I was travelling from the UK to Nigeria with a layover in Paris, France, that year. As a “Black” Muslim woman who wears the niqab, I was highly apprehensive to say the least. I remember making a post on my Facebook wall a few days before my departure, asking if anyone had felt just as apprehensive as I, considering the strict Muslim bans in France, including that of the niqab. It was reassuring to know that their international airports made exceptions.

I don’t usually travel without my husband and/or children but, unfortunately, I had to go solo due to the circumstances at the time. To be honest, I, low-key, enjoyed the “me-time” in the sky. Travelling together with the kids is always a big hassle. My loquacious 6-year-old son doesn’t stop fighting with his 2-year-old brother, and I have to keep an eye on their 10-year-old sister to make sure she doesn’t watch unwholesome content on in-flight entertainment.

As I was travelling on a low budget, a business or first class ticket was totally out of the question. Even the economy class was expensive at the time because it was the peak of the summer holidays. However unpleasant I had expected my travel to be, it got worse before it got better.

D-day came when the flight was fully booked with not a single person wearing the hijab except I. I couldn’t even find any “Muslim-ish” guy around. Unperturbed by the glances from people of different colours and perhaps, different faiths or non-faiths, I moved straight to the window seat I had secured earlier. I fastened my seat belt and faced the window in readiness to see a clear view of the skies, سبحان الله.

However, I missed my husband. If I could have hired someone to stay with the kids for that period, I would have loved my husband to travel with me. Besides, that’s the sunnah. So, there I was, wishing that the person coming to sit next to me would either be my husband or a female.

A few seconds later, a tall, dark man, without uttering a word, plopped right down next to me. I wasn’t sure why he kept mute, but I am no fan of small talk either. So I kept quiet, too. He fastened his seat belt as instructed, blocked his ears with the headphones provided and tucked his neck in a travel pillow. We took off smoothly and the air hostesses started serving our meals.

I was served before my neighbour and as I was already famished, I started eating immediately. The hostess, a middle-aged, “white” lady, came back to serve the man beside me, but something unexpected happened.

The air hostess politely asked the man to follow her to an empty seat, elsewhere, so that I could feel free to eat my food. The man smiled at me for the first time and followed the lady.

I thanked him for being considerate and thanked the lady for being kind. I finished my food and stretched my legs across the two seats to have a nice sleep, because the man never came back!

We often hear stories of hijabis who were treated badly in public spaces. We get furious and take to social media to rant about it. However, it is refreshing to know that there are still people in the world who understand our preferences and treat us with the right dose of respect, or even a little more!

About author 

Khadijah Tijani is a Nigerian medical doctor, a creative blogger and a published author. She grew up in Ibadan, Oyo State and graduated from the College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan in 2009. After five years of practice in Nigeria, she relocated to Saudi Arabia where she worked as a resident physician in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Known as “Doctor KT,” Tijani is a women’s health advocate and a prolific health blogger for her own blog, www.askdoctorkt.com. She also runs an online platform, known as “Breastfeeding Support Lounge,” where she supports mothers towards achieving their breastfeeding goals. Tijani is the published author of “Wholesome Motherhood,” “Nature’s Superfood,” and “The Stampede: Tales of Love, Trials and Faith.”

Twitter @askdoctorkt

Instagram @askdoctorkt

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Switzerland SVP voted (52-48) to ban the niqab, a ruling which seems to only impact the 30-50 niqabi women in the country. The agenda is far more dangerous than just this one law. This issue, similar to the minaret ban in 2009, speaks volumes about the significant Swiss population who are anti-Islamic liberals who desire a “freedom of religion” with limitations for Muslims. The ridiculous justifications for banning niqab are: 1) it’s forced upon women, 2) it doesn’t assimilate well with Swiss culture, and 3) covering part of the face is a security concern.

As for the first reason, that’s preposterous and unsubstantiated. Women wear hijab and niqab by choice, and the issues within any family using social “force” or pressure are never dealt with by banning it for all women. In other words, women who choose to wear niqab for religious reasons can no longer do so because some Swiss perceive all Muslim women as oppressed? The issues of actual forced matters in Swiss families are never treated with bans, they’re treated by holding family members accountable in *actual* cases of abuse. That’s what courts are for.

As for reason 2: don’t claim freedom of religion and culture if you can’t liberally accept diversity. This is clearly an issue with immigrants and specifically Muslims.

As for reason 3: then perhaps face masks should also be banned? Niqabis are actually advised by scholars to comply with security personnel at times to remove their niqab for identification, but to prevent them from wearing it anywhere in society should be exposed for what it truly is: secular and liberal values in Switzerland are not truly liberal, and Muslims are not welcome with their diverse beliefs.

As for Muslims who don’t believe the niqab to be a religious obligation, it’s still of great significance to defend those who believe it to be obligatory. We defend it because of its valid (but minor) stance within Islamic law, as well as because the niqab ban is an attack on freedom of religion. Although it may not seem likely now, the banning of the niqab may one day lead to the banning of the hijab, particularly when many nations are more “liberalized.”

The post The hypocrisy of Swiss “liberalism” for all to see appeared first on World Hijab Day.

Thank you so much for allowing me to have this wonderful experience. I often cover my hair (it started from me being cold a lot, but now I am more comfortable that way), but wearing the Hijab for a full day was wonderful. I was very busy on WHD, but I did notice that I got a lot of respect and was treated better in some situations. Someone did tell me to “go home terrorist” when I was at a rest stop on my way to visit family in NY, but that was one ignorant fool. I thought it would become uncomfortable after a while, but I was not uncomfortable at all and I really felt beautiful and confident. I hope to get more people I know involved next year.

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“Take off your headscarf – lets see the length of your hair…
Go on just this once – it’s only a dare!”
The girl with the Hijab looked back and proudly replied…
“There is no chance that I’ll let 14 devils float by my side”

The other girl scoffed still wanting to have fun…
“So you’re prepared to roast under the burning sun??”
“Yes – because the heat right now means nothing to me;
It is the hell fire which is extremely scary”

Girl with no scarf – still wanting to say more…
“Why are you wearing it? What is the purpose for?”
“Allah will keep evil and punishment away from me….
This Hijab is there in my life for security…
I love and value my faith – which is why I cover my head”
Smiling the girl in the Hijab had said.

The other girl tensed – but not showing she’s feeling bad….
“Why not show everyone your beauty – once you have, you’ll feel ever so glad!”
“The beauty is inside me – where Islam is growing in my heart…
…appreciating Allah is the way for a happy start!”

At this point, the girl with no Hijab had nothing else left to say…
She knew that the other girl was always joyful and confident each and every day.
She realized that this Sister in Hijab will always remain pure and never will walk in shame….
The girl with no scarf knew she wanted to be exactly the same.

This is why, when she went home – she made a very big decision.
She realized that loving Allah can put you in such a wonderful position.
In the classroom, the next day – this girl was wearing her Hijab for the first ever time – feeling so proud…
Looked at the other girl whom she had made fun of before had said out loud…

“Oh sister of Islam – forgive me for the things I have said….
Seeing the love you hold for our religion has today made me cover my head…
Your sweet and caring words that you so dearly expressed…
Made me see how Islam has given you so much respect
I know that Allah will gift those who follow Islam….
Wearing my Hijab – I know that I will be safe from any harm.

Thank you My Sister – for you who I now admire and congratulate
Together as Muslims, we should aim to reach Jannat’s Gates.”

The first girl – amazed, had happiness all over her face
Smiled with love and gave the Sister a lot of praise.
“Mashallah Sister – Indeed Allah will purify your heart and your deen…
Continue love for our faith and in Heaven we will be seen…
Wearing the Hijab – we will always stay as the ‘Respected Girl’….
And to Allah we will be known as the ‘Concealed Pearl!’

Author: Unknown

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