I am a teacher and I live in a predominantly Christian country where Muslims are a minority. This reality did not hinder me to practice my faith. I confess that I have gone through many struggles just to wear the hijab. I started wearing it way back in 2009 when I was still in college. At first, I was so hesitant to wear the hijab because I was not used to it and I was studying in a Catholic university. Just imagine the struggle that a hijabi could experience in a Catholic community because she is differently and uniquely dressed. Imagine the stares she would get from donning the hijab. But Alhamdulillah (God-Graciously) my college days went meaningfully and peacefully.

I was able to find wonderful people who accepted me for who I am. I was even granted a scholarship (I came from a poor family) by the university. My professors did not treat me differently. I became friends with many students even though I had different beliefs than them.  I occasionally got annoying and wondering stares from several students which I simply ignored. I did not tell them that I am a Muslim, I just showed them that I was one by returning sweet smiles.

Then came the turning point of my life. After graduation, I started to look for a job. But unfortunately, I was not able to find even one for the various applications I had submitted. There was one school that openly disregarded me because of my religion. But this did not stop me from hoping that I would eventually land a job. Unfortunately nothing changed. So I decided to remove my hijab. It was not an easy decision for me. I asked my parents and we talked about it seriously. I even asked Allah’s forgiveness for doing so. And Alhamdulillah (God-Graciously) I landed a job. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thanking Allah not because I became free of the hijab but because despite of my shortcomings He did not forsake me. He still granted me the blessing to have this job that provides for my family.

Then on the day of Eid’l Adha (Eid of Sacrifice) in 2014, I came to realize that it had been one year since I gave up my hijab and how I felt incomplete without it. So I started wearing it again and I don’t want to remove it anymore. I promised never to make the same mistake again. Subhanallah (All Praise be to Allah), my students and colleagues wholeheartedly accepted this transformation. And I feel proud whenever I discuss about Islam and hijab during class. I feel complete with my hijab. It’s like the soul of my biological body. I feel so much respected and take pride in it. Thus, I feel empowered as a hijabi teacher.

I would be happy to read your comments about my story. Thank you all.

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When I first started wearing hijab, a lot of people treated me differently but in a good way. I remember walking in the mall so nervous because I was scared of what people will think since I live in Canadian society. It is rare to see white girls with hijab. One day, I was walking to go to work and I realized a lot of people were looking at me and facing down.

First three days were stressful but after a week I felt so good. I felt completely different and beautiful in it! People were respecting me so much more. I felt like a new me …just the fact that a lot of people were so nice and treated me differently made me so happy! Especially at work, my colleagues understood perfectly the fact that I wanted to wear it and they were also happy for me because they said I seemed happy that way and really different in a good way. The hijab makes you feel so much powerful and great …and reserved for someone that you know you are going to spend the rest of your life with.

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“Have you always been in our class?” One of my classmates asked me that during my Summer intensive Major British Author’s course. The odd part was that there were only seven students in the classroom. I was always the first to arrive, always spoke in class, and the last to leave. The only thing that was different about me was that I was wearing hijab.

I had converted to Islam in early 2011, but I waited to wear the hijab until my return to the USA after I had a semester abroad in Eastern Europe. My parents had been nervous about travelling while wearing hijab. I decided to wait to commit to wear it out of respect for their wishes.

July 5th, 2011, was the first day I ever wore hijab. I wore a red patterned hijab and a dress. I felt cool and comfortable, even though it was a 95 degree day. My teacher just smiled at me when the other students were treating me strangely. On my way to my car a couple of guys started flirting, and making ‘cat-calls’ at me. I was so shocked that a man would see a woman dressed in modest clothes, and flirt! For the first time in my life, I actually had the courage to respond to them (something I had never done before). I asked “Would you talk to your mother or sister that way?” They seemed completely surprised I responded (I guess that does not happen to them very often). They quickly said “no”, and ran off. I felt fabulous so I went to the masjid to pray dhuhr before my next class.

After I got my spiritual boost, I felt ready for my mid-term presentation, worth 1/3 of my final grade. I had worked for weeks on PowerPoint presentation and speech. I tried on dozens of outfits to find  the perfect one. I wanted my hijab to be secure so I pinned my scarf under my chin and wrapped one corner of the square on to the top of my head and pinned it to a tube under-scarf with a straight pin. I looked confident and professional. When my finished my speech and smiled, the audience and I heard the pin ‘pop’ open and it fly across the room! The square quickly became an unrecognizable mess of fabric that I had to pinch tightly up by  my chin, until I could be excused to the restroom. I tied a knot in the scarf and drove home.

On the ride home, I realized how important my modesty is to me. The idea of showing my hair, totally freaked me out! It is such a important part of who I am. This was the moment I realized how committed I am to wearing hijab and that I really want to continue to wear it. I committed to wear it in public from that day on, and I have never broken my promise to myself and to God.

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