Hijab might be just a piece of cloth to someone, but to me it means so much more

Latest post in my ongoing Hijab Series is written by sister Veronika al Mahdiyah.

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In modern times we still question what is hijab and why is it so important for Muslim women around the globe. It’s just something so simple; taking scarf off the neck and putting it few inches up, wrapping it around our heads.

‘It’s a symbol of oppression! Of male dominance! There is no need to succumb to cultural traditions’

I would say, yes, in some cases men do use it for their own convenience. The same as media uses it’s power to blast over all its channels and ‘push’ certain fashion or appearance standards on the same women. Tiny bust, big behind and on, and on with the ‘newest’ trends.

Hijab for me is something that stays uniform and untouched by time. It’s like good taste. Once you have it, it stays with you. It’s there and obvious.

I had my own struggles with it and, no, it wasn’t about how to wear to look nice with it. It was more about finding myself again.

As a convert it takes time to get over the ‘converts hipe’ and settle back into the normal life. You learn not only about salah, but about yourself too.

Being a women in the modern society you face enormous pressure to be everything that there is to be in the world: educated, self-sufficient, mother, juggling career, studies and beauty/family standards all at once.

Being a Muslimah it’s about the same. Same pressures, same goals, same dreams, but because of your hijab you are suddenly incapable. Irrelevant. Oppressed. Ignorant.

I know, we can hide our muffin tops under abayas, but talent and skill can’t be hidden. It took me a while to realise that I can’t fight against the ones, who are not ready to hear, to know us and that there is no need to explain ourselves all the time.

I found that being hijabi gave me an opportunity to see the world from the different angle, where finding job becomes difficult, because of piece of cloth on my head, instead of neck.

It’s 9 years in making and I finally feel that hijab and I became just a part of each other. The conviction why I’m wearing it –  to please Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala. The realisation that I don’t have to give an explanation why I want to do it and the biggest realisation, that hijab is not an obstacle to achieve my dreams. I’m getting there one step at a time… and hijab is coming with me.


Author Bio:

Veronika al Mahdiyah, BSc (Hons) Psych (Open), is a relationship coach for busy ambitious Muslim women. Veronika is obsessed with mindset hacks, overcoming fear, and finding the balance between personal and professional fulfillment. You can find her blogging at www.muslimhousewife.com and you can connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muslimhousewife/

 

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