By Jeanarie Sweeney (Rhode Island)
I’ve been a Muslim for about a year now and I can honestly say it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. I started wearing my hijab faithfully and permanently two weeks before I actually converted to Islam. My hijab has made me lose almost all of my “friends” because they couldn’t be seen with someone like me and I get to be treated differently by most of my family members who do not understand why I cover myself more than I did before. I explain to everyone that wearing my hijab has not changed who I am as a person nor has it altered my way of living.
My hijab, in fact, has made me feel more confident in myself and made people actually talk to me differently, with more respect. It has made both men and women to look at ‘ME’ and like me for who I am instead of liking me based upon my physical appearance. Converting to Islam and wearing my hijab has made me look at life in a different way. Women are not objects to be judged by their looks! We shouldn’t be liked based on our beauty. We are all beautiful and we shouldn’t let just anyone or everyone only admire our physical beauty. We should be admired by our intelligence, compassion, and our hearts. Wear your hijabs proudly my dear sisters! I wear mine proudly every single day!