HIJAB

There's a million and one blog posts about Hijab, go look it up. The end.

But don't leave yet. Perhaps I should write something because I am a "Hijabi" huh?

Alrighty then..

It's a piece of cloth that wraps around my head that most people view as a mandate given to me by a man.

They have no idea what's under here...and that is the point!

Wouldn't it be nice if women were finally seen for something other then their looks? Like for example their brains or their actions, their character?

My Hijab is not just a piece a cloth, its a philosophy, a belief that requires a lot of courage to embody because of today's modern construed idea about religion.

Its like pretending to be blind and deaf for a while to see how nasty people can be to you right in front of your presence. Like stepping to the other side... I dare you to wear it to see what I mean . I dare you to be somebody else for a while.

I wear it to protect my body as much as I can from lustful eyes. And that man who will see me for who I really am, respect me and earn my trust one day will get to unveil it. That man who will hear my heart beating faster than he can see my skin sweating.

And did you know there's also a piece of Hijab cloth inside my head, and also taped on my mouth, ears... And when I blink it also acts as  blinds to my eyes taped around my eyelash lids?

Yes my Hijab is everywhere.

Although it wasn't before... In my past.

I was never  forced to wear this and I mean when I became a adult, you know before the " you better go to school and get your education because we care about your future" parental time. I didn't quite understand the want or need to believe in it.

"Men should control themselves. Its their fault and they should stop oppressing woman." I believed it all and was an advocate for that speech.

Then came along a experience that truly belongs in hell and because it belongs in hell l had a taste of hell on earth.

The world's glamor and glitz were gone. The mirror I use to look at to dress attractive was shattered. And I was left with the question...

Who am I ?..who am I  really?

Because now that its all gone and Ive been used up really well by this guy, who could care less about how I look anymore or who I am. Nor did he appreciate my sincere sacrificial efforts for him.....so then what is left? 

I didn't think I could remember because I have forgotten for so long. And I worshiped everything except my own  soul and who I always believe created it.

I began asking myself... OK so yes a man needs to control himself  but doesn't a woman sometimes participate too? 

What am I participating in?

What I DO want to participate in is standing up for women. 

I didn't need to know her but  I wanted to respect her presence walking next to him and knowing that I am not participating in her heartbreak at his disloyalty.

I wanted to stand up for the little girl who I might have in the future and not only explain to her but  also exemplify what she is truly worth.

And as I chose this, I chose to follow it as much as I can. A choice that says I'm not limited to wearing whatever I want at home but in public eye I continue to offer honesty by being plain. There are many levels a person could follow in Islam.

And to the man,  I will participate in fairness with you. I will participate for a better world with you. Because as much as people say you tell me what to do, my fellow brother.. They too are told what to do by men.  Don't they have a fathers, brothers, a male president they listen to? Maybe we don't listen to everything you say but that doesn't mean we shouldn't listen at all. What's truly sad is that some women think they're not being told what to do at all by men yet they unknowingly follow the worst of men called hidden societal oppression that claims false freedom for all.

So brother, we both know in Islam we believe it is not you who claims the truth of what you might say , it is whom we both believe to be God.  People continue to fail to understand that this belief was initially shared by both women and men. Not  a man who mandates.

Islam divides and shares the responsibility of dignity, and modesty in a balance between both men and women for the better of the world. They too, the men are suppose to have similar coverings, and actions to guard theirs and women's modesty as well. Have you ever seen a man in a Hijab?

..Yet the world doesn't hear that side or see it in the media.

Yet the world still doesn't get it...