She is oppressed. She is submissive. She is violent. She is uneducated.
These are just a few misconceptions people tend to have on the hijab.
Aside from being an act of worship, the hijab is a sign of my modesty and part of my overall appearance. It is my identity… a symbol of freedom and strength. It has allowed me to explore who I am as a woman and is my relationship with God. But more importantly, it is my choice.
I grew up in a town where my sister and I stuck out because we were the only ones who wore hijabs.
Unfortunately, there are people that don’t wear or remove the hijab in fear of marginalization. The beautiful part of me being blind is that I don’t see that when I don’t look like everyone else. I am able to wear my hijab more comfortably and be myself. But should people have to be blind to not see or feel the judgement of others? We, as a society, should gravitate towards less assumptions and more acceptance.
How do we create spaces where everyone can be their true selves and embrace the beauty of our diversity?
