I just wanted to share my story, though it is not nearly as impactful as some I have read here. I am a recent convert and I just started wearing hijab full time on December 20th! I first encountered hijab when I went to study abroad in London, and I met so many women who wore it. Back then I didn’t really understand it and what it meant, but I remember thinking that these women were very beautiful, and I always wondered what I could do to look like that.

When I was first reading about Islam and contemplating whether or not this was a religion I could adopt for the rest of my life, one of my biggest struggles was the concept of hijab. I’m not a person to do things halfway- either I am a full on scarf wearing Muslim, or I am not a Muslim…I guess I’m a bit extreme like that. But either way, for me the hijab was part and parcel with converting and becoming a Muslim.

For a long time after I knew that Islam was the only thing I could possibly need in my life, I still struggled with the idea of the hijab. I dressed decently modestly to begin with, and besides, I liked my hair! Not to mention wearing short sleeves in the summer! I also struggled with what my family and friends would think.
When I started up my senior year at university here, I decided to try it out in small steps. I started wearing it every Friday for Jummah prayers (it was like casual Fridays, but better!) The first few times I wore it out, I had a weird tightness in my throat, kind of like my scarf was strangling me. But as the weeks wore on I found that when I encountered my friends out and about they treated me just the same, and alhamdulillah my mom is very supportive as well. I came to look forward to dressing up on Fridays, and became a little jealous of the friends I have that already wore it full time.

So I went to an event at the local masjid one Friday night, and the next morning I just woke up and put it back on. Since that day I have been a full time hijabi, and I have no regrets! Yes, it kind of sucks going to the gym in long sleeves and flowy pants, , yes it has been difficult to convert my entire wardrobe to be hijab friendly, and yes I get rude comments and looks pretty often. But I have my intention and I know why I chose this, and I have no regrets!

I hope that during this year’s World Hijab Day women from all over can connect with each other and learn about why different people dress the way they do, and take those first crucial steps towards understanding.

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Although I live in India now, as a teen, living on a remote island with almost no Muslims (let alone Hijab-wearing women) my struggle with the hijab was a difficult one. Although I always had love for Allah in my heart, the guilt of not obeying Him to the best of my ability was always in the back of my mind. At the time I never thought about it, but now I see and commend my mother’s bravery and spirit to stick with her decision to never stop wearing it even though I know it wasn’t easy.

I thought putting on the hijab would change who I was completely, and I was right. I’m not saying it was this magical cloth that changed me as soon as I put it on, but slowly it started to influence my decisions without me even realising it. I started to think about how my actions would affect the image of my Muslim sisters and I found myself saying no to anything that would show Muslims in a bad light, which at the same time helped me sin less.

This year’s going to be the first time I go back to the island where I grew up with a scarf on my head. When I first started wearing the hijab, I lost a lot of confidence & I couldn’t imagine going back there for years to come. Somehow, mysteriously Allah’s strength found me and I’m now looking forward to go back to my home.

Most importantly it got me closer to Allah and my Deen (religion), and I know this is just the beginning.

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I started wearing hijab since I converted to Islam almost 3 months ago, Alhamdulillah (All Praise is due to Allah)! I am living in a non-Muslim country. My conversion to Islam came with a huge social challenge. Everybody looked awkwardly at me when I would go out wearing my hijab. They laughed but I kept going and tried to be stronger. I used to cry, asking Allah (swt) (All-Praised and The Exalted) to keep me on the right path and not even let me think about taking it off.  My hijab is my freedom to be who I want and who I really am. My hijab, even if it’s a piece of material, for me, is my personality, my beauty, and my shyness. My hijab is a part of me. I love my hijab!

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I am originally from Bosnia. But grew up in the Netherlands and did not have a typical Islamic upbringing. However, on a big part, I was informed about many of the beauties of Islam.  Though it wasn’t until a half year ago, after my personal search for the truth and meaning of life, that I have found peace and solace in the remembrance of Allah (s.w.t.) and have since made huge steps to try to secure my bond with Him. Lately, I’ve been thinking of wearing the hijab but I don’t feel as if I’m strong enough to face people in my surrounding…Even though, I love everything the covering stands for. That’s why I want to thank every lovely lady that has shared her story, for you are definitely helping me in the right direction! God bless you, all sisters in faith and humanity.

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I started wearing the hijab in 7th grade right after the winter break, smack! in the middle of the school year! It was my first year in public school after 3 years in private school. I remember chewing on one of the hijab strings wondering what people were going to say when they saw me. I rode the bus to school, so slowly, everyone got to see me as they climbed aboard. The first thing one of my friends asked was “Why?” I’m not sure what my response was.That day I heard my classmates asking “Who is the new girl?” After that, things got a little hard because people weren’t so open minded. But I had my best friends on the bus to help me get through it.

High school especially was tough. Ignorant people used to throw things at me, call me names, honk the horn as I rode my bike home, yell vulgar words at me, made fun of me, called me a terrorist; it was the typical form of stereotypical racism. I even remember that one year contemplating upon taking the hijab off, but I realized that it wasn’t a solution. Eventually I stopped caring what people thought. I held my head up high and didn’t bother listening to what others had to say. That changed the way people looked at me, and I became more proud. People started to respect the fact that I respected myself. Sure, there are still some people who bother me today, but none of that matters to me anymore because the only one’s opinion I care about is Allah’s. 

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Recently, my husband and I along with our two children traveled from Hamburg to Spain for the two-weeks school break. It was our first travel out of Germany since we migrated here from Singapore. For first time, I was scrutinized ever so thoroughly and felt many pairs of eyes observing my every movement. I can totally understand how my hijab may have struck fear and worry in some given the recent influx of negative news involving Islam. I even wondered if I had not worn my hijab would it make them ‘less worried’. However, I also felt that while many were judging me, it took a lot of courage on my part to want to wear my hijab regardless of how uncomfortable I was when people stared and avoided my smile, and when airport security screened every single gadget and my body just to be safe….. that one piece of cloth on my head had set off so much concern.

A woman who choose to wear hijab, takes upon herself the knowledge that she will be misjudged, discriminated and misunderstood. But, still, that is just a minor setback. Hijab brings along peace in my heart, love for the One who creates me and strength and resolute in practicing my faith.

If motherhood completes my journey to being a woman, my hijab is the beginning of my journey to becoming a good Muslimah. Amin.

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I wore hijab for the first time in the seventh grade and I have been wearing it ever since. It only took that one deciding moment to impact my personality so deeply that I vowed never to take it off. Even so, growing up and especially going to high school to see most girls all dolled up with perfectly done hair, obviously looking pretty, made me feel kinda’ weird. At that age (seventeen), it seemed as if it’s all that mattered or there was nothing more to life than a pretty face and beautiful hair. But I decided to hold my head high and feel proud at my decision of covering up.

I still get tempted by the society even at twenty-one. I recently went for a job interview and they literally told me to take off my hijab to get the place that I rightfully deserved. My point is that there is NO job in this whole wide world that I would take off my Hijab for.  I have been through a lot, from temptations to hardships but I am determined as ever to face up to all the tests that will come my way in the future. Because I believe that it’s NOT just a covering, it is actually our key to Jannah (Paradise). In Sha Allah (God-willingly).

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Once, a boss asked me if I would remove my Hijab while working. In a calm tone (not wanting to sound arrogant), I told him that I believe that there are many job vacancies out there. But there is only one true religion. In shaaAllah (God willing), I’m able to find new job but I can’t find another religion that is pure and genuine. If I leave my Hijab for you, means, I am leaving my religion because of you. It also means that I fear you more than my Lord. Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah), with that as my answer, Allah has guided me to many beautiful and wonderful things. Alhamdulillah my current job is WAY better.

I’m writing this because I know many sisters are facing the same challengers. Some are scared to leave their job. But ironically shouldn’t we fear Allah alone? Don’t we know that this world belongs to HIM and that rizq (provisions) comes from HIM? I hope this story gives some motivation to others especially sisters in my country, Singapore.

Fear Allah, don’t fear that you are jobless. Being religious doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy this world. In fact, Allah ordered us to enjoy His blessings but without disobeying HIM.

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I started wearing hijab at sixteen years of age.  It was the first day of Ramadan and the best day of my life. It was hard in the beginning but things became wonderful afterwards. First, I lost two jobs and some friends. I also had a hard time with my family. I had no support and I learned Qu’ran and Islam all by myself. With time, I realized that God was protecting me and He had better plans for me. Islam saved me from a lot of things. I felt myself more protected, more respected, simply a better person, and more comfortable with myself. and Alhamdoulilah (God-Graciously) today, I’m more than just happy.

Hijab is necessary, Yes. But the most important thing is one’s relation with Allah and the way one tries to be a better person and a better Muslim. No matter what media says, Islam will shine anyways. I wish blessings, happiness, and love in life for everybody.

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It’s been 3 great years since I started wearing God’s gracious gift to women that is a headscarf, tudung or hijab etc. as we call it. When I began wearing hijab, I was asked whether it is going to last? I’m proud of it although, in the beginning I had moments of self-conflict like any other normal person and I thought of the consequences of continuing it for life. But I told myself that I am trying my best to stand tall and defend my dignity and pride to represent who and what I am today.

I know people are surprised, both positively and negatively. But as I remind myself everyday that I am so lucky that Allah SWT (All Praise to Him) chose me like the rest of you to be closer to Him so better now than never. I was not born an angel but thank God I experienced everything early through years of curiosity and the learning continues. It’s been overwhelming but oh well, I take it with a pinch of salt. Life is not as sweet all the time. A little bit of bitter and sour moments only make life more complete.

Little would you know that many women cover by CHOICE.

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