My family is conservative and dare I say, somewhat religious, but they never forced me to wear a hijab nor is it something that I have done blindly. It is a journey of faith, where I ultimately accepted and integrated into my life.

While I was a teenager, putting on my hijab allowed me to fully embrace my Muslim identity. Dressing modestly in general or wearing the hijab in particular, provided me with tremendous pride and courage in who I was. Since then, I have worn the hijab for several different reasons throughout the years. In the process, I delved deeper into my faith, I began to understand vividly how significant the hijab is for Muslims. It has now dawned on me that the hijab is an outer manifestation of my inner obedience to God; I wear the hijab as a form of worship.

The reason many people are intimidated by my hijab is often that they don’t know who I am or understand what I stand for. Through hijab, Islam has taught me that what matters most is what lies within. In other words, I have learned to look deeper than the surface of one’s skin and I can only hope others treat me the same way.

Moreover, when I choose to cover this way, it’s because I am fighting against the systematic oppression of women in which women’s bodies are being sexualized and objectified. There may be a different perspective and a different form of empowerment in that, but when I am in public, wearing the hijab allows me to be in control of my sexuality. In other words, people have to judge me based on my personality and level of intellectuality rather than judge me based on my physical appearance. That, to me, is liberating with a hijab. I am dressed, not oppressed.

Therefore, a hijab should be protected as a right. Many Muslim women adopt a postfeminist repertoire of choice, power, beauty and consumption to represent themselves. I believe, they might, perhaps unwittingly, gravitate toward postfeminism because it provides an alternative discourse that debunks victimhood and stereotypes of Muslim women as powerless, oppressed, radical or unfashionable. Unfortunately, the politicization of feminism and empowerment is common in postfeminism. Instead of focusing on basic human rights, a discourse of ‘choice’ has emerged. Thus, an uprising against Islamophobia or hijabophobia, defends the rights of a woman in secular countries to wear a hijab as a choice. However, it is her basic human right.

Muslim women should be allowed to take their rightful place in society. However, there is much to be done for peace and to reach a more open, inclusive and tolerant society. After all, it is our humanity that binds us together. The hijab is a crown of faith and mutual respect.

From Qatar, I stand in solidarity with my intrepid Muslim sisters across the globe who show exceptional courage and resilience as they engage in challenging systemic bigotry, discrimination and prejudice in which they are threatened and persecuted for practicing their faith by wearing their crowns. Stay firm in your convictions. I am honored to join you in your efforts.

About the Author

Famidah Dirampaten is a candidate for the Master of Arts in Religious Studies with concentrations in Interfaith Peace Building and Nonprofit Leadership at the Unification Theological Seminary in New York. She is currently based in Doha, Qatar. Instagram@famidz

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The decision to wear a hijab alone is scary in today’s world. When the hijab is “amplified” by the niqab or face cover, it’s nerve-racking at first.  While there are so many platforms to talk about the prejudices hijabi women face, not many niqabi women have yet spoken about their individual experiences, so here it is:

From both Muslims and non-Muslims, I get questions like, “What’s the meaning of taking pictures when we can only see your eyes?” or “Why bother leaving the house if you have to cover so much?” Little by little, in everyday situations, comments like these eat up my energy.

However, maybe these reactions come from not understanding the etiquettes of how to treat me. Here are six suggestions from me, a niqabi, to my brothers and sisters, Muslims and non-Muslims…whoever wishes to make me feel welcome:

1.If you are planning a lunch or dinner where a niqabi is invited, please make sure to set up an arrangement where she can eat in peace, without any males in sight. This is one of the most common and awkward circumstances. People welcome me by saying, “Come sit, come eat!” And I wonder, how can I politely refuse to open my niqab in front of these gentlemen? And then, there are those over-enthusiasts who tell the men, “Hey get out of here, she needs to eat!” That just makes me want to crawl into a tent and never visit them again.

2.All you need as a host is to simply find a corner for “sisters only.”  Even many sisters who don’t wear niqab or hijab may prefer to eat only with other sisters.  The host can simply say these corners will be for sisters and the brothers will most likely understand.

3.If you are asking to take a picture of me, do not expect me to reveal my face for it. I won’t know which pictures will end up on whose social media and for what public. The niqabi likes her privacy and prays that you respect it. Also, some sisters, niqabi, hijabi or not, might just not like taking pictures.

4.Just like hijab or any other clothes, niqab can be worn in a variety of different styles. These styles can also be influenced by cultures, comfort levels and/or personalities. I, for instance, wear niqab with colorful dresses and stretch the corners of my hijab to form a niqab. There are women who choose to wear only black and tie a separate cloth over their mouth. There are people who wear jilbab or chador like in Iran, or a blue over piece like in Afghanistan. No style, in any shape, form or philosophy, is more superior over the next.

For example, I have been told to only wear black because it is considered most “pious.” Others might consider another color because black niqabs are associated with extremists…terrorists.  I know many Afghan sisters who love and adore cultural garb, but are too afraid to wear them out of fear of how they will be treated. Niqab is part of me. It represents my taste, culture, creativity and my faith, but I am not wearing it to prove my “level of piety” to anyone, but to Allah.

5.Wearing niqab doesn’t mean we have to maintain a specific and identical code of conduct. Some sisters do speak to the opposite gender while others do not. Some avoid public gatherings while others attend them.

6.You can talk to me, get to know me, the person behind the veil. As a result, my niqab might or might not make more sense to you, but my personality will transform the way you see me.

I have always been this outgoing person and being a niqabi empowers me. I feel like this superhero whose face no one can see, but I’m looking out for everyone else. I feel like a princess in her ornamented carriage whom the commoners can’t sneak a peek at. I feel like a VIP hiding herself from the paparazzi. Regardless, tackle prejudices especially when inviting a niqabi over:

“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers.” Surah Al-Imran:103

About author 

Sumaiya Rabeya is a researcher and content writer. She is the co-founder of a Malaysia-based media-production company. Sumaiya is also a community volunteer, actively working on various projects related to Islamic dawah, social engagement and women. Born in 1989, she graduated with a degree in Politics and International Relations and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Gender Studies. Moreover, she has been working as a media content writer for over a decade. As a Bengali young mother, she feels responsible in creatively contributing to society.

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My own hijab story started at a very young age. I was 10 when I decided to wear it. My parents were reluctant at first, they thought that I should be older in order to be certain of my decision. But I was certain. And I have worn the hijab in its various styles for 22 years now. It hasn’t always been easy. To be the only one in the room. To stand out. To explain and defend. To make the right choices. There have been times when I’ve forgotten why I wore the hijab, but just wore it for the sake of it anyway. ⠀
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But there are times when I’ve understood exactly why I wear it. When I’ve realized my worth. When I’ve connected to something Higher. When I’m proud of my hijab.
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It takes a lot of courage to say that deen matters to you more than dunya. It takes a lot of soul searching to understand. It takes a lot of strength to say no. It takes a lot of confidence to be the only one in the room. Having to prove yourself to others at school or work; that you have a brain and can be funny. That you’re a person. It can be a tiring struggle.⠀
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I haven’t always succeeded. There are so many times that I’ve went for dunya over deen. And that’s why us sisters need each other to remind ourselves and support us on this journey. People who don’t wear it will never understand it. That it gives more than it takes. It’s an endless power source. ⠀
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I pray that I leave this world carrying my hijab-crown high. I may not always be able to live up to its worth, but I’m grateful for all that it has given me. Reminded me that there is more to this world than meets the eye. There is more to my worth than what I allow myself to realize. ⠀
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Inshallah to the next 22+ years of wearing the hijab. God only knows how this journey continues and where it will lead. But I want, I truly want, to choose deen over dunya. Give us strength and wisdom to succeed.

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I am a Muslim revert from the Philippines. I was almost 17 when I reverted to Islam last year during the last day of Ramadan, alhamdullilah. Before I became a Muslim, I had faith issues. I stopped believing in Christianity due to many questions that popped up in my head that nobody could answer. I eventually gave up the idea of religion. I was almost at the edge of being an atheist until I found Islam, Alhamdullilah.

My family is devout Christian. I can say that my father is really against Islam, so I really have to hide it from them or else something might happen. Eventually, my family (except for my father) confronted me if I became a Muslim because they caught me praying at some occasions while wearing the hijab. I told them that I became a Muslim. They were so upset and told me so many bad things. They threatened me that they will tell my father if I don’t leave Islam. I was very afraid of that time so I told them that I will stop practicing Islam, but it is only to avoid any danger inshaAllah. Alhamdullilah, after what had happened, Allah has helped me to get through it. I only pray secretly as much as I can so they wouldn’t find out that I’m still a Muslim.

I’ve never been this happy and complete during my jahaliyyah (days of ignorance). Alhamdullilah Islam answered all of my questions. Knowing Allah is such a great honor to me and I couldn’t be more grateful to be one of His servants.

I am planning to wear the hijab in my university, insha’Allah. I know that this won’t be easy for me as it is my first time to wear it in front of everyone. I will be removing it when I go home, so my family won’t know it. Please keep me in your dua’a (prayer) that I can do it for Allah’s sake.

May Allah guide my family and the other non-Muslims as well to Islam, Ameen.

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I don’t wear hijab. I practice hijab. My hijab reflects in my attire, behavior, and speech. It’s important to practice hijab, rather than make it a part of everyday apparel. It’s common to simply think of a headscarf when a woman states that she wears hijab. The reality is, men and women are under Islamic measure to practice hijab- which translates to “modesty.” It’s belittling to the beauty and grace of Islam to refer to hijab as only the head covering for women. Hijab, for men and women alike, is a blessing from our Creator. He has ordained the most effective way to protect ourselves from the haraam (forbidden things) that this dunya  (world) holds.

Appreciation of the context of hijab in its entirety will bring back the full beauty hijab gives to Muslim women and men. Alhamdulilah, I began to understand the concept of hijab about a year ago. InshaAllah, I hope to stay strong in my imaan (faith) and pray for nothing but sincere piety and faith for my brothers and sisters in deen (religion of Islam) around the globe.

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I started wearing hijab since I converted to Islam almost 3 months ago, Alhamdulillah (All Praise is due to Allah)! I am living in a non-Muslim country. My conversion to Islam came with a huge social challenge. Everybody looked awkwardly at me when I would go out wearing my hijab. They laughed but I kept going and tried to be stronger. I used to cry, asking Allah (swt) (All-Praised and The Exalted) to keep me on the right path and not even let me think about taking it off.  My hijab is my freedom to be who I want and who I really am. My hijab, even if it’s a piece of material, for me, is my personality, my beauty, and my shyness. My hijab is a part of me. I love my hijab!

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I’m 25 years old and Caucasian. I was born in a Christian family.

During my high school years, I pursued a modeling career. I can recall thinking “This is what I want. I want to be a model.” So my father was active in assisting me in this career path. We made profiles online, went through a few agencies. After many searches, I finally found an audition to be with an agency. They signed me on and from there began the training and prepping. I made contacts with scouts from different TV shows, modeling agencies, and film. A few months after working with the agency, I decided I no longer wanted to pursue modeling. I look back now and I believe Allah had a better plan all along for me to be where I am now, and not modeling and showing my body.

I found Islam and took my shahada (Islamic testimony of faith) one year ago. My journey to Islam began when I became friends with a Muslim for the first time almost two years ago. I was practicing Christianity at the time but I was always eager to be closer to God. Prior to meeting my Muslim friend, I had no idea what Islam was or who Muslims were. I can recall seeing hijabis but I never saw them different from one who didn’t wear hijab. I was brought up to love people no matter how they dressed or appeared. Alhamdulillah.

This Muslim friend of mine began to educate me about Islam and from that moment on I did my own research. I fell in love with the religion, and I finally found what I had been searching for. I spent the next five months studying Islam and reading Quran. I began dressing more modestly and I embraced the hijab before I took my shahada, finding comfort in the protection it was providing me. Islam taught me that it’s ok to cover yourself and be appreciated for your intellect. I feel more beautiful in hijab and although I struggled with it at first, I grew to love it. Now, I can’t see myself living without it. My mother grew to be accepting of me wearing hijab and now she fixes it before I walk out the door and wakes me up for Fajr (dawn prayer). Allahu akbar (Allah is the Greatest)!

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I converted into Islam almost one year ago (May 7, 2013). I never thought I would fall in love with a religion so beautifully humble. I’ve come a long way from where I was a year ago. I used to roam this world with an empty feeling inside my heart before Islam. People always ask me what is my testimony from Islam. I could name them the many blessings Allah has sent me this past year but that still couldn’t sum everything. So I simply reply with a smile and say my happiness is my testimony. I found that not only did my life spiritually change but so has my life around me. One week after I converted into Islam I began to wear my Hijab. I had let my parents know I converted so I felt that I had nothing holding me back from covering. I have always been a person that would careless what the people around me think, so when I wore my Hijab people would stare and I would smile back thanking Allah for blessing me with happiness. I think wearing the Hijab is such a beautiful look on women and I support WHD. Knowing that all around the world there are millions of women feeling as empowered and beautiful as I do is what fuels my spirit with happiness. Subhanallah I even saw my younger sister who is not Muslim wearing Hijab with me. Inshallah I will continue learning more about Islam so I can enlighten those around me of the peaceful religion.

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