Re: Hijab or not hijab?

Dear Chahida

Thank you for writing . I see a lot of soul searching and truth seeking 
in what you write. Personally I think the answer lies within your heart. 
Being a Muslim from a Muslim country makes it easier for me to adopt the 
headscarf. I m not sure if by hijab you mean the niqab which covers the 
face or only the scarf which covers the hair and neck down to the chest. 
I have found traveliing in the Non Muslim world , I did not have any 
problems nor did I feel any hatred. Perhaps this is because the time I 
spent is not long enough to experience what you experienced but I have 
travelled alone in the US for a month last year with no untoward 
incidences and only once did I notice someone look at me with a bit of 
distaste.

Working in the Psychiatric department perhaps you are more aware that 
much of what we feel is perceived within us and sometimes does not match 
what is reality. This being the case, we may not feel attacked or 
threatened in the face of negativity and on the other hand we may feel  
attacked even when there is no negativity .

Since the concept of modesty is also very much related to culture , one 
person may be modest wearing a miniskirt in one culure and another may 
be seen to be brazen while fully covered . So this is why I say, it is a 
matter of using your discretion and what you are most comfortable with 
and what feels right in your heart.

wasallam
Suriya


Chahida Elisabeth wrote:

>This is the first time I write to this list.  I am a convert, 36 years old,
>working as a nurse within psychiatry. I mebraced Islam in 1988 and my
>husband in 1990.
>
>I used to wear hijab for 12 years, but took it off 4 years ago.  I was worn
>out of always being the one to represent islam and the one that had to
>defend it.  i was tired of being the different one.  Especially since i was
>working full time.
>
.