How I came to be a Hijabi

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How I came to be a Hijabi

by Mary Bridges

I was not raised in a religious household. My parents loosely subscribe to the Christian faith, and I was expected to do the same. As a high school student in small-town Alabama, USA...I tried to be a firm believer in the Christian faith to "fit in"... but it never clicked and I felt like a fraud. After the disaster of 9/11, and the media frenzy that followed... I knew one group of people couldn't be all bad. So I began my journey and started learning all I could about Islam. A few years later when I was at a very low point in life, my best friend gave me an English translation of the Quran. I couldn't put it down. The imagery, the poetry... I felt at peace and I dared to hope.  Soon after, I took my shahada. 

It took me about a year to begin my transcendence into a hijabi. I started small. First no more shorts, only long pants or skirts. Then I graduated to no more short sleeves. Only 3/4 length or long sleeves. After a few months, I really wanted to wear the scarf. I had no clue how to tie it "properly", so I practiced for months on end... too embarrassed to ask for help. When I came upon an opportunity for a new job as a substitute teacher, I promised myself I would wear the scarf to the interview. And I did. I felt incredibly out of place and it took some time before I got used to the stares... but eventually, I got over it. And I haven't looked back, nor regretted the decision since that moment.  I don't feel like wearing the scarf is what makes me Muslim... I'm still Muslim when I'm at home and don't have it on.  However, the scarf tells everyone else that who I am, and is an expression of my devotion.

Posted in: Women