning of hijab.
I started praying and educating myself more about Islam. Now, alhumduillah (praise be to Allah), my life has changed for better. The people I used to cry to, talk to, removed me from their lives. But I wasn’t sad at all. I was so happy because I knew I had Allah, alhamdulillah.
I never want to go back to my old life. This piece of cloth changed my life. I truly believe, when you do things for Allah and know true Islam, you know peace.
May Allah keep you on the right path always, aameen.
Congratulations on discovering hijab. May Allah keep you on the right path and fill your life w/ worthy friends, ameen.
I am very sorry that your friends left you for this, and that they made fun of you for your different culture. I am glad to hear that you are more at peace now, and I hope that you will find many friends and kind people who love you for who you are.