By Tia

I am an Australian convert to Islam. Growing up, I never followed any religion but was always taught to believe in God and to respect different religions. I did attend christian churches occasionally but I never felt contentment when I was there. I was eight years old when I first heard about Islam and for some reason my interest was peaked.

I am totally blind so I had to rely on my father to read books to me and eventually when I was 11, I was able to get a screen reader on my computer so I could research Islam as much as I wanted. I went to high school and didn’t think about islam for many years but in 2010 I had to have both eyes removed. I was so scared.  I started praying and when I pulled through, I knew 100% Allah was with me.

It took me another 3 years before I would take my shahadah (testimony of Islamic faith) but when the day came, I felt like I was complete and the unexplained emptiness I felt suddenly disappeared. My parents didn’t have a problem with me becoming Muslim but they were worried about me wearing the hijab because I already stand out because I use a white cane. I really wanted to wear the hijab but I didn’t want to worry my parents.  So for the first 6 months I wore it only sometimes. I went back to stay with my parents in that time and really missed my hijab. I came back to Brisbane and I knew I was ready to wear it full time. 18 months has passed and my hijab is my life! I feel naked without it.  I feel people are more admirable of me instead of scornful and I feel like I earn the respect of men because of the way I conduct myself and guard my modesty. Insha’Allah we are all guided to the straight path.

Jazak’Allah for reading.

The post An inspirational blind woman’s journey to hijab appeared first on World Hijab Day.

I am 24 and recently reverted to Islam. I have been wearing hijab for just over three months now.

I don’t just like my hijab, I love it. It has become such a part of me and I would feel very off without it. The first day that I started wearing it, it just felt so right.

My hijab is not a burden or a pain or a nuisance. It is not hot or itchy. It is not in the way, annoying, or cumbersome. It is not time consuming or ugly. It is not oppressive or restrictive; it does not prevent me from doing anything. My hijab is nothing bad, nothing negative, and nothing harmful.

My hijab is pretty and nice and awesome. It is comfortable, warm, and protective. My hijab is empowering and powerful.

My hijab reminds me that I am always in the presence of Allah swt. It reminds me of my faith and to stay strong in it.

My hijab says please don’t be negative around me; I don’t have room for your darkness. It says make small talk with me. It says I am strong. It says look at me with respect; look at me not my body; have interest in me not my body. It says please refrain from hitting on me because I do not need your remarks.

I would take what I have now over what I used to have any day. People do not hit on me; I do not get cat-calls. I can just go out and not be bothered, or if people talk to me there is no underlying intention.

My hijab lets me know that I am too beautiful, too precious, and too important to be put on display. It tells me that I am something more than I ever realized.

That is why I choose to not only wear, but love my hijab.

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I loved having people take a second look at me because it made me feel beautiful. But after learning and understanding more about Islam, I realized that I was wrong. I then started to wear hijab with the encouragements and motivation from my love ones.

Starting was not easy. I got negative reactions from people around me due to my drastic change. To make matters worse, my soul mate seemed distant and cold towards me. I was confused and upset because with a heavy heart, I had to remove my hijab to save my marriage.

Again with the removal of my hijab, I was shunned by the people who thought I am doing wrong. Alhamdullilah, now Allah has opened his heart to allow me to wear hijab. I feel so much happier. I feel secure and I urge all women to support wearing hijab.

The post I had to remove my hijab to save my marriage appeared first on World Hijab Day.