Imagine walking along a path. It is full of bumps and rough edges, but otherwise goes in one direction. You continue to walk along that direction until you come up in a fork on the road. Left or Right, you wonder. You have no idea of telling where each path might lead. Either direction that you may choose however, will undoubtedly affect your course because you have deviated from your original path. If only life was this straightforward, with only two choices then we all would have an easier time. As it is, life is all about the forks in the road, not just one, not just two but a million possibilities. And only you can choose where to go. These forks are the “turning points” of life. I want to share with you this particular turning point, the time when I made a decision that would have a major impact on my life. My experience during a debate competition which prompted me to wear my hijab was significant because it paved the way for my spiritual and emotional development as a person.

This all happened when I was in my fourth year of high school in La Salle Academy in Iligan City (a Catholic school). Every year there is an inter-school debate championship held in Iligan City called YAPIS ILBRAVE challenge (Youth Advocate’s Productive Integrated Service Iligan Brainwave Challenge). As far as I can remember, our school’s debate society (LANTUGI) has always joined the competition and won every year. The LANTUGI Club sends teams composed of three members, each to battle it out with other schools for the prize. I have always had memorable experiences during YAPIS. During my first time when I competed as a freshman, I won top 2 Best Speaker; during my second time as a second year, I experienced crying because of a loss for the first time. During my third year, the championship round was an all-LaSallian battle with our school taking both Champion and First-runner up. Even with all these memories, I chose my fourth year experience and you may be wondering why. My reasons include it being my last year on the team therefore it was my last competition, not to mention that we had to defend our title as Champions for four years in a row with this year being the Grand slam championship for us. These are not the main reasons however, as you will soon find out.

It was during the semi-finals round. After all the sweat and tears, my team mates and I had finally reached that far. The announcer was to announce the winner for the semi-finals round (It was between La Salle Academy Team 1 and Integrated Development School Team 2, and if we were to break, we were to face Integrated Development School Team 1 during the Championship Round). His lips were moving as if in slow motion, “And the winner is……….” I could not hear anything else after that. I had plugged my ears and shut my eyes tightly. I could hear the erratic beat of my chest. “Breathe deeply”, I told myself “breathe deeply.” After a moment, I could hear cheers erupt around me. Who were cheering, IDS’ or ours? Slowly I opened my eyes and I found my team mates absolutely ecstatic. They were telling me, shouting actually “We won Alex! We won!” I could not help myself. I clung to them and bawled my eyes out. We actually won! But it was far from over. The Championship was up next and I could feel the pressure from my seniors catch up to me. We could not tarnish their legacy, and so I made a bargain. Looking back, I see now how desperate I was. I prayed to Allah (swt), “I beg of you please let us win. We can’t lose. I’ll do anything whatever it might be. I’ll even start wearing the hijab.”

The hijab is the traditional headscarf worn by female Muslims signifying modesty. I originally planned to wear mine the following year as a college student, but here I was making a bargain with God. And then I stopped, and my life literally flashed before me in the remaining time we had left. Every time I had a competition, I would always pray fervently to Allah and He would always answer my prayers. Not only during competitions, but at every major point in my life He was there. I revised my prayer, “I’m sorry for trying to bargain with You. No matter what happens I will accept Your decision and I will wear my hijab not because of payment but because I am proud that I am a Muslim.” After praying I went back to my team mates. We were given thirty minutes of preparation time to brainstorm, after which we went inside the room that would be used for the championship round. We were afraid, but we could not let our school down.

We won that day, but I gained more than just a trophy – I gained my identity. I wore my hijab to school the day after and I was a bit afraid. Turned out, there was nothing to fear. Some were curious and asked me the cause of this change, but generally they treated me the same as always. Now, whenever someone asks me when I started wearing hijab, I tell them it was during a moment of enlightenment. When they ask me why, I tell them I choose to and because I am proud of my faith.

The post My Hijab, My Choice – A Life-changing Decision appeared first on World Hijab Day.

I reverted to Islam on  April 24, 2015. And I started wearing the hijab two weeks after I took my Shahada (testimony of Islamic faith). It wasn’t easy for me because my family is against my decision to become a Muslim. One of my daughters even told me that she doesn’t want to have anything to do with me. My mom cried and begged me to leave Islam. But I know Islam is the true religion and I thank Allah that I have been chosen to be one of His servants.

I believe that one day my family will accept me and insha Allah they will be reverted too in Islam. I am proud to be a Muslim and I show it by covering myself and using my hijab.

The post My mom begged me to leave Islam appeared first on World Hijab Day.

Because the attached picture was taken on the 1st of February 2013, it makes it exactly 2 years now since I have donned the Hijab. I clearly remember how excited I was and how painful it was to properly style the long shawl. It felt pretty warm too!

One of the first questions people would ask me was what prompted me to make change in my life, especially when I was known to dress in a quite fashionable manner in my younger days. The transformation was brutal and to some, it came as a real shock!

Well, the decision I made had nothing to do with a Pilgrimage Trip or a Completed Hajj. I had just quit a horrible job at that point in time and felt that the time was ripe to “follow instructions” from the Creator, and stay on the straight path. I didn’t want to be straying from his mandatory requirements anymore.
Besides, I no longer wanted to be “free for all”. So, yeah, I made that call to put on the veil – a decision which came straight from the heart, with absolutely no external pressure from anyone.

I kinda regret I made that call a little late in life – and for that, I’d like to offer some food for thought to some young ladies out there.

Believe it or not, the Hijab doesn’t reduce your attractiveness at all.

The beauty that is in your heart and the light that is in your face, will in fact, radiate more once your hair is properly covered and your body lines blurred. And the bonus is, men will automatically respect your more.
No more whistling and no more nonsensical talks.

The post My transformation was a real shock! appeared first on World Hijab Day.