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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Although at times it’s very difficult to cover in western culture but I am thankful each day to be a Muslim. I support my fellow sisters from all walks of life and I am grateful for the overwhelming support World Hijab Day has gotten. Alhamdulilah (Praise be to Allah)!!! My journey to becoming a Muslim started as one simple curiosity. I never had the intention to accept Islam. I simply wished to know more as I became curious both because of the Muslim friendships I had developed on social media and all the negative news about Islam.

I knew better than to judge anything without actually educating myself outside of the mainstream media. I casually inquired into authentic Islamic sources and spoke to and directed my questions to my Muslim friends. I was drawn to Islam because of the way my Muslim friends conducted themselves, their mannerisms, and how happy and peaceful they appeared to be. After a year, I took my Shahadah (testimony of Islamic faith) as I wanted to be sure if I could commit myself as I knew it would mean a lot of changes in pretty much all aspects of my life. Dressing as a Muslim in Canada has its challenges and I appreciate those who show respect and tolerance for the freedom to practice one’s faith and choice of dress and I show the same respect back.

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 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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