Why do I wear hijab?

There are really two true reasons.

1- Group identity. As a hijabi I am immediately recognized as a woman of faith. It is community and belonging.

2- It is a spiritual practice of surrender. In accepting Islam I did not have to immediately decide whether or not to cover. When I did make the decision it was a leap of faith – like an experiment in obedience. I did not and do not believe it is a requirement to be a good Muslim or to have knowledge of God. It is simply an external symbol of internal values. I live in a world where I am free to choose my style of dress. The clothing I wear is a symbol of my devotion to a life of prayer and compassion as a woman of God. It invites people to interact with me as such a person and protects me from getting involved in gossip, harmful discussions and gives me permission to speak from my heart.

At the same time a woman’s clothing is only what she wears on her body. It is the decoration of the temple. Her true worth is found in her character.

Get a new point of view:

Muslim wins right to reject the hijab

By Anthony Browne, Brussels Correspondent

ISLAMIC groups across Europe have campaigned for years for the right of Muslim women to wear the religious headscarf, or hijab. Now a Muslim woman in the Netherlands has won the right not to wear it.