Since High school, I’d been wanting to wear Hijab and I kept telling my friends that I will wear it next year, every year. But it never happened. I always felt like I was ready to wear Hijab but reality was contrary to my belief. My friend for ten years, Anis Syakirin, never gave up on me and constantly reminded me of my goal.

In 2013, during the month of fasting, I pondered upon the idea of wearing hijab. I laid out the pros and cons  inside my mind and I kept it to myself. I knew that if I wore hijab, I would have to slightly change myself, particularly my dressing. One morning, after I had Sahur (an early meal that marks the start of the fast) with my family, I tried to sleep but I couldn’t because my mind kept racing around the idea and my heart was beating very fast. The longer I thought of it that morning, the stronger my wish to wear it got. I called Anis and told her everything. To my surprise, she took me to a boutique to buy some headscarves that very day.

I finally tried it on and my parents were totally surprised. Especially my dad because he wanted one of his daughters to wear Hijab and was totally thrilled by what he saw. On that day when I went out wearing it, I felt like people were watching me or I was an alien who didn’t belong here. After I bought a few scarves, Anis chose one out of the stalk for me to wear and I went home with my head covered. It was the very beginning of this wonderful journey.

I was pretty nervous about it a week before Eid (Islamic celebration) so I gave myself time to really accept everything. I didn’t announce it on the social media either as I was still unsure of myself and I didn’t want to be the girl who changed from free hair to hijab and then back to uncovering again. Alhamdulilah (God-Graciously) after I told everyone about it, they were as excited as I was and they were happy for me, including my non-muslim friends.

It’s already been one whole year and I’m happy that I made this decision even though at times it does become hard to make my scarf stay in place because of the material mostly but that’s not a big deal. I wore the Hijab when I was 20 years old and now I’m 22. It’s never to late to wear the Hijab. Do it for yourself and for Allah.

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There was a point in my life when I thought no one loved me so I started hating myself without realization. I couldn’t understand what was wrong with me. I heard people, whom I thought were my friends, saying bad things regarding me which I had never done. Then I decided that to move on, I had to leave certain people. That is when I decided to wear the Hijab. I always had a strong wish to wear it.

Whenever I saw Hijabi girls, I would say to myself that Masha Allah! I will be like them and please Allah too. I believed such are the people who remind us of Allah so I dreamed to be like them.

Most of us think that being born Muslims, our affection for the Lord is already great which is wrong. The more you learn about this beautiful religion, the more you love Allah.  So I gradually learned to love Him. I started questioning myself that if I really loved Allah then why am I not doing what He wishes of me?  Why do I still love this Duniya (worldly affairs) even knowing that the only reality is Akhirah (Hereafter)?  I understood that Allah removed some people from my life because they wouldn’t help in building my relationship with Him and now after all that time, I totally get it that He DOES love me! Everything I thought I had lost forever was replaced by something way better by His Mercy.

I stopped making excuses like “I am young”, “I still have time”, “yeah, someday?” I knew that wearing Hijab in France is quite difficult but Alhamdulillah, I firmly decided to do what He wanted because after going through so much, I realized that Allah always knows what is best for us. I had to attend university that year but couldn’t do so because of an issue with my passport and took a break instead.  Besides, schoolwork was a real “problem” for me. I took it as an indication, a sign from Allah that this is the right time to take the big step. So I finally wore the Hijab and it felt like a proof of the fact that Allah always decides what is best for us! He is indeed the best planner!

I understand that people may look at us quite differently but in the end, who cares about the people? Our true friends will love and accept us just the way we are and help us getting closer to Allah.

Sisters, always remember to  be proud of your Hijab.

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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 grew up with a mother
who wore a piece of cloth
over her hair.
It was just another part of her,
like her gentle blue eyes
and morning prayers.

But as I became older
The childhood filter faded away
and I heard what people would say,
and wouldn’t say.

5-letter insults were not as bad as the sharp stares
that shredded the pride I had for my mother.
But the questions aimed at her
-rarely inquisitive
and mostly insensitive-
haunted me everywhere.

‘Do you ever wash your hair?’
‘Are you bald?’
“Do you have a bomb under there?
‘Do you sleep with that on?”
“CAN YOU HEAR OKAY UNDER THERE?”

I began to detest
that piece of cloth
that labeled us as ‘oppressed’
and screamed- never whispered-
that we were different, odd,
Wrong.

Now, I am proud
of this piece of cloth
that has enough heart and bravery
to defy society’s conception of beauty
to declare the existence of modesty
and to scream- not whisper-
I am Muslim,
different, beautiful,
Strong.

_________________________________

More on author: www.facebook.com/linaabojaradehart

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