k I know everyone’s seen this photo from tea noir but w/e.

Day 2: Something you strongly believe in

I feel like I’ve been the worst muslim this year ugh but one thing hasn’t changed: I still stand by my decision to don the hijab. I’ve just realised that it’s been 10 years since I’ve made that decision to break my status quo. The first few years were marked by uncertainty, when I found out (the hard way) that as I covered my hair, the opportune doors that would eventually lead to self-discovery were being masked as well. That sounds a little silly but having the hijab on meant that some things became off-limits to me. But I’m not going to dwell on the past. Beyond any religion, a person’s identity, transforming under irregular conditions, is fixed on him managing the line between white and grey. It has been difficult playing swords with my limited knowledge of Islam but I’ve never once allowed my personality to be compromised by my hijab.

Rather, the hijab has become an extension of it; an awkward one at the start but it has slowly transitioned to be what I want it to be. Kay, that’s just crazy talk. The hijab is obviously a piece of cloth but I think mine has a personal history imbued on it now. People think you have to change who you essentially are as a person when you wear the hijab but that’s not true. It might add something to your consciousness but you are what you are and a piece of cloth is not going to take that away from you.