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!

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You are a tiny piece of cloth that adorns thousands of Muslim women’s heads as a sign of faith, religious conviction, and modesty. I bet you never intended to be the center of so many controversies. So many feel it is their duty to make a judgment about you. A symbol of oppression they say! All this leaves me quite confused as I have chosen to wear you out of my own free will as a sign of humility and obedience to my Creator. Far from being subjugated I feel liberated! I am certain you must be devastated when you hear the comments pointed towards you while you have no voice to defend yourself. Let me tell you that I feel proud, complete, and at peace with you on my head.

You are a part of my identity, of who I am and I would be incomplete and disheartened without you. When I hear that women are being forced to remove you because it is not deemed as an appropriate attire, it really saddens me as while wearing you my face is still showing so I do not understand ….Why so much negativity you ask? It is out of ignorance, fear of the unknown.

Some women wear you as a fashion statement around their neck, this is acceptable because it is fashion. Should the hijab be showcased on the catwalk by a modern fashion designer, the perception would change immediately and it would become acceptable because you would now be considered as the latest trend. Now you are not accepted since you are the result of faith… And in a world and society that are proving to be more and more hostile towards you, I can feel your sense of isolation… I know people have a lot of prejudices about you, please don’t take it to heart. Hang in there dear hijab.  While all the negative comments about you make a lot of us feel dehumanized and disrespected, you will always remain the symbol of freedom and choice for us and we will never discard you because others are dictating us what to do so based on their personal opinion.

Yours truly,

Sajeeda from Canada

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Which is more concerning to the world? –  A fully covered woman or a barely clothed child?

Actually, if we try to focus on the amount of attention dedicated to the “ hijab is an oppression” issue, we would instantly notice that the world is really driven by Islamophobia to the point that we have forgotten about the real calamities befalling the people as I write this!!

A photo of a Syrian refugee boy walking on the ice with bare feet would get million “likes” on facebook, twitter, and all the social networks from thousands of people. However, none of them is angry enough to walk the streets asking governments to end wars and save those poor children!!

At the same time, we witness thousands and thousands of raging marshals and their manifestos requesting governments to ban “ hijab” in the universities, at work and public parks etc.

What a shame! Isn’t it?

A woman who practices her basic human rights raises more rage than a poor child deprived from his basic human rights!!

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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’ve started wearing the hijab when I was ten years old.  It was my choice.  Of course,  no one forced me to wear it. I know wearing the hijab at an young age was not easy but I was deeply sure that it was my fate.

You know being a Muslim in France is not easy especially for a woman. I had to take off my hijab when I was at school. It was the worst thing that has ever happened in my life.  My hijab is a part of my identity, my hijab is my life. And every time I had to remove it, it was like walking naked in front of hundreds of people.

If you want to wear the hijab, don’t change your mind because thinking of wearing it is already a step toward your long journey of a Muslim woman.

Thanks to my youtube channel, I can tell “My hijab story” to many people. When some of my subscribers send me emails saying they started to wear the hijab, I’m like the happiest woman in the world,  alhamdoullilah.  I’m so grateful to Allah.

We don’t need to be rich to be happy.  We just need to be consistent with ourselves and mainly with God .

The post A sister recalls her struggle with France Hijab ban Law appeared first on World Hijab Day.

My beautiful strong willed sisters, you are half of my dignity. You carry yourselves with the most modesty and self love. Even though there is so much misunderstandings and hatred towards you, you should know that I and many other admire your strength.

I am a convert and it’s the most beautiful feeling to know what to strive for. In Sha Allah (Allah willing), one day I’ll wear the Hijab. But until then, I would like to say I support you and will protect you. I love you all.  You’re so precious!!! Nothing can break you. May Allah reward you. One love.

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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 reverted  to Islam three years ago. I’ve wanted to wear hijab since then but was always scared of my parents not allowing it since my dad has such a hatred toward Islam. I asked their permission in September 2013 because I didn’t want them to be offended if I just started wearing it. I was so happy when they said I could. I felt so safe and good about myself since I was following what Allah (swt) commanded us to wear. Being covered and modest is such an amazing feeling.

I had began to get so attached to my scarves. I wore it until December when they told me I wasn’t allowed anymore. My dad said since I live in a “Christian household”, I can’t be all covered. He said he didn’t like it because it was bad for his reputation and if I wore it again he would rip it off my head. So I stopped wearing hijab.

In June 2014, I decided I care and fear Allah (swt) way too much to not to wear hijab. My dad is scared to be mistaken for Muslim because MY hair is covered. God is and always will be most important. I put my hijab on at the bus station when my parents drop me off and when I’m done with doing things I return to the bus station and take it off. It sucks wearing it in secret but its worth it; knowing I’m pleasing our Creator.

The post If I wear Hijab again he would rip it off my head appeared first on World Hijab Day.

 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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