You know what I think? I think people live to defend their choices, or mainly to prove that what they choose for their life is the right thing to do or to live!
Before I leave to the Netherlands, I got only two reactions from family, friends, colleagues and quittances who knew that I will be leaving for one year for my Masters
From my liberal friends, if we agreed to call them liberal : “oh yeah Heba this will make you good, you will come back completely changed, you will get rid of hijab you will be totally different!” Ah ha, supposing that I’m this enchained poor minded girl, who ya haram the society oppresses her, forcing her to wear, this alienated oppressing dressing code named Hijab (head cover), ya salam! This came from people (meanly women, because unfortunately it’s mainly women who exercise discrimination and alienation against their fellow women in our society) who knew me well, saw me progressing, fighting for my choices and trying to accomplish myself. These same women who, may be, never moved a finger to make their life better, or had the will to really make their own choices and never challenged themselves. But, hey they think they have the superiority over me because simply they don’t wear hijab and I do. And they assume that one trip to Europe , although it’s not my first time to travel and to travel alone , that will LEBERATE ME. HAH!
Now to the other side, which is more conservative, and again coming from women (we should stop to do this to ourselves seriously) but this time, from veiled ones, who pushed it to the extend of warning me from taking it off! “Don’t dare to take it off!” Walahy?!!
As If I’m this weak person, who will jump to the opportunity to be alone in a neutral environment to take it off! And as if I’ll betray them, as if this hijab, head and body are not my own, but theirs! I’m not wearing it for myself, to get closer to God, to be more spiritual, or to express my belief! No, I’m just wearing it to serve their cause! To prove to the world that their choices in life are the right ones!
From my opinion, the two sides are the same, they don’t really care about me, or how my life, the materialistic and spiritual ones evolving, they only care about proving that they did chose right! that they got the truth and the real essence of life. Of course what I’m writing here in this case can’t be applied on everyone i know, I can’t and I won’t generalise!
But to the two groups of people that I have mentioned, which include some members of family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances and belmara the world, I have just one word to tell you! BACK OFF!
After more than 10 years wearing my veil, I may till I die still be wearing it, one year in Europe won’t change it nor liberate me because I AM ALREADY A FREE WOMAN. Or, I may tomorrow take it off and it’ll be my choice, my life! I may decide that I have to find another way to express my faith and live it! Because I AM A MUSLIM AND PROUD.
This is said, have a good night and sleep well ….
Dear Heba, nice piece as usual, simple and hitting the right cord.
It’s a pity how both types of people think about you, but it’s clear that they don’t really know you, otherwise they would have known better. I’m sure you’ll amaze them when you come back a year later.
Well, to add to your analysis, people also think only in black-and-white; you can either be liberal or religious. You cannot take the best of both worlds… stereotypes are still deeply rooted in people’s minds.
Anyway, good luck with your Masters.
i couldn’t say better, thank you Hassabo for ur feedback and nice words 🙂
A beautiful and powerful statement! You are free to choose whatever is best for you and no one else! Bravo!
Thank you Leanne i appreciate your support 🙂