I have converted to Islam from Christianity in 2010.  I started wearing hijab right away. I loved wearing hijab and abaya (loose over-garment). However, after some time,  people started bulling me, calling me names, putting me down. My husband was very supportive.  He told me to ignore what people were saying. He used to say I looked very beautiful wearing hijab.

After some time I decided to take off the hijab. It was a very hard and sad decision but I couldn’t take the criticism of people. I know I was weak in my decision, and I regret what I’ve done. But I had no other choice, even though I knew there was a solution. Some family members were also very negative towards my decision to wear hijab.

I’ve decided to put the hijab again because I feel stronger within myself. And I want to embrace Islam more. I want to give my little daughter a good example. I love being a Muslim and I love wearing hijab.

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My story is no different than many other women converting to Islam, but I share it in the hopes that it may be of some encouragement, as so many have been to me. Hijab played a large role in opening my mind to Islam, as I admired the khimaar pictured on women in Bible story books and Christmas plays from a very young age. I was raised in the U.S. in a very devout Protestant Christian family, so I knew almost nothing about Islam except some false information written by Christians that I read as a young teenager. When I began to study Arabic – and subsequently Islam from Muslims – at 18 years old, I found the concept of niqab extremely appealing, the freedom of not worrying what every single person on the street thought of your fashion sense, makeup, hairstyle, outfit, etc. When I decided to convert, my family was still unaware, so I would put on a simple headscarf after I’d leave the house, and take it off before coming home, but it wasn’t enough.

After a few months I moved to Egypt to study Islam and Arabic in more depth, and have the freedom to practice Islam without my family’s interference – the day after I arrived, I began wearing niqab, the traditional black head-to-toe, eyes covered, gloves, etc., and for the first time in my life I felt completely happy – it felt like living in a castle, complete protection and privacy, and once I learned the Egyptian dialect I could go about undetected as a foreigner, and the respect I was shown was remarkable. After a couple of years I returned to the U.S. and wore it there for a year or so, which received mixed reactions, some very positive and others very negative, before having to take it off for work. Wearing hijab in a non-Muslim-majority country was remarkably different from wearing it in the Middle East – in the West, it felt like being a walking billboard for Islam every time you walked out the door. Most people recognize your religion right away from the hijab, and those who are curious about Islam will come and ask you questions, those who are antagonistic towards Islam will often insult you (based on the hijab) or try to debate with you, while others will often compliment you on the hijab. It’s also a wonderful way to identify other Muslims in the street and shops.

My family was initially shocked more by the conversion to Islam than the niqab, and they always remained focused on the change of faith, not what I wore, though like many Americans they seem to have found the hijab alone somewhat less intimidating than the niqab – they have remained against Islam and the hijab, but the decision to leave home played a large role in establishing my independence, and with time and difficulty, they accepted and adapted to my choices – though not agreeing with them. Since then, I’ve moved back to the Middle East, this time Algeria, to continue Islamic and Arabic studies, and kept a simple jilbab/khimaar, as these are the garments mentioned in the Qur’an, and once again it’s played a vital role in blending into the culture and feeling at home, but I’ll always miss the completeness of the niqab, and hope to wear it again someday Insha’Allah.

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I was raised by my seventh day Adventist mother and never really had much to do with my dad. Unfortunately, I was sexually abused at a very young age, first when I was five at a Christian school, then from age 6-12 by my music teacher who also happened to be a Christian minister. When I was 13, I rebelled and I blamed Christianity. I started drinking, taking drugs, smoking, and I became very promiscuous. Many men took advantage of me at that young age. I also called myself pagan, I didn’t understand paganism, I just wanted to rebel from Christianity, Astagfirullah!

Praise be to Allah,  it was then that I met my husband, Harun.  At the time he was Ryan, a born again Christian. He had come to Christianity from atheism a year earlier, when he woke up outside a church after a night out drinking. He felt something inside him, like there has to be a God, and accepted Christianity.

When I met Ryan, I had a huge crush on him and wanted him. Unfortunately I thought the way to get a man was through my body, but he didn’t want my body. He resisted me completely. Then he asked me to go to church with him, and I said ‘**** church’, Astagfirullah. But after about a week of getting to know Ryan and what a decent man he is, I went to church with him. And it was amazing. These were good Christians. Not pedophiles like the people I had encountered, much the opposite, people who followed God. I felt an overwhelming shame for my rebellion and my actions and I became a born again Christian.

I came to accept that yes I had bad experiences with Christians, but not all Christians are like that, and Christianity does not condone what had happened to me. This is why now I never judge a religion on the actions of its followers, God is perfect, we are not. But there was still something missing;  we didn’t quite know what.  So we went to different churches trying to find the right one. I also researched other religions, mostly Sikhism, for the sake of Evangelism. My Sikh friends directed me to the Quran, as this is a book that was read by Guru Nanek and it has a lot pertaining to Christianity. I never got round to getting.g myself a Quran or researching it until I saw some Maori Muslims in town. I told them my address and they bought us some books and dvds. Ryan was interested in seeing what the Muslims had to say too.

We looked through some of the information but still weren’t convinced, so I went to Jumah. I was so scared that they would hate me if I didn’t cover every inch of skin on my body. I was expecting a bunch of foreigners in burqas, but instead I was greeted by reverts in beautifully designed abayas, and one of them gave me some lollies. haha I thought this was nice, so different to what I expected. Then an Egyptian lady came in, she hugged me and was so welcoming. She was respectful towards Christianity and that was so nice. I got her number and she told me to ring her any time with any questions. That night when Ryan got home from work he was kind of sad because I’d gone to the Mosque without him.

By this time I had learned that Muslims have to prayers 5 times a day, I just didn’t know when they were.  So I rung that lovely lady from the mosque and asked her when it would be good for my husband to go to the Mosque. That evening he went to Magrib. When he still wasn’t home an hour and a half later,  I was worried.  What had these Muslims done to him, I asked myself?

He arrived home smelling of Arabic perfume, wearing a white hat, and smiling a smile so warm, I had never seen anything like it. ‘I converted!’ He told me excitedly.
I was horrified. I had enjoyed learning about Islam, but converting? This was something else. I was ready to take on this imam. So Harun took me to Isha prayer, and I tried to challenge this imam with the power of the Bible and of the holy spirit.  But he knew the Bible well, and he showed me why Islam is the truth through Bible scriptures, and he explained why the concept of  trinity doesn’t work using Bible verses. I could not and cannot deny that the Bible is preaching Islam for the most part, and it’s easy to see where it has been changed. He read me the beginning of Surah (chapter) Maryam and he read me Al Fatiha and I couldn’t deny Islam.  So I took shahada (testimony of faith),  Alhumdulilah!  it was like that same amazing feeling I got when I became Christian but a million times stronger. 

I knew I had found the truth. Alhumdulillah! Allahu Akbar! 

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I reverted  to Islam three years ago. I’ve wanted to wear hijab since then but was always scared of my parents not allowing it since my dad has such a hatred toward Islam. I asked their permission in September 2013 because I didn’t want them to be offended if I just started wearing it. I was so happy when they said I could. I felt so safe and good about myself since I was following what Allah (swt) commanded us to wear. Being covered and modest is such an amazing feeling.

I had began to get so attached to my scarves. I wore it until December when they told me I wasn’t allowed anymore. My dad said since I live in a “Christian household”, I can’t be all covered. He said he didn’t like it because it was bad for his reputation and if I wore it again he would rip it off my head. So I stopped wearing hijab.

In June 2014, I decided I care and fear Allah (swt) way too much to not to wear hijab. My dad is scared to be mistaken for Muslim because MY hair is covered. God is and always will be most important. I put my hijab on at the bus station when my parents drop me off and when I’m done with doing things I return to the bus station and take it off. It sucks wearing it in secret but its worth it; knowing I’m pleasing our Creator.

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 I became Muslim in October of 1999 Alhamdulillah. When I converted to Islam, my family didn’t agree with my decision at all. I even provided them with literature about the fundamentals of Islam and what’s required of a Muslim. But that meant nothing to them. Like all Muslim women in western society, I experienced hardships because of idiocy and the severe lack of knowledge of Islam. One predicament was on September 12, 2001. I was driving to school and when I stopped at the traffic light, a man in a truck pulled up beside me and yelled profanities to me and said,”Go back to your own country!” Being an American woman… my instinct at that time was to answer him. So, I did. I said,”This is my country.” As soon as I said that… he threw an apple at me which hit my face and left a huge bruise on my face. I didn’t go to school as planned. I went to my mother’s house because of how upset I was. My mother of course persuaded me to take off my hijab. And so… I did.

I didn’t start wearing it again until September 11, 2012 (the date was purely coincidental by the way). I am happier with my hijab. It is apart of me and who I am. I am a MUSLIM woman and I am proud! Non muslim society believe that muslim women who wear hijab are oppressed. Where in fact, it is those same non muslims who oppress us by trying to force us not to wear hijab. I wear hijab anyway and endure being teased and made fun of by people (including my family) but I wear it to please Allah and Him alone. Alhamdulillah.

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For almost five decades, I was a devout Christian. Once I reverted to Islam I was hesitant to wear hijab. My inner fear would say “what will your family, friends, colleagues, etc. think?” In southern California you can go an entire day without seeing anyone in hijab. During Ramadan 2013, I made the decision to wear hijab, and I do not regret it ever. Although I was mocked and hated by some, I learned that you will never please everyone. My duty is to please Allah–not man. I am freer now than I have ever been. I am proud to be a hijab-clothed Muslima. Alhamdulillah!

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It has taken me a while to decide how to begin writing this story, but I will start by introducing myself. My name is Diana; I am an ordinary person of flesh and blood. I grew up Catholic, in fact my whole family is. I currently attend to a university and work in a police department. I could tell you detail by detail about my life and my experience, but I would take many pages for that.

Several years ago I felt lost; I felt blind not knowing where I was going in life. During all those years I have devoted my time to find myself. It was as if asleep. Over two years ago I was introduced to Islam, a religion that seemed so peaceful for me and I began to feel very interested about Islam. I am a highly conservative person; therefore I decided to do more research on Islam on my own. I read and learned a lot about Islam. I attended a few times at the mosque near me and observed the women wearing their hijabs and the beauty and meaning that comes from it. I realized I had found what I wanted, what I needed, but I was terrified about my family’s reaction. I had many dreams in relation to Islam and my family too. They were peaceful dreams where I wore a hijab and my family understood and supported me over the decision I made.

Finally, after all this time I decided to take the next step. I went to the same mosque with a friend who talked to the sheikh about my decision.

I feel blessed that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) has allowed my lips to say “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

After three months and nine days from when I converted into Islam (12/15/13), I can still feel so much emotion in my heart and tears rolling down my face every time I remember that moment. I started wearing the hijab the same day I converted into Islam because I embrace the beauty and the true meaning of wearing a hijab. I have also noticed that people treat me different, but in a better way. I feel blessed wearing my hijab and for the first time since that day, I feel so calm, in peace, and awake. Alhamdulillah for all the blessings I’ve received and Inshallah my family will understand and support me in the kind of life I’ve made peace with. Beauty is modesty and I feel happy to say that I feel secure, respected and proud to wear my hijab. Hijab is my Beauty, I am hijabbed and I am proud of it.

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About a year and a half ago, after extensive research into Islam as a Christian evangelist, I reverted to Islam. Islam is a perfect religion with a Perfect God. In the beginning I did not wear hijab, because being from southern California I saw (and knew) no one that wore one. As Allah began to convict me for being disobedient, I got up the courage to wear one and was quickly ridiculed by strangers for my appearance. However, I drew strength from Allah and have been wearing hijab consistently since Ramadan of 2013. Alhamdulillah I will never go back, I am empowered and free. May Allah bless all my American sisters for their courage and perseverance.

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I am 20 years old. I am the only Muslim in my whole family. I wear my hijab proudly. It’s a way I can show what I believe in. Hijab made me confident. Islam made me absolutely happy, and gave meaning to my life. It showed me a lot of things: how to be confident, patient, compassionate, and unobtrusive. I notice the beauty of nature; every single little things, how to help others in a good way, how to be thankful, and accept bad and good things. I know that He would never place me a situation that I can’t handle. I am unutterably happy because Allah showed me this Religion. I wear hijab with pleasure, and I don’t fear because I rely on Allah in every single thing, and I know He’ll is protect me, insha’Allah!

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