[yeliz]

I re-verted to Islam over three years ago, but didn't cover my head until this past Febuary. The reaction to my covering has gone from one extreme to the other.

I would love to hear from any other sisters who have covered and their experiences.

[cgksheff]

Did you cover your head the first time round?

[Commoner]

Originally Posted by yeliz

I re-verted to Islam over three years ago, but didn't cover my head until this past Febuary. The reaction to my covering has gone from one extreme to the other.

I would love to hear from any other sisters who have covered and their experiences.

You are nothing more than an attention seeker *look at me, the blue eyed Muslim* how sad? Your new found religion does not require this of you only to dress modestly, its the men of your cult that wish you to hide yourself and you just played right into their hands. I bet the reaction is mixed as you probably look very silly indeed.

[dazzler4]

Do what feels right by you! no one else

[yeliz]

Originally Posted by Commoner

You are nothing more than an attention seeker *look at me, the blue eyed Muslim* how sad? Your new found religion does not require this of you only to dress modestly, its the men of your cult that wish you to hide yourself and you just played right into their hands. I bet the reaction is mixed as you probably look very silly indeed.

Thank you my sister, but my religion, my choice.

What do the men of your 'cult' require of you.

[Plain Talker]

I've been wearing hijaab for about 18 months, now. I've had some interesting reactions, some negative, some positive. (I have had an elderly {British} woman, verbally lay into me telling me I was forced into wearing the scarf, but she would not listen when I said I had chosen to wear it of my own volition, for myself.)

I don't mind wearing hijaab. I would far rather people look beyond the physical, and see my intellect.

[AJ sheffield]

Originally Posted by Plain Talker

I've been wearing hijaab for about 18 months, now. I've had some interesting reactions, some negative, some positive. (I have had an elderly {British} woman, verbally lay into me telling me I was forced into wearing the scarf, but she would not listen when I said I had chosen to wear it of my own volition, for myself.)

I don't mind wearing hijaab. I would far rather people look beyond the physical, and see my intellect.

But it is so divisive and alienating all they will see is the cloth.

[Plain Talker]

as an addendum to my comments above. I know of Muslim women who don't wear the headscarf. That's fine. They aren't being made to do anything, either way:- neither forced TO wear, or forced NOT to wear. Their own choice.

I also know of a young woman in the US who is not a Muslim, but who of her own choice has chosen to wear hijaab.

Each to their own.

[Plain Talker]

Originally Posted by AJ sheffield

But it is so divisive and alienating all they will see is the cloth.

That is why I was saying, I want other people to look beyond the scarf.

I do not wear niqaab, (a face veil) so how is it alienating to have a simple piece of material over my head? You can see my face, my expressions, if you are deaf, you can lipread me...

A headscarf was commonplace in my childhood.

[AJ sheffield]

Originally Posted by Plain Talker

That is why I was saying, I want other people to look beyond the scarf.

I do not wear niqaab, (a face veil) so how is it alienating to have a simple piece of material over my head? You can see my face, my expressions, if you are deaf, you can lipread me...

A headscarf was commonplace in my childhood.

Have you ever contemplated wearing a niqaab PT ?

[Plain Talker]

Originally Posted by AJ sheffield

Have you ever contemplated wearing a niqaab PT ?

I did, contemplate, very briefly, but, decided that, here in the UK for me personally I dress modestly enough, and wear a headscarf, which is enough to cover "My Jewels", so I don't need to do any more.

However, If I got a job there, and moved to a country where the niqaab was worn in the street, I'd comply, and wear it there.

[yeliz]

Hi Plain Talker

Yes, I have friends who choose not to wear the scarf, but for those of us that do it's a very personal decision and actually, contary to popular belief it is certainly not something done without a lot of thought.
The reason I posted the thread under the heading 'blue-eyed muslim', is that I feel that women who cover later in life and who are white have a very different experience from our sisters who are not re-verts.

[Plain Talker]

Originally Posted by yeliz

Hi Plain Talker

Yes, I have friends who choose not to wear the scarf, but for those of us that do it's a very personal decision and actually, contary to popular belief it is certainly not something done without a lot of thought.
The reason I posted the thread under the heading 'blue-eyed muslim', is that I feel that women who cover later in life and who are white have a very different experience from our sisters who are not re-verts.

I endured a screaming fit from one woman, some bottle-blonde, poured into leggings and t-shirt about four sizes too small for her, (you know the type, love bites all over the neck, IQ struggling to reach her shoe-size...) she yelled at me "It's my <<expletive>>-ing country!"

On another occasion, I got some idiot pensioners who could not see past the scarf, playing hell at me, muttering that they'd "paid into this country all our life", why should I "come over here and get wheelchairs etc"... which was a double irony, considering a) I was born and bred here for 45 years, and have also worked and paid taxes... and b) I actually funded my wheelchair, myself, it's not even bought on Motability!!!!

[AJ sheffield]

Originally Posted by yeliz

Hi Plain Talker

Yes, I have friends who choose not to wear the scarf, but for those of us that do it's a very personal decision and actually, contary to popular belief it is certainly not something done without a lot of thought.
The reason I posted the thread under the heading 'blue-eyed muslim', is that I feel that women who cover later in life and who are white have a very different experience from our sisters who are not re-verts.

I know a few women converts who made the decision to wear it simply because they feel the need to go that bit further to prove themselves.

[yeliz]

Hi Plain Talker

Really good talking to you, can relate to what your saying.

I was actually attacked by a young girl who called me a 'P*k* Ba*t*rd, when I turned to walk away, she smacked me and pushed me up against a door.

This incident caused my family great concern, my husband actually asked me to take my scarf off, he was so concerned.

But, my belief is much greater than any attack either physical, verbal or mental.

I have to say that it has passed my mind when looking at some of the post on here and the absolute disregard for a persons religion, if that is verbalised within the home, then I'm not suprised that some young people then go out and feel they can attack without any provocation.

[yeliz]

Originally Posted by AJ sheffield

I know a few women converts who made the decision to wear it simply because they feel the need to go that bit further to prove themselves.

Hi AJ

Can you say a little bit more about this.

[epiphany]

Originally Posted by Plain Talker

On another occasion, I got some idiot pensioners who could not see past the scarf, playing hell at me, muttering that they'd "paid into this country all our life", why should I "come over here and get wheelchairs etc"... which was a double irony, considering a) I was born and bred here for 45 years, and have also worked and paid taxes... and b) I actually funded my wheelchair, myself, it's not even bought on Motability!!!!

God there's some ignorant ***** around, isn't there?

Anyway, I completely understand the philosophy behind hijab. Anything to do with privacy has my utmost respect. As long as it is out of one's own will, it seems quite sensible.

[AJ sheffield]

Originally Posted by yeliz

Hi AJ

Can you say a little bit more about this.

Not much to say really yeliz other than in my experience women convert for a man, sometimes they will do anything for their man.

[Crayfish]

Personal opinion: It looks a bit daft; whilst the full on regalia with only the eyes showing is completely sinister. In fact it looks far too much like a ninja costume. This just makes it easier for the real ninjas to blend in. Think it through, people!

I don't have a great deal of respect for any religion, they're all as daft as each other. Choosing to wear desert clothing in the UK all the time comes across as particularly odd though. I'd happily wear this sort of clothing in one of the hot dry countries that it's made for, it makes sense there (except for the ninja thing).

Of course, people can wear what they want and it doesn't harm me, but I will make a snap judgement from apparel, especially when it's so completely out of place.

[yeliz]

Originally Posted by Crayfish

Personal opinion: It looks a bit daft; while the full on regalia with only the eyes showing is completely sinister. In fact it looks far too much like a ninja costume. This just makes it easier for the ninjas to blend in. Think it through, people!

See, I never thought about that!

I don't have a great deal of respect for any religion, they're all as daft as each other. Choosing to wear desert clothing in the UK all the time comes across as particularly odd though. I'd happily wear this sort of clothing in one of the hot dry countries that it's made for, it makes sense there (except for the ninja thing).

Of course, people can wear what they want and it doesn't harm me, but I will make a snap judgement from apparel, especially when it's so completely out of place.

Never judge a book by its cover, and unfortunately wearing what I want to wear, cost me a month off sick.