It has taken me a while to decide how to begin writing this story, but I will start by introducing myself. My name is Diana; I am an ordinary person of flesh and blood. I grew up Catholic, in fact my whole family is. I currently attend to a university and work in a police department. I could tell you detail by detail about my life and my experience, but I would take many pages for that.

Several years ago I felt lost; I felt blind not knowing where I was going in life. During all those years I have devoted my time to find myself. It was as if asleep. Over two years ago I was introduced to Islam, a religion that seemed so peaceful for me and I began to feel very interested about Islam. I am a highly conservative person; therefore I decided to do more research on Islam on my own. I read and learned a lot about Islam. I attended a few times at the mosque near me and observed the women wearing their hijabs and the beauty and meaning that comes from it. I realized I had found what I wanted, what I needed, but I was terrified about my family’s reaction. I had many dreams in relation to Islam and my family too. They were peaceful dreams where I wore a hijab and my family understood and supported me over the decision I made.

Finally, after all this time I decided to take the next step. I went to the same mosque with a friend who talked to the sheikh about my decision.

I feel blessed that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) has allowed my lips to say “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

After three months and nine days from when I converted into Islam (12/15/13), I can still feel so much emotion in my heart and tears rolling down my face every time I remember that moment. I started wearing the hijab the same day I converted into Islam because I embrace the beauty and the true meaning of wearing a hijab. I have also noticed that people treat me different, but in a better way. I feel blessed wearing my hijab and for the first time since that day, I feel so calm, in peace, and awake. Alhamdulillah for all the blessings I’ve received and Inshallah my family will understand and support me in the kind of life I’ve made peace with. Beauty is modesty and I feel happy to say that I feel secure, respected and proud to wear my hijab. Hijab is my Beauty, I am hijabbed and I am proud of it.

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I converted into Islam almost one year ago (May 7, 2013). I never thought I would fall in love with a religion so beautifully humble. I’ve come a long way from where I was a year ago. I used to roam this world with an empty feeling inside my heart before Islam. People always ask me what is my testimony from Islam. I could name them the many blessings Allah has sent me this past year but that still couldn’t sum everything. So I simply reply with a smile and say my happiness is my testimony. I found that not only did my life spiritually change but so has my life around me. One week after I converted into Islam I began to wear my Hijab. I had let my parents know I converted so I felt that I had nothing holding me back from covering. I have always been a person that would careless what the people around me think, so when I wore my Hijab people would stare and I would smile back thanking Allah for blessing me with happiness. I think wearing the Hijab is such a beautiful look on women and I support WHD. Knowing that all around the world there are millions of women feeling as empowered and beautiful as I do is what fuels my spirit with happiness. Subhanallah I even saw my younger sister who is not Muslim wearing Hijab with me. Inshallah I will continue learning more about Islam so I can enlighten those around me of the peaceful religion.

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“Have you always been in our class?” One of my classmates asked me that during my Summer intensive Major British Author’s course. The odd part was that there were only seven students in the classroom. I was always the first to arrive, always spoke in class, and the last to leave. The only thing that was different about me was that I was wearing hijab.

I had converted to Islam in early 2011, but I waited to wear the hijab until my return to the USA after I had a semester abroad in Eastern Europe. My parents had been nervous about travelling while wearing hijab. I decided to wait to commit to wear it out of respect for their wishes.

July 5th, 2011, was the first day I ever wore hijab. I wore a red patterned hijab and a dress. I felt cool and comfortable, even though it was a 95 degree day. My teacher just smiled at me when the other students were treating me strangely. On my way to my car a couple of guys started flirting, and making ‘cat-calls’ at me. I was so shocked that a man would see a woman dressed in modest clothes, and flirt! For the first time in my life, I actually had the courage to respond to them (something I had never done before). I asked “Would you talk to your mother or sister that way?” They seemed completely surprised I responded (I guess that does not happen to them very often). They quickly said “no”, and ran off. I felt fabulous so I went to the masjid to pray dhuhr before my next class.

After I got my spiritual boost, I felt ready for my mid-term presentation, worth 1/3 of my final grade. I had worked for weeks on PowerPoint presentation and speech. I tried on dozens of outfits to find  the perfect one. I wanted my hijab to be secure so I pinned my scarf under my chin and wrapped one corner of the square on to the top of my head and pinned it to a tube under-scarf with a straight pin. I looked confident and professional. When my finished my speech and smiled, the audience and I heard the pin ‘pop’ open and it fly across the room! The square quickly became an unrecognizable mess of fabric that I had to pinch tightly up by  my chin, until I could be excused to the restroom. I tied a knot in the scarf and drove home.

On the ride home, I realized how important my modesty is to me. The idea of showing my hair, totally freaked me out! It is such a important part of who I am. This was the moment I realized how committed I am to wearing hijab and that I really want to continue to wear it. I committed to wear it in public from that day on, and I have never broken my promise to myself and to God.

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It was the way my guy friends would lower their gaze and suddenly change their entire demeanor that drew me to Islam. When a woman in hijab passed, they would all stop in their tracks, look at the floor and display shyness. I did not understand why so I asked why, and they told me the word in which I never equated with women before that day, they told me she was honorable.

In a sub-culture of society where honor only defined the armed forces, I never imagined that just because I was a female, I could deserve that honor, as I kept looking I learned that it is Allah who bestows honor. This was one of the reasons I became a Muslim many years ago.

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I converted to Islam in 2011 after two years of studying it. I simply fell in love with Allah and with the message of the Qur’an. I was deployed in Afghanistan when I took shahada over Facebook chat with a friend, and hijab wasn’t an authorized part of the Army uniform. After I returned home that summer, it took me the better part of a year before I started wearing it all the time.

I’ve now been a Muslim for almost 3 years, alhamdilullah. I wear hijab because I want people to recognize me on sight as a Muslim woman. I recently got hired, after six months of job searching and rejection, by a company who thought my hijab was indicative of conviction and inner strength. They saw it as an asset, not a liability! So, to all my sisters who think nobody will hire them if they wear hijab: if it’s that important to you, remain firm and trust Allah. He will provide!

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I embraced Islam in the year of 1978, Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah). I have to admit that the first time I took my shahadah (testimony of faith) in 1978, it was mere lip service  without much ‘real’ commitment but I told myself I got to start somewhere and somehow.

Being a free thinker all the time has not brought me any sense of longing in a literal manner. Brought up in a simple family where life is so free and easy during the early 70’s and poverty was the name of the game but blessed with a very strict father, Alhamdulillah.

As I slowly educated myself about Islam, I became much more committed. I revived my shahadah over and over again in my five daily prayers, Alhamdulillah.

Of course, donning the Hijab had not been easy for me. Initially, I disliked covering my beautiful hair. It took me five years after my conversion to know the wisdom behind hijab. Finally, I started by covering my hair halfway. I was still trying hard.

Unfortunately, even my ‘half’ hijab was very unwelcoming in my family.  I felt like I was playing ‘hide and seek’ game- wearing it quickly when I got out of my house and taking it off quickly when I came back. Thinking back, I really dislike those ‘peek-a-boo’ days.

Now, I am able to don my hijab fully.  Allah (swt) has lightened my path and guided me truly. All praises are due to Him! He is the Greatest! There is none truly worth of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His Last Prophet. Masha’Allah.

Just like a Chinese saying to “Be content when you have your position”.

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I am a revert to Islam. Even before reverting, I started wearing hijab simply because I am fascinated by the beauty of it. Until one day, I started reading and researching about Islam and finally read the Holy book, Qur’an, especially the first surah (chapter) on it. I cried and I can’t explain how I felt that day. The next thing I knew I embraced Islam and it’s been four years now that I’m a Muslim! Alhamdulillah (praise be to God).

I wear hijab at work. Everyone at work asks: what’s the essence of wearing one? They even make fun of it. I answer them back saying “this is obeying the Creator by veiling oneself.” However, I firmly wear it every day. Those scary looks became friendly. I have hard time wearing it from the first day since I’m the first Muslim who wears Hijab at work.  Alhamdulliah, Allah (SWT) gives me strength to continue wearing it with head high beyond the discriminating remarks.

In the coming February 1^st, I will support World Hijab Day by asking some of my officemate to wear one. InshaAllah (if Allah wills), this activity will help others realize that hijab is not just a religious covering but a way of maintaining purity and modesty.

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I am 20 years old. I am the only Muslim in my whole family. I wear my hijab proudly. It’s a way I can show what I believe in. Hijab made me confident. Islam made me absolutely happy, and gave meaning to my life. It showed me a lot of things: how to be confident, patient, compassionate, and unobtrusive. I notice the beauty of nature; every single little things, how to help others in a good way, how to be thankful, and accept bad and good things. I know that He would never place me a situation that I can’t handle. I am unutterably happy because Allah showed me this Religion. I wear hijab with pleasure, and I don’t fear because I rely on Allah in every single thing, and I know He’ll is protect me, insha’Allah!

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