I’m 25 years old and Caucasian. I was born in a Christian family.

During my high school years, I pursued a modeling career. I can recall thinking “This is what I want. I want to be a model.” So my father was active in assisting me in this career path. We made profiles online, went through a few agencies. After many searches, I finally found an audition to be with an agency. They signed me on and from there began the training and prepping. I made contacts with scouts from different TV shows, modeling agencies, and film. A few months after working with the agency, I decided I no longer wanted to pursue modeling. I look back now and I believe Allah had a better plan all along for me to be where I am now, and not modeling and showing my body.

I found Islam and took my shahada (Islamic testimony of faith) one year ago. My journey to Islam began when I became friends with a Muslim for the first time almost two years ago. I was practicing Christianity at the time but I was always eager to be closer to God. Prior to meeting my Muslim friend, I had no idea what Islam was or who Muslims were. I can recall seeing hijabis but I never saw them different from one who didn’t wear hijab. I was brought up to love people no matter how they dressed or appeared. Alhamdulillah.

This Muslim friend of mine began to educate me about Islam and from that moment on I did my own research. I fell in love with the religion, and I finally found what I had been searching for. I spent the next five months studying Islam and reading Quran. I began dressing more modestly and I embraced the hijab before I took my shahada, finding comfort in the protection it was providing me. Islam taught me that it’s ok to cover yourself and be appreciated for your intellect. I feel more beautiful in hijab and although I struggled with it at first, I grew to love it. Now, I can’t see myself living without it. My mother grew to be accepting of me wearing hijab and now she fixes it before I walk out the door and wakes me up for Fajr (dawn prayer). Allahu akbar (Allah is the Greatest)!

The post From runway model to full-time Hijabi appeared first on World Hijab Day.

I’ve been wearing hijab for almost 8 years. My Hijab is beautiful part of me. Material covering my hair should not make me seem withdrawn or creepy. If you ask me, I think it makes me more open to answering questions and hearing comments. I think it makes me different. I think it makes me strong. Being covered doesn’t limit us.You see we are not controlled by fashion. Only thing that we want is God’s pleasure. We are given only respect, and never treated bad.  Greetings from Bosnia and Herzegovina for all covered and non-covered sisters, and all of you who are being part of this event.

I am a Muslim woman
Feel free to ask me why
When I walk,
I walk with dignity
When I speak
I do not lie

I am a Muslim woman
Not all of me you’ll see
But what you should appreciate
Is that the choice I make is free

I’m not plagued with depression
I’m neither cheated nor abused
I don’t envy other women
And I’m certainly not confused

Note, I speak perfect English
Et un petit peu de Francais aussi
I’m majoring in Linguistics
So you need not speak slowly

I run my own small business
Every cent I earn is mine
I drive my Chevy to school & work
And no, that’s not a crime!

You often stare as I walk by
You don’t understand my veil
But peace and power I have found
As I am equal to any male!

I am a Muslim woman
So please don’t pity me
For God has guided me to truth
And now I’m finally free!

by Jenn Zaghloul

The post Being covered doesn’t limit us appeared first on World Hijab Day.

I am a single mom of four lovely children ranging from 3 to 19 years old and currently working full-time as a Curriculum Specialist with an international publishing firm. I was previously teaching English and Culture to foreign students in a language centre and now I conduct training for teachers in the region.

I wear the hijab not because my late husband told me to or because it was a fashion trend. To me, it was something I did to bring myself closer to the Creator and to make others appreciate who I am and see beyond the physical beauty.

Putting on the hijab is never a hindrance to my work because above all, people trust that I am driven and efficient. In fact, some non-Muslims find it attractive and are fascinated by the hijab I am wearing and how I have always looked professional. I do not have to show more of my skin to grab the attention of others. In fact, the less I show, the more respect I get. I have been wearing the hijab for more than 2 decades now and it was a meaningful decision that I have never regretted.

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