I’ve been wearing Hijab for almost my whole life. I have pictures of me wearing Hijab when I was only 6 years old. I have worn it with full contentment. My parents even tried to convince me into leaving it by telling me that I was quite young for it but I always insisted upon wearing it. Yes, I used to take it off occasionally when I was younger, but that was rare. What made me wear Hijab was seeing my older sister donning it, so I was just copying her. Also the beautiful religious environment that I was raised in helped with my positive decision. Once I understood the true, beautiful, and deep meaning of Hijab, I never regretted wearing it at such an young age. I enjoyed my childhood as normally as any other kid. My parents would take us to the beach, swimming pools etc. So wearing Hijab didn’t steal away MY FREEDOM. Actually it was totally the other way around.  Hijab gave and still gives me the complete freedom that I deserve as a Human being.

A lot of our friends (mine and my two sisters’)  have worn Hijab because they were inspired by us and that is something that I really thank ALLAH for, that He chose us to deliver such a beautiful message.

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I have not stopped covering my hair since I started wearing the hijab and that has taught me a lot about myself. The hijab has been an important part of me for a long time now and it has made me be closer to my faith. The fact that I have continued to wear the hijab symbolizes my commitment, which is an important trait to have.

Although people still stare at me when I go to new places, I have learned to embrace the hijab. I love the fact that it sets me apart from most of my peers because it gives me a chance to stand out. My school is already full of diversity, so I am glad to add my own piece to the diverse circle. Additionally, I love answering the different questions people ask me because it is an opportunity for me to correct the misconceptions they are accustomed to . The hijab is a powerful piece of clothing because it highlights my modesty and demonstrates my strength. It is a part of my identity that completes who I am and I would be uncomfortable without it.

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My father is Lebanese and my Mother is half Spanish and half Philipina. I was not raised in a strict environment and no one forced me to wear hijab. I have always planned to wear hijab but somehow insisted on putting it off for later thinking that I have enough time since I am young. I started wearing Hijab on the 15th of March 2014, a day after a car accident which I survived miraculously from. For the first time in my life, I found peace knowing that no matter how many people plan on hurting me and no matter what situation I am going through, I always have God on my side to protect me. I finally found peace in pleasing my Lord.

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I have grown up in an area where they weren’t many Muslims at all, from what I can remember from my childhood. The only Muslim family in the primary school I went to was my family. I started wearing Hijab (head scarf more precisely) at the age of 9. At first the children around me were curious as to why I wore a Hijab but never criticised it. By the time I was 11, the bulling kicked in. The other children around me started making small comments such as “Why are you wearing a curtain net?” When I started high school, the bullying got worse. Other pupils started tugging on my Hijab while laughing and made comments such as “You’re not allowed to wear hoodies in school” and “I know why you wear that.  You’re hiding a bomb underneath it.” Nevertheless, I stayed strong and still carried on wearing the Hijab.

By the time I had reached the age of 15, the bullying had stopped but I still felt as if I was excluded because I wore a Hijab. I thought that maybe if I didn’t wear it, I would have more friends etc. But I was wrong.  Wearing a Hijab doesn’t make people turn away from you.  It’s their understanding of the Hijab that makes them turn away from you. When I moved to a different school, I made many friends quickly because the school was more diverse. The pupils there had grown up with more Hijabis in their school life. They understood the meaning of Hijab.

Having said this, the students that studied with me in my first year of University had different views. They thought that the Hijab was a symbol of oppression and tried to convince my that I would be happier if I let my hair loose. I understand it wasn’t their fault on what they believe.  It was due to lack of education about the true meaning of Hijab.

I believe World Hijab Day to be a fantastic event as it allows people to understand the true meaning of Hijab worldwide. Worldwide awareness is essential when people lack education in subjects like this. People worldwide are encouraged to understand that Hijab is not a symbol of oppression but in fact a symbol of freedom. For me, Hijab is my freedom as it protects my modesty and prevents evil eyes from looking my way. It is a symbol of class, honour and dignity.

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 I became Muslim in October of 1999 Alhamdulillah. When I converted to Islam, my family didn’t agree with my decision at all. I even provided them with literature about the fundamentals of Islam and what’s required of a Muslim. But that meant nothing to them. Like all Muslim women in western society, I experienced hardships because of idiocy and the severe lack of knowledge of Islam. One predicament was on September 12, 2001. I was driving to school and when I stopped at the traffic light, a man in a truck pulled up beside me and yelled profanities to me and said,”Go back to your own country!” Being an American woman… my instinct at that time was to answer him. So, I did. I said,”This is my country.” As soon as I said that… he threw an apple at me which hit my face and left a huge bruise on my face. I didn’t go to school as planned. I went to my mother’s house because of how upset I was. My mother of course persuaded me to take off my hijab. And so… I did.

I didn’t start wearing it again until September 11, 2012 (the date was purely coincidental by the way). I am happier with my hijab. It is apart of me and who I am. I am a MUSLIM woman and I am proud! Non muslim society believe that muslim women who wear hijab are oppressed. Where in fact, it is those same non muslims who oppress us by trying to force us not to wear hijab. I wear hijab anyway and endure being teased and made fun of by people (including my family) but I wear it to please Allah and Him alone. Alhamdulillah.

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About a year and a half ago, after extensive research into Islam as a Christian evangelist, I reverted to Islam. Islam is a perfect religion with a Perfect God. In the beginning I did not wear hijab, because being from southern California I saw (and knew) no one that wore one. As Allah began to convict me for being disobedient, I got up the courage to wear one and was quickly ridiculed by strangers for my appearance. However, I drew strength from Allah and have been wearing hijab consistently since Ramadan of 2013. Alhamdulillah I will never go back, I am empowered and free. May Allah bless all my American sisters for their courage and perseverance.

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