I found Peace and Comfortability wearing my Abaya and Hijab
Fortunately, I was born and raised in Africa ( a black-populated country). I am a brown Muslim woman who wears a hijab and enjoys wearing comfortable dresses (Abayas). My parents are from Nigeria's south-western region. Many people I've met in my life have assumed I'm from the Northern part of the country because of my Hijabi identity; some even say I look like Ghanaians, which I am not lol. Hijab has always been a part of my wardrobe since I was a child, and I grew up loving to dress in it. My parents are devout Muslims, and I took after them. Hijab is more than just a head covering; it is an act of worship. When praying or performing religious rituals, a hijab is worn. It brings you closer to ALLAH, your Creator (S.W.T).
REASONS FOR WEARING A HIJAB
The following Holy Quran verses are commonly attributed to the rationale for wearing the hijab and abaya in Islam. This verse is used to support the wearing of a Hijab and Abaya.
Verse 1:
“And say to the believing women to lower their gaze and to guard their private parts and not to show their beauty spots except that of it which is normally shown and to draw their veils over their chests. They shall not show their beauty spots except in the presence of their husbands, their fathers, the fathers of their husbands, their sons, the sons of their husbands, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, other women, their slaves, the male attendants who have no carnal desire and the children who are yet to attain awareness of women's bodies. They shall not strike their feet so as to reveal details of their hidden beauty spots. You shall repent to God all you believers so that you may succeed.” (24:31)
According to the verses above, it is advantageous for women to properly cover their bodies and keep them hidden from men who are not related to them, especially when they are out of the house. This will keep them safe from men's impure thoughts as well as disrespectful and impolite behavior.
RELOCATING TO ENGLAND
Being alert and on guard became second nature to me, no matter where I was. Wherever I went, whether to university, the streets, or my neighborhood, I felt different and stood out like a sore thumb among the crowd. Prior to visiting the United Kingdom I did some research on the city I was going to (Birmingham), tried to trace my fears through the lens of intersectionality, and realized that there were not one or two, but multiple reasons I should embark on the journey. I was overjoyed to learn that the city has a large Muslim population and a number of hijabis (Hijab wearing women). That alone provided me with solace and welcome. The reason for my research was, first and foremost, the fact that I am a woman. A woman should never consider herself safe, especially when moving to a non-Muslim country like England. Another factor was my irrational and deeply ingrained fear of being mocked for wearing a hijab at my country school and workplace. After much convincing from my research and encouragement from hijabi friends already in the UK, I finally mustered enough courage to accept the opportunity to travel to England with my family.
AMAZING MOMENTS IN ENGLAND
I remember my first day of school; as I entered the school building, I felt like I was in a different world, all alone because I was the only one wearing a hijab. I wasn't expecting that; I was expecting to see another hijab-wearing student. In any case, I didn't feel too bad. I went to my lecture class, and as soon as I stepped inside, I was surrounded by a warm sense of hospitality from people from my hometown. Never before had I felt so at ease and comfortable outside of my home as I did at that moment. I was overjoyed because there were many other Africans in the class who looked like me. Later that day in class, I noticed two other ladies from my country who were Muslims but did not appear to be because of their style of dress. Nobody batted an eyelid when I wore my hijab all the time, both inside and out. It was the first time in a long time that I felt at ease in my own skin and didn't have to be on high alert while crossing the street or going about my daily business. As time passed, I met women of the same skin color and wearing the same headwear as me, and they boosted my morale to stand firm in the face of opposition.
A very interesting story. I love this. Good one Hikmah
ReplyDeletethank you
DeleteWow. That's amazing
ReplyDeletethanks
DeleteAbaya is my most comfortable outfit, maybe because I like maxi dress
ReplyDeletethat's great. cheers to modest wear. smile.
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