I grew up in a Muslim family and saw that my mum always wore the hijab. I always wanted to wear it too, but I was  still pretty small so when I was 11, I started wearing the hijab. People said I looked much older now in fact once I was in Butlers cafe and a lady came over and thought that my baby sister was my daughter. That was really weird! Then I started going to secondary school and some of the girls asked me some hilarious questions like do you sleep on that, or do you shower and that one you and asked me if I had hair under my hijab. I assure you that I do. I was also asked if I stuck a pin in my head and I was like of course not I pin my scarf down not my head!

Some asked if I had to get my hijab specially made and I was like yeah specially made by Penney’s.  There are many advantages to wearing the hijab, for example, if you were having a bad Hair day…no one’s going to know 🤫. Also, when it’s freezing... double protection 😎. I got asked if I was forced to wear my hijab or why I wore it and I was always proudly able to say that no I am not forced to wear it and I wear it because my God has instructed me to. I saw that some women choose not to wear it and that is their choice, and it must be respected as it is between them and God. As for me I love wearing my hijab and I love my huge and ever-growing collection of scarves.

Thank you.

By Maria Syed

Dublin