My first World Hijab Day experience was in 2014, so I was really looking forward to wearing a headscarf on February 1, 2015. There was just one problem: that was a Sunday and I am a devout Mormon (Christian). I didn’t feel it was wrong to wear hijab to church for a day, but I was concerned that it might upset others in my congregation. So, a few days before WHD, I posted about it in our congregation’s Facebook group. I posted a link to the WHD website and said, “this is why I will be wearing a headscarf in church on Sunday.” My hope was to prevent causing a disruption, because most of the congregants would not need to ask me about it during the service.

Well, one of the first comments was from a man who strongly disagreed. He felt my membership should be in jeopardy if I wore hijab to church. He felt that I was making a political statement and protesting our church leaders. After that, there was a lengthy conversation back and forth with most congregants supporting my decision. They cited scriptures from the Bible about it being appropriate for women to cover their heads during services. They talked about historical examples of Catholic and Baptist women covering their heads in church. I felt strengthened in my decision and resolved to wear the hijab, even to my Mormon church service.

As I walked into the church building, a man from another congregation (we share our building) greeted my husband and myself as if we were not members. He assumed we were not Mormon. It happened that we ended up sitting right next to the one man who was so against me wearing hijab to church. I felt bad about it. I did not dislike the man. I respect that he had a different opinion and at least he was honest about it. I didn’t want to upset him or disrupt his worship. I still wonder what he thought as he saw me during our services. Was his heart softened? Did he realize that wearing hijab on the outside didn’t change who I was on the inside? Did he start to think that there is more to Muslims. They are human beings too and its not just about clothing choices etc? I hope so.

At the very least, I was overjoyed that the discussion spread the word and knowledge of World Hijab Day. There are at least 100 Mormons who now know more about hijab and that the practice is part of Christian faith as well because of my participation in WHD. One woman at church said this to me, “last week I told my neighbor about you wearing a headscarf, and my neighbor started to say ‘Muslim women are so oppressed, the men force them to wear those.’ And I corrected my neighbor. I told her, ‘Actually, no, Lorelei says that the women choose to wear it and it makes them happy.'” I felt very glad inside to know that slowly, one person at a time, World Hijab Day is increasing understanding and building bridges between Muslims and non-Muslims. Thank you so much to all who are involved in the wonderful WHD Movement!

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I was always “scared” to wear Hijab. Worried about what friends, family and co-workers would say played a big role in my decision. I have a fellow revert friend whose been my best friend for years and she reminded me that on the day of Judgement we would have to answer to Allah (Swt) for ourselves, none of those friends, family members or co-workers would be with us. What would my excuse then be for not wearing hijab? I was scared? But how could I NOT be scared of my Creator? This opened my eyes, gave me a wake-up call. The day I started wearing hijab, I felt confident, free, not preyed upon like a piece of meat. Even though I live in a small town where people aren’t used to seeing reverts and especially wearing hijab, I was afraid of the comments I would get but, surprisingly I’ve been told I look beautiful. Of course, I get the odd look or two but I now wear my hijab with pride and I wouldn’t take it off for anybody! Alhamdulilah (Praise be to Allah), I am so blessed to be a Muslim!

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