I grew up with a mother
who wore a piece of cloth
over her hair.
It was just another part of her,
like her gentle blue eyes
and morning prayers.

But as I became older
The childhood filter faded away
and I heard what people would say,
and wouldn’t say.

5-letter insults were not as bad as the sharp stares
that shredded the pride I had for my mother.
But the questions aimed at her
-rarely inquisitive
and mostly insensitive-
haunted me everywhere.

‘Do you ever wash your hair?’
‘Are you bald?’
“Do you have a bomb under there?
‘Do you sleep with that on?”
“CAN YOU HEAR OKAY UNDER THERE?”

I began to detest
that piece of cloth
that labeled us as ‘oppressed’
and screamed- never whispered-
that we were different, odd,
Wrong.

Now, I am proud
of this piece of cloth
that has enough heart and bravery
to defy society’s conception of beauty
to declare the existence of modesty
and to scream- not whisper-
I am Muslim,
different, beautiful,
Strong.

_________________________________

More on author: www.facebook.com/linaabojaradehart

The post “I am Muslim, different, beautiful, Strong” appeared first on World Hijab Day.

It’s funny how you thought my veil was a trend
How, by summer time, my veil obsession will end
You don’t understand my veil or its reasons
You think it was made to be worn on certain seasons
Try to understand it’s a command from my Lord
Not something pushed on me by a gun or a sword
It’s a choice I’ve made to follow these commands
To rid myself of a man’s lustful demands
My beauty I will preserve and protect from every male
For my soul mate’s eyes only I will unveil
You say I need to embrace my youthful femininity
That covering up so is only for an old lady
Telling me to add some eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss
And to the side, my headscarf I should toss
This mentality of yours leads to corruption
In every society you destroy the root of their protection
The laws of our Lord should always precede
All the laws of the land in order that we may succeed

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