My first World Hijab Day experience was in 2014, so I was really looking forward to wearing a headscarf on February 1, 2015. There was just one problem: that was a Sunday and I am a devout Mormon (Christian). I didn’t feel it was wrong to wear hijab to church for a day, but I was concerned that it might upset others in my congregation. So, a few days before WHD, I posted about it in our congregation’s Facebook group. I posted a link to the WHD website and said, “this is why I will be wearing a headscarf in church on Sunday.” My hope was to prevent causing a disruption, because most of the congregants would not need to ask me about it during the service.

Well, one of the first comments was from a man who strongly disagreed. He felt my membership should be in jeopardy if I wore hijab to church. He felt that I was making a political statement and protesting our church leaders. After that, there was a lengthy conversation back and forth with most congregants supporting my decision. They cited scriptures from the Bible about it being appropriate for women to cover their heads during services. They talked about historical examples of Catholic and Baptist women covering their heads in church. I felt strengthened in my decision and resolved to wear the hijab, even to my Mormon church service.

As I walked into the church building, a man from another congregation (we share our building) greeted my husband and myself as if we were not members. He assumed we were not Mormon. It happened that we ended up sitting right next to the one man who was so against me wearing hijab to church. I felt bad about it. I did not dislike the man. I respect that he had a different opinion and at least he was honest about it. I didn’t want to upset him or disrupt his worship. I still wonder what he thought as he saw me during our services. Was his heart softened? Did he realize that wearing hijab on the outside didn’t change who I was on the inside? Did he start to think that there is more to Muslims. They are human beings too and its not just about clothing choices etc? I hope so.

At the very least, I was overjoyed that the discussion spread the word and knowledge of World Hijab Day. There are at least 100 Mormons who now know more about hijab and that the practice is part of Christian faith as well because of my participation in WHD. One woman at church said this to me, “last week I told my neighbor about you wearing a headscarf, and my neighbor started to say ‘Muslim women are so oppressed, the men force them to wear those.’ And I corrected my neighbor. I told her, ‘Actually, no, Lorelei says that the women choose to wear it and it makes them happy.'” I felt very glad inside to know that slowly, one person at a time, World Hijab Day is increasing understanding and building bridges between Muslims and non-Muslims. Thank you so much to all who are involved in the wonderful WHD Movement!

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Every time I took a selfie without hijab, I would have a strong desire to upload it on social media so that I could get as many likes and compliments as my non-hijabi friends. However, at the same time, it reminded me of the significance of hijab. The word hijab, for me, has many powerful meanings. Hijab is the protector of our dignity. It is our strongest element of identity. It shields our honor. It shows the extent and depth of our emaan (faith). We’re different from others because of this piece of cloth on our heads and sometimes, forced to face daily challenges that threaten our lives too. There’s nothing to be ashamed of because we are implementing this obligation upon ourselves for the sake of Allah S.W.T (All-Praised and Exalted) and Prophet Muhammad S.A.W ( Peace be upon him) as we believe that we will be judiciously paid back for our good deeds on the Day of Judgement.

The ladies in my family are mostly not strict in practicing hijab in their daily lives but Alhamdulillah (God-Graciously), I’m a firm wearer of hijab since I was young. I’m currently studying law at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) where I got various chances to enhance my knowledge about Islam realizing how faulted my perceptions were before!

Malaysia is a country of multiple races where you can feel being a part of various cultures and religious doctrines. I was born and raised in a society with people of different identities around me. While I was growing up, at times, I felt burdened by the teachings of Islam. I also felt abandoned among my friends because of  such religious differences.

However, I always believed that we could receive the light of faith and knowledge if we continuously followed the path of Allah. The teachings that I assumed were a burden for me, actually became the source of tranquility for my soul as I started understanding them. I was immensely happy and gratified to be a part of the World Hijab Day movement for promoting the real understanding of the concept of hijab. Alhamdulillah, I succeeded in my attempt to clear the misconceptions of my non-Muslim friends regarding hijab by elaborating the actual concept to them.

I would like to express sincere appreciation to my friends and community for keeping me motivated and encouraged in my struggles for being the real muslimah although they’re from different religions and understandings. Lastly, I would like to thank my family for giving me the courage and being the pillar of strength and support for me to write my story as they all believe that Da’wah ( Preaching for understanding of religion) can be done at any platform.

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Born in an Islamic conservative town and a religious family, we grew up believing and understanding that Hijab is a duty that is for our very best. I wore it at the age of 12. I’m 25 now. As I grew older and worked in a technical field (computer engineering), I blended in with different societies. I could see how some people looked down upon me and others never took my work seriously and refused to hire me after the first interview. At first I didn’t understand it was related to my Hijab, until some were rude enough to explicitly say it.

It never put me down! I pity them for their shallow racist minds.

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I participated in World Hijab Day today because I am a firm believer in the right for each and every woman to express herself, regardless of what faith background she is or is not from, without condemnation. I am a Mennonite (Christian), and am so blessed to have been exposed to many different faith backgrounds over the course of my life. I was blessed with the chance to work in a refugee resettlement program for a little while and worked alongside many amazing Muslim men and women. I will never forget their dedication and their compassion for other people.  It made a huge impact on my life and continues to inspire me towards becoming a better person.

We are all walking along this path, so we may as well hold hands and try to figure it out together.

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It is in our nature to protect our bodies.  So what is the problem if a woman adds just one more piece of clothing besides regular outfit, a headscarf? I believe there is no reason to refute it.  It gives such confidence and pushes you harder to put more effort because you need to be twice as better in order to prove that you, according to Islam, have no choice but to be good to yourself and others. You ought to be as much visible with the good deeds as with hijab.

What matters the most is our purpose and intentions. We believe and intend to influence positively with our moral, intellectual, and practical values as we, like many others, strive to be the best inhabitants of this world. So support us to harvest our ideas in a way that we feel most comfortable with and that includes our way of dressing too (i.e. the hijab).

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