Ok, Its Hot Modest Ladies

Ok Ladies. I just have to say this to all my hijabi/modest sisters. Dears, lovlies....

Its hot. Stop wearing a skin tight long sleeve shirt under a maxi dress. Or a two layered scarf look with long sleeved T under a short dress over jeans. You will overheat. You will pass out.

Couple weeks ago I went to circle to see my lovely Sisters. They were all hanging out in front of the fan saying how horribly hot it was. And I looked at all of them. Each had 2-3 layers on, the bottom layer being a tight T. All of them had scarf styles that wrapped tightly around the head with an underscarf. I was in a maxi dress, square scarf in a triangle, slip and loose cardigan. I was fine. They were not in the 90 degree heat. And then they wanted to know why they were so hot!

Ladies, I love you. I don't want to see you pass out. Please be smart about what you wear in this heat. I know that some of you follow the 2 layer rule and that can be achieved without being hot. I have a few tips for the modest in this heat:

Scarf Style: I know some of you feel this is only for the aunties but a square folded in half and pinned under the chin seems to be the coolest way to go.

Maxi dress: Pair it with a loose cardigan and you are good to go. Need two layers? use a slip as well. You will stay super cool.

Light weight Abaya: They are indeed cool. Wear a light weight sheath cotton dress underneath and you will be staying cool. Avoid dark colors if possible.

Tunic shirts: these are made for heat, as in made in India. I love them. Shirt a little see through? Use a skin toned bra. No one will be able to tell. Also a tip for white: NEVER wear a white bra under a white garment. It will show right through. Always use skin tone.

Wide leg linen pants: way cooler than those tight jeans and adorable with short dresses, linen pants are the way to go. You can get them at H&M and Forever 21.

Natural fabrics: Use cotton and other natural fabrics. They let your skin breathe and allow the air to circulate.

Wide Sleeves: One of your cooling points oddly enough is your armpit. Make sure the arm hole of your shirts are wide and the sleeves are a little wide. This will allow for air flow and keep you cool.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

Back from the Party and a T length Dress

I'm back from the party! It was fun, nice to see my extended family. I very rarely ever see them. Especially great to see my cousin who would probably be one of my best friends if I lived closer. But fortunately she and I will live quite close to each other real soon YAY!

I wore what I call a "Mad Men" dress to the reception. It is a t length (calf length) full skirt dress with short sleeves and a boat neck. I got it on ebay for a great price and its from the early 1960s. I love it. And I realized something that night.

It was so nice not to be concerned that my lower leg was showing. On top of that I realized I really didn't care if my lower leg was showing. I didn't feel like I was being immodest or inappropriate. I just felt pretty and comfortable. I'm not saying I'm going to start running around in mini skirts, but I think my opinion on what I need to wear is changing. Its becoming more of a high bred of hijab and American modesty which suits me just fine. I also cut quite a bit of hair off and now have chin length hair which means I wear my hair down all the time. This too does not make me feel immodest at all. I'm actually starting to wonder why there was a point in my life I made such a big deal over my hair being down in the first place. But I guess its just like another blogger friend said: You get the compulsion to cover, and then you get the compulsion to do something else. Doesn't make one better than the other but sometimes God tells us to do something for a period of time and once we gain the knowledge He saute for us we can somewhat return to what we were. I learned a lot from completely covering but I think God is telling me its time to find my happy medium :).

The Mustard Yellow Dress

I handed over my favorite dress to a friend today for a formal event. Its mustard yellow silk with a slight sheen. It comes just below the knee cut in a style similar to what Joan on Mad Men often wears; timeless, beautiful, and elegant. And as I handed this dress over to my very excited friend I realized something:

I will never get to wear this dress again if I become a muslim.

The shock hit me like a ton of bricks. I won't wear this dress again. This gorgous, modest by American standards dress. This dress I love. I realized there were a few other skirts that come just below the knee and other dresses I also won't be able to wear because Islam does not consider tights to be proper lower leg covering. I realized that many of my gorgous, modest long semi-formal dresses will never be worn without a cardigan over them. That the beautiful details at the neck and shoulders, the parts that make the dress, will never be seen. My heart sank when I realized that my choice will be taken away from me. Right now, modesty is a choice. But as a muslim, its an obligation. And I wonder if, as an obligation, it will eventually become a burden. A bitter, unhappy burden. All because it is no longer my choice.

In "Even Angels Ask" Jeffery Lang talks about how much more difficult converting to Islam is for women mostly due to two factors: foreign cultural standards in the Islamic community and the drastic physical changes a muslim woman convert has to make. He mentions that the Islamic community should lighten up so to speak when involving female converts. That they should be sympathetic when she cannot wear the veil or feels the need to wear tights so she can put on her favorite skirt that is only a few inches too short. He emphasizes the need for understanding, support and balance all of which are not present for converts in the majority of muslim communities. THANK GOD the community I am in is so supportive. Insha'Allah I will get the opportunity to thank them when I give a speech in the coming months.

So what I wonder from any of you is: Did modesty become a burden once it became an obligation?

Burqa and Jeans

A conversation from work. FYI my co-worker has no idea I study Islam.

My Co-worker is looking at a beautiful short formal dress a friend brought to work. Its got a low back, low front, halter top with a skirt to the knee. Its bronze, shiny, and gorgeous.

CW: This dress is amazing! LK you should borrow this from her!

LK: Well um, maybe with you know a cardigan...and a higher back....and something in the front.

CW: Yeah you dress really conservative. It would look nice though.

LK: Yeah well I wouldn't....

CW: Maybe with a burqa and jeans!

Yeah....she really said that. And I died in a fit of laughter. Because its true.. except it would be an abaya and jeans.

I never really thought my clothes was that noticeable. But I guess when its 90 out and you are in a cardigan and maxi dress people notice your modest attire. And my style has now been dubbed "hippie chic".

It's Naked Time

It got to be almost 90 here. Know what that means?

Naked Time.

What is naked time? Its that time of the year when it gets so hot all the women practically run around naked. If it really was the summer, I would see them on the train in bikinis. Really. Bikinis. Without shorts, just the suit.... I wish I was kidding.

During this season is when I really think about hijab and how maybe it should be somewhat relative to culture. My friend mentioned an article she read today about a bunch of women who orchestrated a protest for women's equality by parading down the street with their shirts off, breasts exposed. Their thought was "If men can run around shirtless so can we!". So my friend and I discussed to what lengths would we have to go to actually make that work so it became equal and didn't cause such a stir.

Well first of all, more men would need to walk around shirtless. Very few do except for at the beach. Its very weird to see a man in a public place shirtless, although not completely uncommon. So that would have to happen to bring things to their definition of equal which is "Doing the exact same thing, in the exact same way, as the opposite sex".

Then you'd have to get women to agree to not wearing shirts. And somehow remove the billion year old concept that breasts are a private part of a woman's body. That its ok to show them. Yeah that's going to work REALLY well.

Its silly, it really is. But it made me think about "Naked Time" and how maybe hijab really should be more relative to culture. The way I dress I am considered ultra concervative and I still show my hair, neck, lower calf, and arm below the elbow. So imagine how out of place a full on hijabi must be on the modesty scale in the US. When women are running around half naked do you really have to be covered head to toe to achieve modesty?

Probably not. But that might not be the point. I cover up more than I need to because I refuse to give in to what society tells me is beautiful. That I can't be beautiful without first appealing to the sexual desire of the opposite sex. To counter that, I dress conservative but elegant. Beautiful like a princess. A confident but covered woman. I don't want to encourage this sexy=beautiful mentality. Its dangerous, and unfair.

Oh yeah and totally not equal.

Um...Christopher St is back that way

I was on the train last night coming back from Circle. At circle, we talked about najis things and how to clean them. This time it actually made sense :). And then we talked about intentions and how important they are. How we do need to scold ourselves when we don't fulfill our promises but we also have to be careful not to scold ourselves so much that we fall into a depression and stop completely (ME! that was ME!)

The train. I'm on the train coming back in my long abaya style coat and black hijab. The kind of hijab that very much screams Islam, like the kind that they wear in Persepolis. I'm on the train and I hear a bunch of ladies, most likely in their 50s, talking about where they are trying to go. They are talking and talking and I hear them mention "Christopher St". By now, we are already in the middle of the city, Christopher St is way down town. So I did something I'm usually too nervous to do: I interrupted them to see if I can help.

I called over to them really nicely and they were surprised but so relieved to find out someone knew how to get them to their hotel! I told them where to get off and what train to take back (They got the orange train confused with the red one. They needed the red one). And the tallest lady turned to me and said "Without you we would have never figured it out. Thank you". And I smiled, happy to help.

And then I realized something. Not only did I just do a good deed which is good in itself but I just did a good deed for Islam. These ladies just saw a little muslim woman be kind, helpful, and friendly. I little muslim woman who just joked with them about getting lost and offered to help them find their way. I just did a good thing for the image of Islam.

And maybe that is why one should wear the scarf in the US. To try and improve the image of Islam. No it shouldn't just be on the back of women, I agree. But, it is a nice thought that I may have just improved six people's image of Islam. Just by being myself.

Why Some Men Want The Scarf

I have not, until now, been able to understand why a husband would want his wife to wear a scarf in America. Let's face it. America does not like the scarf. It makes it hard to get a job, people stare at you constantly, and often you feel as though you might be in danger. At least, this is how I feel. And I couldn't understand why My Love was perfectly ok with me feeling this way. Why was the scarf so important to him that he could dismiss how I feel? How I feel scared and in danger?

I could only think of three reasonings:

1) Because Shariah says so
2)Because he wants to make sure his wife is for his eyes only (possession)
3)Because his family will think less of me/community will think less of me if I don't

So I asked him. Up until now I only got "Because you are suppose to". Which, in my opinion, is not a good enough reason to do anything. So asked him to really, fully tell me why he wants me to wear a scarf so badly. Why is it so important that it can make or break a marriage.

So he told me. And it was fascinating. So fascinating I wanted to share it will all of you because now I understand the scarf so much better than I did before.

1) To protect the wife from the eyes of men. Men will look and he does not want his wife disrespected in such a way. The scarf hides a lot of the natural beauty of a woman removing a lot of unwanted sexual attention. It can protect the wife from unwanted advances.

2) It covers the hair which is one of the most sexual parts of a woman's body. It excentuates all her features and makes her more alluring. By wearing the scarf it tones down the woman's natural beauty and prevents unwanted advances. (I think a bun achieves a similar effect)

3) He wants his wife to get the respect she deserves. Now I don't think the scarf commands respect in this country but I understand where he is coming from. At least I would be well respected in the muslim community. And most men would leave me alone or at least speak respectfully to me.

4) He feels it is a major part of the religion. Now this I am not so sure of (No you do not need to quote hadiths at me) but I can see where he is coming from. From his perspective, the most important part of hijab is the scarf. I think the most important part is how you conduct yourself. But we all have differences of opinion.

I'm sure it also has to do with how his parents and community would see me. But it seems to be a small part since he is willing to allow me to go to work and see my family without it. But its made me realize again why its important and why I need to give it a second chance.

Wanting to Jump Off The Hijab Wagon

Has this happened to any of you?

I've been having a rough month. Let's just say I've taken a break from a lot of things to reassess my current situation. And although good the frustration is making some things difficult.

Like modest dress. I don't know why because I hate wearing tight clothes, short skirts, and low cut tops but lately I am getting the urge to dress like the rest of the women at work. Partially its because I'm going into all the stores, seeing the summer fashion, and realizing I can't wear any of it. All it does is remind me of how hot I will have to be in the summer and how much I don't want to wear a scarf in 90 degree heat. How I want to wear short sleeves, no scarf, so I don't pass out (I get heat stroke easily) while walking through the city. I am horribly annoyed at my clothes, mostly because I am bored with them. Its winter outside, its 80 degrees inside my office. So I can't dress in winter fashion because I will boil in my office. Yet, its too cold outside to use spring fashion or wear a skirt. Its also too icy for heels. So I'm stuck with my basic long sleeve T, cardigan, and jeans. SO BORED.

Also, I never get compliments on my clothes anymore. Yes that is ridiculous and self centered but I don't. One of the girls will walk into work in her tiny dress and heels and everyone will be all "Oh you look so good! I love that outfit!" but that never happens to me anymore. I use to be the main fashionista of my old office, everyone asked me for fashion advice. Not anymore. My previous boss in my current office use to compliment my outfits all the time, but she too dressed modestly. Now I only get compliments if I'm around muslimahs. Why this frustrates me I don't know, I'm a bit ashamed to admit to it myself.

I think it boils down to the fact that I sometimes feel its unnecessary in the US to dress as modestly as hijab requires, especially in the summer. Women run around half naked in the summer. And its ok. They wear bikini tops and shorts on the train for crying out loud! Tiny shorts, tanks, etc. So I feel rather modest in my t-shirt and linen pants, my maxi dress and short sleeved cardigan, and overly modest in my ubber wide leg jeans, shirt, and cardigan with a scarf. It seems unnecessary and attracts so much attention simply because the norm in the summer is so far away from hijab. Now is this a good reason to not do hijab: not really. But it does make some sense. I think I will always be on the side of modesty needing to be relative to your culture.

I feel like I'm having a mid-life crisis. Maybe a mid-religion crisis. The scarf and I no longer have a good relationship, my feelings about how necessary it is have changed. I still think its pretty, I love what it stands for, but I am having issues with it being necessary for my everyday life. Modesty is relative to where you live. Of course, My Love wants me to wear it and is not happy that I'm leaning toward not doing so anymore. But he doesn't understand: Hijab and scarf are two different things. Then again, a lot of women will say it is. I don't know like I said mid-religion crisis.

Once the maxi dresses hit the shelves I'll feel better.

Maybe this is just the beginning of the end.

Square Scarf?

This is kinda random but I am now on a mission. A mission to find a light blue cotton square scarf. Emphasis on COTTON. That has been the problem. Chiffon will not be good when its hot, nor will satin because it is slippery. Silk is nice but then I need an underscarf and its back to hot.

I can't find any. Anyone know where you can find cotton square scarves? Or the awesome triangles ones! That is what a friend of mine wears but she says you have to get them from India or Pakistan :(.

Any suggestions?

The Hijabi Monologues

Brilliant. This play was amazing! And we only saw half of it!

The author came and performed 4 of the monologues from the show. They were so moving. I expected them to be about wearing a scarf but it was more about being a woman. One covered a muslim teen getting pregnant. Another having male friends who were her Hijabi Protectors. Another a football game in which one in a green niqab and another in a football outfit ran to find somewhere to pray during a game. And another angry at the world for hating on her. All true stories from muslim American women. Mash'Allah.

It moved me. It made me miss acting soooooo much (I was an actor for 7 years). I wanted back in the game when I saw how she moved the people with her message. All the good she did. Insha'Allah one day I will get the guts to contact them and audition to be part of the full length show. I would love to produce this here. Its a must see.

It should be on youtube so when it is Insha'Allah I will post it.

I got to take Sis with me to the show which was fun. We've never hung out before and it was really nice. Sr. N and Sr. Nina (my convert friend) came as well. It was so nice to hang out with the girls take pictures and walk around the campus. We even stopped by the prayer room to pray. I love hanging out with them. I love the muslim community. Every time I go to an event I feel so full of joy. I feel "this is what I need" when I am there. And it makes me wonder why I haven't taken my shahada. I remember of course my issues, and my mother, and thusly why I have not done so. But there are days where I wish I could just give in, take my shahada, and be muslim. This was one of those days.

Best Hijab Lecture Ever

Ange on Hegab Rehab posted this. its wonderful. Mash'Allah it makes me believe even more in hijab.

No god but God - Hijab

pgs 71-74 discuss the evolution and the importance of hijab in modern society. That indeed, what may have once been used by other societies for opression has become a symbol of power, strength, and faith. That women all over the world are fighting to get back the Islam of the Prophet. The Islam that was equal for both sexes, where both sexes lived in harmony.



Today, throughout the Muslim world, a whole new generation of contemporary female scholars is reengaging the Qur'an from a prespective that has been sorely lacking in Islamic scholarship. Beginning with the notion that it is not the moral teachings of Islam but the social conditions of seventh-century Arabia and the rampant misogyny of male Quranic exegetes that has been responsible for their inferior status in Muslim society.

The so called Muslim women's movement is predicated on the idea that Muslim men, not Islam, have been responsible for the suppression of women's rights. For this reason, Muslim feminists throughout the world are advocating a return to the society Muhammad originally envisioned for his followers. Despite differences in culture, nationalities, and beliefs, these women believe that the lesson to be learned from Muhammad in Medina is a society in which Muhammad designated women like Umm Waraqa as spiritual guides for the Ummah; in which the Prophet himself was sometimes publicly rebuked by his wives; in which women prayed and fought alongside the men; in which women like Aisha and Umm Salamah acted not only as religious but also as political - and on at least on occasion military- leaders; and which the call to gather for prayer, bellowed from the rooftop of Muhammad's house, brought men and women together to kneel side by side and be blessed as a single undivided community.

Randomness of Today

My super and his family are muslim. Yep, that is correct. Had NO IDEA. I was stepping out to go grocery shopping and I had hijab on and his wife pops her head out to ask me a question about their computer and she looks at me and goes "You cover? Oh you are muslim! I am muslim!" And I tried to explain that I'm not officially muslim and I'm studying but she didn't really get it. So while I and another girl are trying to fix their computer she is babbling at her husband in well something, (they don't speak Arabic I'm not sure what it is) and poking him trying to get him to see I have hijab on. I know she was talking about me because muslim slipped into her sentences. Yes today I also learned they are from Syria. Had NO IDEA. I thought they were slavic! Maybe I miss understood and she said Serbia.....

She got so excited. I love how excited muslims get when they find another muslim. Its like when a Catholic finds another Catholic. I would have never guessed they were muslim though, since she doesn't wear a scarf and wears American clothes just like everyone else (short sleeves, regular jeans etc). Who knew?

Other randomness:

Its weird when you are the only hijabi at the super market even though you live in a neighborhood with a lot of muslims.

Mango juice rules and I will in fact walk 20 blocks to get the giant bottle. Then again it was over 50 degrees in the middle of winter today.

Indians and Pakistanis have the best clothes ever! Sometimes I wish I wasn't so white so I could wear Shalwar Kameez but alas I would look ridiculous. Love the colors.

I want to know how to use a square scarf. I see these girls and they looks so cute but I have no idea how to wear one! I know how to do the Turkish style (which looks great but feels like it is choking me) and the basic "throw it on your head pin it under your chin" look. Anyone have a video "how to" they can recommend?

Hijab Update 12/12/09

Ive lost track so this is how I will title these from now on :)

I now wear a scarf pretty much where ever I go on the weekends. I'm finally use to seeing myself in it which is great.

Somehow I was the only hijabi in the grocery store today. That was weird. I mean its freezing here so that could have something to do with it. I always feel a little more comfortable if I spot another hijabi. When I don't I feel a little out of place.

Hijab does not keep your head as warm as you think. I thought my regular scarf would be enough to battle the 20 degree cold. It was not. However, berets over a scarf are super cute and keep you toasty warm.

Headbands hurt. They have about a 4 hour limit. Even after you have stretched them, they hurt. I'm going to have to invest in some hijab caps. The one I have does not hurt my ears. I will, however, still use headbands because they look super cute on top of the scarf if you wrap it similar to the way my character Elle wraps her scarf.

I got the death glare for the first time from a 50+ year old white man. I have never seen so much hate in a person's eyes for absolutely no reason. It aggravated me. I wanted to follow him around and ask him what his problem was. Usually when I get stared at its more of a double take, a shock from seeing a blue eyed white girl in hijab. I only seem to get mean looks from white men in their 50s. Not sure why. Maybe they feel I betrayed my kind by becoming something they are against. I feel like a Cylon (watching much BSG), I look human and I have feelings like a human but they don't want to treat me like I'm human. I'm wondering if Islam is one of the parallels Battlestar is addressing....

I wear more makeup in hijab than out. I think I am overcompensating for the fact that you cannot see my eyebrows. They are way too light and I have to put color in them when I cover my hair or I look bald. I also HAVE to wear mascara since my eyelashes are clear. If I don't I look super bald. Not good in my book.

I am less nervous about running into people I know in hijab. I have become ok with the possibility that I will run into my neighbors. But I like my hijab, I want to wear it, and if they don't like it too bad. I only get to wear it twice a week and I am going to enjoy it whether they like it or not. I'm pretty sure it won't cause any problems though.

Top 10 Transitional Items: Scarf

Scarves are not just for muslim women ladies. A scarf can be used for a variety of things to make an outfit more modest. Use it to cover a low neckline, drape it as a shawl to cover your shoulders, or wrap it around your neck and let it float. It is the most versatile accessory.

Of course, it can be used for hijab. Here are my favorite tutorials.



Amenkin summer Hijab




Stores:

H&M

Sensational Hijabs and Scarves

Middle Eastern Mall

Top 10 Transitional Items

I have decided to do a series of "Top 10 Transitional Items". These items will be basics that are extremely useful for transitioning to a modest wardrobe. This will not apply to only muslims but to any woman interested in starting a modest wardrobe. They will not be in any particular order because I think all 10 are equally valuable. They will also include sketches on how to use the item in question :)

So stay tuned. They will be filed under "Top 10 Transitional Items" and "hijab"

Tight Ts

I cannot understand this. Maybe someone can enlighten me. Why do the men not have to physically do anything to achieve hijab? Yes, they are required to lower their gaze and treat women with respect. They are also required to cover themselves from waist to knee. But that is it. While we have to wear flowy long clothing with a scarf and lower our gaze and talk softly and not wear too much makeup and long sleeves in summer and...well you get the idea.

So why is it that muslim men are allowed to run around in tight t-shirts and jeans? God forbid a muslim woman accidentally wears a long sleeve T that is a little tight or a scarf that is a bit too short. I know that we have more to cover and that is part of it. It just seems to me that the men can wear whatever they want. They even run around shirtless on the beach! Now, if hijab is partially suppose to be about making it a little easier on the opposite sex, why are men allowed to parade themselves in front of women? Women are very attracted to the upper body of a man and a tight t-shirt only accentuates this. But we apparently have more natural self control so we just are suppose to not look? Is that it? Because I can tell you if an attractive man walks past me shirtless or in a tight T I am gonna look. You can't help it! Its the same as if a woman walks by in a mini skirt, its like instinct. Its like the volleyball scene in Top Gun. You can't look away, too many attractive shirtless sweaty men playing volleyball. I'm sure that's why it has its own chapter on the DVD called "volleyball scene".

*spaces to epic volleyball scene* If only Christian Bale and Ryan Renolds had been involved.

Anyway back to the point :)

I love hijab, I do. I just don't think it is fair. I don't like tight clothing, I find it uncomfortable. I love my long skirts and tunic shirts. But I do not like women checking out My Love because his shirt is tight. Maybe that is me being insecure, I don't know. All I know is I don't like it.

So why why why are they allowed to do this? While we have to swelter in the heat and never go in a swimming pool.

Yes My Hair Is Long

I was in a hurry this morning so instead of putting my hair up in a bun or clip I quickly pulled it back and ran out of the house. I get to work and one of the girls comes up to me:

" Your hair looks different."

I thought for a moment then replied "Its not in a bun."

"OH that's it! Huh its curly."

I thought, 'This is a bit strange'. Yet things like this kept happening.

"Wow your hair is long! I like it."

"You have curls, is that natural?"

"Why don't you wear your hair down?"

etc, etc. I made up some excuse like "Oh its a lot of work to wear it down." to avoid my true reason. I haven't worn my hair down in public in over a year. It started as an experiment to see what hijab would be like and I got use to it. Now it feels bizarre if I try to step out with it down. I feel naked and need to put it up in a clip or at least back into a ponytail. It occured to me today that my current office has never seen me with my hair down, which would explain them having a reaction to me with a ponytail. You don't realize how much people notice your hair until you do something different. Is hair really that important? Or is just such a defining feature that we notice when it changes on a person? I'm not sure but it was an odd reaction.

All I know is, I am making sure I put it in a bun from now on. I want to avoid the "why do you never wear your hair down" question. Its awkward for me. I'm not ready to let office acquaintances know of my religious exploration.

Hijab Take 3

I do not know why but when I am feeling down or unsure about my studies wearing hijab picks me up. I wore it last night when I went out to dinner then wandered around in the foggy evening. I wore a cherry red scarf that has a slight shimmer, I love it! Added my long denim skirt, white long sleeved t-shirt and a sleeveless cardigan. Good to go.

I used this style from Amenakin's youtube channel

Super cute, super easy. I had to use a cloth headband as an underscarf to keep it from slipping back. The style is back heavy. I suppose pinning the scarf to my hair would have helped. You are suppose to be able to do this style without an underscarf but I just couldn't get it to stay. About half way through the night the underscarf began to hurt my ears because it was pushing them back from being too tight, I forgot to stretch it. Oooops. I love the way the scarf twists in the front. It is stunning if your scarf has a slight shimmer. Definitely a good style for the school.

Not much happened this time. Just noticed a couple things:

Women do not like to make eye contact with you in hijab. I think they are afraid you will think they are staring.

I wanna wear it again. I get this urning. I wish I knew how to explain it. Like a craving. Or like when you miss someone and want to see them. This little tugging at my heart that says "wear it again!". I dunno what it means, but it doesn't stop till I wear it.

What Do You Mean They Don't Understand Hijab?

Insha'Allah I'm going to start going to the school soon and yesterday I was discussing it with My Love. I was saying how I will be a bit odd to them, a non-muslim at their school. On top of that, a non-muslim who knows how to dress in traditional hijab (scarf + jilbab). And he smiled and said:

"You will make those who understand it very happy."

I looked at him confused. "Those who understand what?"

"Hijab."

I stared at him. "How can they not understand hijab? They are born muslims going to the Islamic school. Don't they have to wear scarves and abayas to the school?"

"Well yes but just because they wear it to the school doesn't mean they understand it. A lot of the young women won't really get why they are wearing it. You have to get to a point where you understand it before it starts to mean anything."

"But shouldn't their mothers have taught them about hijab?"

"Maybe they don't understand it either."

I just sat there in shock. I do not know how you can not understand hijab. I get how you might not see why some feel that you need to wear an abaya or a scarf. That I get. But to not understand the concept seems odd. Its quite simple. You need to dress and behave so you are treated the way you want to be treated. By dressing modestly you say to the world " I respect myself, and I want you to respect me". As I've said, you can't get the respect you deserve in a tube top and mini skirt. So if they don't understand it, why wear it? I suppose its the blind following issue all over again. I do not understand why people are so willing to blindly follow everything they are taught. If you don't know why you are doing something it is your job to find out.

I'm pretty sure if these women went out in hijab they would realize right away what it is for. Hijab was what initially attracted me to Islam. I've been dressing hijab appropriate (without a scarf) for way over a year and I noticed a significant difference in how I am treated. No cat calls, so stares, no random men coming up to me asking me out (I hate getting hit on. I know weird right?). You are also more comfortable not worrying about hem lines or your shirt moving and exposing your bra. No worries, no tape, free to do as you please. And you can still look very beautiful and classy. I'd rather be elegant and classy than sexy any day.

Those who were born muslim - did your moms teach you about hijab or did you have to learn its purpose all on your own?

NOTE: I am not talking about wearing the scarf. I'm referring to the concept of hijab and modest dress. In this case hijab does not equal head scarf.