One day, I was on my way home from the middle school I attended when I was harassed by a group of girls. This was after 9/11 and it was unexpected as I attended a middle school in Hamtramck, Michigan, with about an 80 percent Muslim student population. So, I thought I blended in until that dreaded day and suddenly, I found myself on the guard.

Still, my shock and understanding of what was happening came about gradually. I had yet to fully grasp what had happened and what was happening all around me. For example, I heard news about elderly men being attacked on their way to the masjid.

When I turned 15, I had applied for an admin job in Taylor, Michigan that was owned by two Muslim doctors. The one who took my interview said, “You will have to remove your scarf if you want to work here.” I politely said, “Okay,” and left. When I got into the car, I felt the pangs of hurt that even our ummah couldn’t stand up for Muslim women. I didn’t take that job.

By 2006, while attending Wayne State College and participating in various organizations including the Muslim Students’ Association and halaqas (Arabic for “Islamic studies”), I took the time to reflect. I was also going through my first identity crisis at the time and wanted to further understand my purpose as a human being, as a Muslimah, all the while pursuing my dreams of becoming a journalist. Therefore, through my MSA circle, I learned how to be unapologetically Muslim in all areas of my life. We prayed together in library corners and empty classrooms; we volunteered at various charities and attended lectures. At internships I had, I asked for accommodations to pray, oftentimes explaining why it was important to me and gaining the opportunity to practice my religion. I remember sitting in an editorial meeting where I overheard a reporter talking, in disdain, about Muslims passing out Qurans. Later on, as we ate together, that same reporter asked me questions about Islam and Muslims.

Those experiences helped me discover the beauty behind hijab, behind being visibly Muslim.

Sometimes, it got exhausting, feeling like I was the only one or that I was being asked because I was being judged. However, I grew to accept that people are just curious. And as a journalist, I also ask a lot of questions.

In 2012, I began working for CAIR Michigan, where I learned first-hand about the harassment, hate incidents, bias, Muslims being put on watchlists and Muslims being harassed by the FBI. That job took what I had already experienced and showed me the extent of it. That knowledge equipped me with the tools, language and understanding of what was at stake when we didn’t speak up. A decade later, I am seeing women and men all over the world, via various notable occupations, from Media all the way to the Olympics, being unapologetically Muslim.

Two decades after 9/11, as a journalist, when I interview people, some get shocked, surprised, but oftentimes happy, to see someone like me on the other side of the screen or microphone. In many ways, we are all only beginning to heal from the aftermath of one of the greatest tragedies that ever happened.

About author 

Nargis Hakim Rahman is an award-winning Bangladeshi American Muslim journalist and writer. She is a graduate of Wayne State University with a BA in Journalism and a Psychology Minor. She grew up in Michigan, Detroit, USA, where she is passionate about community journalism. Nargis hopes to give American Muslims and minorities a voice in the press. In fact, she is a reporter and producer for WDET 101.9 FM. Moreover, her written work has appeared in various media including The Huffington Post, NPR, YES Magazine!, Haute Hijab, Tostada Magazine, Eater, Model D, Detroiter Magazine, The Muslim Observer, Brown Girl Magazine and Metro Detroit Mommy.

Website: https://nargisthewriter.com/

Twitter, Instagram, Facebook: @nargisthewriter

The post “Unapologetically,” Visibly Muslim appeared first on World Hijab Day.

On my last early morning in Prince Edward Island, I visited a beach that was completely empty. I looked in every direction and there was not a person in sight.

No people around meant I could take my hijab off. So I did. The Atlantic Ocean breeze blew through my hair.

I didn’t know I would, but I cried big, hot tears. Because it felt wonderful. I was spending time with the ocean and some birds, none of whom looked at me or cared that I was there. And I wondered, “Is this how it feels to not wear hijab?”

I walked, and walked, with my orange hijab balled up in my fist. I looked into the vast body of water, and at the sky, and at my feet, and everything in between. I thanked God for bringing me here, to a place I have wanted to visit since I was a child.

And then it was time to go. I looked at my hijab and then in the direction of the parking lot. From far away I could see tiny figures and I knew a few people were starting to arrive.

I could’ve walked to my car without my hijab. No one here knows me. I could’ve pretended I was someone else for a moment. I could’ve felt the breeze for a bit longer.

But I didn’t. I said goodbye to the sticky salt wind, and I put my hijab on. My hijab blew in the wind, but it didn’t feel the same. Then I walked back to my car, re-entering the world as a Muslim woman.

A woman who is looked at, judged, and always held to a higher level of scrutiny. A woman who just wants to live her life, but is seen as a flag bearer for this faith. A woman who is imperfect, but has to hold up an image of perfection so as to honour others like her. And it’s so, so tiring. No man can understand this heaviness.

But as I walked back, I said to Allah: I do this for You and no one else. And though it’s hard, I will hold onto it. Tightly. Fiercely. With vigour and patience.

There is no other path I would choose, because He chose this for me. And I love and obey Him.

In Jannah, I’ll feel this breeze in my hair again. Cool and gentle and kind, carrying a scent that is better than that of a thousand oceans.

I will wait for that day. I think I can be patient for a while longer.

The post I took my hijab off today appeared first on World Hijab Day.

About 4 years ago, I met the kindest and warmhearted woman and her Muslim family so that was my introduction into what World Hijab Day (WHD) is.  Ever since then, I have felt strongly about supporting and honoring her and her fellow sisters for their freedom of choice.  Ever since, I have been educating myself about Islam and realized I was as ignorant as the news media had programed us to be when we saw hijab wearing women and thought they were suppressed and submissive.  We take their acts that appear to be submissive when in fact they are a peaceful people and feel it is not their right to antagonize or incite conflict.  Anyway, I forever wish peace for my friend Fatima and her family.

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I met a  Muslim gentleman who introduced me to Islam.  I wanted to learn more about Islam in order to better understand his lifestyle and his choices.  I immediately fell in love with Islam and within a few short months, decided it was what I’d been searching for all along!

On May 26th, I began wearing the hijab.  I noticed instantly that wearing hijab gained me respect which I’d never  known before.  People apologized for using foul language within earshot of me.  People offered assistance when not necessarily requested.  At a restaurant, a man stopped me from ordering food that had been cooked with pork, because he knew, since I was wearing hijab, I could not consume pork.  It blew my mind!

On June 6th, I took my shahada (testimony of Islamic faith).  It was a bittersweet day.  I was overjoyed to revert to the religion I had fallen in love with.  My (Catholic) family, however, was not thrilled.  My mother even disowned me for  some time. This quickly changed my mood.  Though, in the end, I didn’t allow it to ruin my day.  A week later we had a family meeting  and worked things out.  My family may not understand, but they now support my decision.

I have been told by a few different people that hijab suits me.  I love wearing hijab.  My dà’ì says it makes me even more beautiful than he already thought I was.

It bothers my daughter that people sometimes stare, but it doesn’t bother me.  It hasn’t bothered me from day one.  I knew what I would face them and I know those who stare are just ignorant.  I pray that Allah, one day, opens their eyes.  I know I made the right decision.  I am happy with my choice and my knew life!  Alhamdulillah!  Allahu-akbar!

The post My mom disowned me after I accepted Islam appeared first on World Hijab Day.

I was born to a Muslim family in Bangladesh. My family was not that religious. My mother did not wear hijab. She was a beautiful, stylish woman. I say ‘she was’ because sadly she passed away from breast cancer in 2007. We moved to London, England in 2004 and that time I was this rebellious teenager who would wear jeans, bunk school and shout at her mum. My mother changed after her diagnosis. She became serious in her prayers, Quran recitation and she began wearing the hijab. At late nights, I would find her crying and supplicating to Allah for forgiveness. You see her illness was terminal. She did not have much time. I was too self-centered to realize that. Gradually my mother lost her hair, beauty and health. She was admitted to a hospice where she gave out her last breath.

For the first time I witnessed death. With my very own eyes. I washed her dead body and attended the funeral prayer. Deep inside, I was empty. Few days later, I touched the Quran for the first time and read it. Islamic shows on TV interested me more than worldly channels. I read this book about death where it says – ‘ Every soul shall taste death’. The punishment in the grave and in Hell for disobeying Allah scared me. I was changing then bit by bit… Finally I began wearing the hijab.

Covering my hair and body completely! It was a new me… I was reborn. I have reverted from the darkness to this Light. It has been 8 years and I am a happy Hijabi along with being happily married and also a very happy mother! My mother is not here today to see all these but I believe it was her tears and prayers to Allah that helped me receive His guidance. Allah guides whom he wills and He guided a sinner like me.

Please mother, forgive me for shouting at you, for hurting you. You never stopped loving me. Ya Allah! Bless my mother with Jannah (Paradise) and bless me as well, ameen.

Dear sisters, life is short. Wear hijab to please Allah. Don’t care what society will say. Live to please Allah, not society.

The post I have reverted from the darkness to this Light appeared first on World Hijab Day.

I started wearing the hijab in 1999 but there were times when I would take it off and flaunt my trendy hair. I was not born a Muslim but  converted out of love and marriage which now I believe is the turning point of my life. Allah wanted me to find peace through faith and it has guided me on my every day life.

Allah paved the way for me and since coming home from the Hajj (pilgrimage) last October, I do not leave the house without my hijab on. It made me understand that I am a woman in this dunya (world) and I serve only Allah and I have to heed Prophet Muhammad’s teachings – A woman needs to cover up and be modest for her own good.

Yes, people stare at someone with revealing clothing and styled hair. But when you die, woman, will that bring you closer to God? That was in my head ever since my stay in Madinah and Makkah for the Hajj. Will Allah be pleased with me? Will my husband love me more? Will my Christian family like the new me?

In my heart, there is only one thing that I value. What will become of me on the day of judgment? I fear therefore I obey, I submit, and I surrender myself.

My hijab and my abaya (long over garment) is keeping me on the right track. My prayers, so far, has been answered. My stresses has been relieved. I feel beautiful in my own special way.

Discrimination? Oh yes plenty! I was belittled for wearing the hijab but it did not stop me. Taxi drivers refuse to take me to where I want to go. Security guards at malls stop me and take a long time searching my things. Some people even raise their eyebrows and talk to me as if I am uneducated! I fought, sab’r (stay patient), I struggled. As long as it is not Allah who will discriminate but only people in this dunya for my choices, then, I am ready…

My simple explanation to those who ask me why I cover up?: I WANT TO BE LIKE MARY (Mother of Jesus (PBUH)) WHO WEARS THE ABAYA AND HIJAB AS WELL. You can see her in the Christian pictures wearing such, right? And then, I stop and smile.

The post Discrimination? Oh yes plenty! appeared first on World Hijab Day.

I was born in a Muslim family but if you knew how I lived my life as a teenager and as a young professional, I would probably be the last person you could ever imagine wearing the hijab. With that, I meant I used to join beauty pageants and fashion shows. I used to value the trends more than modesty in dressing.

When I was blessed with a child, I wanted to start life over. I suddenly wanted to wear the hijab! Ultimately, I knew I wanted to raise my son as a practicing Muslim. My wearing the hijab came as a shock to everyone, even to my own mother but she supported my decision anyway. My husband would proudly tell people that nobody forced me to wear the hijab and that it was out of my own free will.

Wearing the hijab brought me peace of mind, contentment, and self appreciation like I never felt before. I no longer feel like I have to follow the trends to be appreciated. After all, the only appreciation I must seek is from the Almighty and Merciful Creator.

The post From beauty pageant to full-time hijabi appeared first on World Hijab Day.

Recently my friend notified me that my story that I submitted last year for world hijab day made the rounds back onto the page again. I thought I’d share what I’ve learned in my one year of wearing hijab. While one year is a short time in comparison to the 24 years I’ve been on this earth, I must admit that I have learned a lot in that small amount of time. Not only have I learned more about myself, but also a LOT about other people and their perceptions of the world and me in hijab. I thought I’d hash out a few of the things that I have come to find out in these last 365 days. I hope this helps others as they embark on this journey of hijab as well.

1. You can’t (and shouldn’t try!) please everyone.

Even when wearing hijab, if not because of it, people will love to judge you. The worst part is that most of the judgement will come from other Muslims! One person will think you are too conservative because you wear hijab, but the next person thinks you are too liberal because you wear jeans. But you know what? Their opinion doesn’t matter! You didn’t put on hijab for people, you put it on for Allah, because you feel it’s important for your growth spiritually. As long as you feel good about how you wear your hijab, no one else’s opinion matters.

2. You are a strong and independent woman! Skin doesn’t determine your strength!

Don’t be fooled by cultural feminists, you don’t need to show some skin to show your strength and independence as a woman. While some women feel that showing cleavage and leg empowers them as women, I feel like my hijab empowers me. While this is a topic for its own post…in a nutshell, hijab doesn’t mean you can’t speak out or have an opinion.

3. You will be treated differently

No matter what people tell you, you will be treated differently. Your friends will need to adjust to you as a hijabi (if they knew you before covering), especially if you partook in activities that are unbecoming of a Muslima (Muslim woman). For instance, now that clubbing and drinking are a no-no, some friends may not find you as interesting or fun to hang out with. You know what? That’s ok. For every person that thinks you are boring, another person finds you inspiring! I have a friend who loves to discuss my (and her) spiritual journies, including coming to hijab. Once on the city bus I saw a girl wearing a scarf loosely over her ponytail, and when she saw me she straightened the scarf to cover her head completely, and then smiled at me. I smiled back. You are making a difference, whether or not you see it.

Also, sometimes you get the stink-eye, but other times you are treated with the utmost respect. I was flabbergasted when a young man (maybe a bit younger than me) stood up on a crowded bus to give me a seat. That never happened to me before I covered. Could it be that maybe there was just one gentleman on the bus that day? Maybe, but when it happened a few more times I started to think it wasn’t coincidence.

4. People are going to assume

People are going to assume that you think a certain way or believe a certain thing because you wear hijab. They think they know why you started to wear it (ESPECIALLY if you just got married to a Muslim). Don’t let that get to you! If you weren’t being stereotyped for wearing hijab, you’d be stereotyped by your race, or your style, or having tattoos, or your hair cut, or your accent… people always want to fit others in a little box, and you don’t need to worry about that. Just keep on keeping on, sister. Their assumptions don’t define you.

5. Everyone’s journey is different

While some people find hijab to be easy, others find it so, so hard. If you are struggling to keep your hijab, while your friends or family seem to be wearing it with ease, that’s ok. There’s nothing wrong with you and there’s nothing strange about your struggle (or lack thereof!) Some days I love my hijab, other days I don’t even want to leave the house because I feel weird with it on. Fortunately, more days I love it . In any case, one person’s trials don’t apply to everyone- but take comfort that someone out there is feeling the same as you are, even if it’s not at the same time.

The post 5 things I learned after wearing hijab for 365 days appeared first on World Hijab Day.

I’m a very new Muslim convert. I was raised in a Christian family. I am living in Holland, where it’s not so easy to be a Muslim. I’m just started to wear  hijab  few weeks ago and experienced the greatest feeling ever. When I wear my hijab, I feel perfectly happy, free, confident, strong, secure, and honorable. Because of prejudices, it’s not easy to wear  hijab in my country and without hijab I feel empty, naked, and uncomfortable. No one forced or asked me to wear it, but it feels great and amazing. It makes me so happy and it’s showing me the way of heaven , Alhamdulillah.

The post Hijab confession of a Muslim convert appeared first on World Hijab Day.

I was born in a Catholic family and had no idea about Muslim religion and beliefs. To be honest, I thought hijab was a way of repression against the women but this last year, I spent a lot of time with many Muslim people. Finally, I realized the true meaning of hijab. I love it and also wear it frequently. Be proud of who you are!!!

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