Maryam Mohsin

Mrs. Boletsis-Waszczuk & Mr. Zisser

English Language Arts

September 5, 2018

Six years ago, I made a decision to wear the hijab. A hijab is a headscarf that Muslim

women and girls around the world wear as a tradition of their faith to their Creator. It was the

biggest decision I had made at that point in my life because I knew by putting my religion first I

could face criticism from other people. To me, the hijab is a symbol of my love to my Creator

which represents my relationship with Him. Wearing the hijab has been the most liberating

experience and I love wearing it. It reminds me to become a better Muslim. The hijab is my

commitment and I am proud to wear it.

Despite the questions that I might get from others, I felt loyal to the hijab and I

understood that it would affect every aspect of my life, but I didn’t care. I was mentally ready to

do my best handling of anything that was thrown at me. I told my family that “I was only

practicing,” but in the back of my mind, I knew that I would officially wear it, because I was

committed.

I wanted to be amongst the other strong and brave Muslim women in my community and

hear their side of their story based on their experience on wearing the hijab. I wanted to hear how

they felt and if it impacted their way of life. I read an article about Ibtihaj Muhammad whom is

the first Muslim woman to compete in the Olympics wearing a hijab. In the article, she says,

“You have to not just think about yourself, but everyone. And there are … in America … who

don’t feel safe going to work every day, … don’t feel safe in their community. That’s a problem.
… being a kid and people telling me I didn’t belong in my sport because of my skin colour,

because I was Muslim… be able to do that.” She is saying that people shouldn’t be afraid to

accomplish their goals in life even if there will be obstacles trying to knock you down. When you

see someone whom is successful, achieving big goals and resembles you, it makes you feel like

you can be and do anything in this world. I’m happy to say that there are people who are similar

to me and are showing me that even if you wear a hijab, you can do and be whatever you please.

Therefore, it makes me feel very powerful.

In addition, while wearing the hijab for almost 7 years I could say how proud I am to be a

Muslim and how wearing the hijab changed the way I speak and interact with people. Wearing

the hijab is not about an extra cloth on my head, but what I offer to others. I’ve had challenges in

my life, but that didn’t stop me from fulfilling my dreams and being the best that I can be. One of

the challenges that I have faced was 9/11 which happened when I was a newborn. This was a

challenge for me because of how quickly people questioned Muslims and referred to us as

“terrorists.” This makes me feel very outraged because they are not seeing ME as a human being,

but as some negative media stereotype. I have never felt this kind of pain and misery, because I

felt that humanity disappeared. Why did an extra cloth make me different from everyone else?

I’m human too and the way I dress shouldn’t be judged. Another incident that I have faced was

when I was praying in public. A person came up to me while I was praying, tapped on my

shoulder and told me that I was not “allowed” to pray in this area and that I should go

somewhere else. Who gives this ignorant person the right to tell me where I’m supposed to pray?

To recall, this is a “free” country and I’m allowed to pray wherever I want to pray.

The lesson that I have learned is to never judge a book by it’s cover. Judging someone

based on their religion, the way they dress or look is ignorant. You have no idea who someone is
based on their appearance. It's best to get to know a person instead of being influenced by

stereotyping from media sources. With the support of my family, I’m committed to continue

wearing the hijab and ignore any negativity that comes my way. I am a proud young Muslim

woman because of the passion I feel to represent my culture and my faith.