The Hijablog

Hi again!

Sorry, dear readers, for just disappearing like that. I was on vacation without Internet connection. Thanks for visiting and commenting while I was away.

Since I’ve been gone, many of you have commented and joined in on a discussion about right and wrong hijab ect. ect. I appreciate your comments, and I’ve always been a fan of debates and discussions. Most of y’all are really sweet and enlightened, and it’s really good to read what’s on your minds if you agree or disagree with my thoughts and opinions.

Since starting this blog, and after the suddent popularity of it since the end of last month, I’ve been receiving much feedback. Most in my favor, some not. Sometimes people assume that if I do fashion, and talk about that, I must not know much else, about religion and otherwise. Some people assume/feel that since I spend “so much time doing my makeup and shopping”, I can’t make time for prayers, or have money to give to the poor.

There are more neuances to everything than just black and white....

Some girls tell me, that after discovering my blog, they have started trying to wear hijab, or know other girls that have done that. Others are just happy that non Muslims get to read something positive about the hijab.

Two gorgeous Somali girls approached me yesterday, asking if I was that blogger in the newspaper. They just wanted to congratulate me with getting some positive PR and attention about hijab, something that really doesn’t happen a lot here. Awwww beautiful girls, I wish I had asked them to take a photo, their style was really great.

I got a not so nice comment while I was away, that I chose not to approve. Instead I want to adress something from it that was quoted on. First, I want to say that it’s actually not just bad to get negative feedback. Sometimes you can improve and become a better person, while other times, it can be a little harsh.

Sisters, whenever I’m out talking about the hijab, it’s mostly about fashion. I’m not interviewed about Islam, I’m interviewed by non Muslim people, about the hijab in a fashion context. I talk about the hijab styles, fashion, most of all my blog. I love Islam, but I don’t claim to be one that knows all. Therefore, it’s wrong of whoever who judges my knowledge about Islam, based solely on stuff I’ve said in the interviews.

In this comment I’m addressing, the writer asks me why I’m wearing hijab, when I don’t want it to look like hijab, based on something I said in an interview. What people might know is that when you are interviewed, you don’t get two shots. All the stuff that you say, comes out unprepared. Anyway I stand by what I said, in the context I said it. What I said what like; I like Spanish hijab, especially at work, because it doesn’t necessarily look like “hijab”.

Where does this come from? What did I mean? Well, it’s quite simple. Hijab isn’t accepted everywhere. People are not always too happy about hiring women wearing hijab. Of course this is not right, that is not how it should be. But when at work, you often have a dress code to follow. A turtle neck pinned into your simple Spanish hijab covers, looks professional, and at the same time it doesn’t scare ignorant people away.

Some of you sisters are hard working, have education and good jobs. You have jobs where your hijab is accepted, and that’s great. You are lucky. Do your thing. But for me and many other girls that are in the middle of our education or simply don’t have education, we are not able to pick and choose. If I can moderate my outlooks, without moderating the coverage, why not? Better than not being able to wear anything, walla eh??

Private life and work are two different things. You never see me trying to make my hijab look like it’s not hijab in my off-work hours. I love my hijab and my religion, and I’m not afraid to show.

I also got to read being beautiful the way ”I and the West” found beautiful, was the wrong kind of beautiful, and by this kind of beauty, we are spreading fitna. I’m so sorry, anonymous person, but when did I ever define beauty to you? Just because one headline reads “there is nothing wrong with being beautiful”, doesn’t mean that I’ve explained beauty. As I said there, “there is nothing wrong with being beautiful, but one shouldn’t be beautiful in “the wrong way”. One shouldn’t be sexy, using tight or see through clothes, that’s not acceptable hijab.”

Did I command anybody to use tons of makeup or to dress the same way as in all the pictures I post? No. Some of the pictures I post are of hijab, some are only for inspiration. As there are no specific guidelines written in the holy Quraan, regarding the look of covering, we have to think ourselves about what is hijab and what is not. Scholars agree on that the part about not displaying more than what normally is seen; applies to everything except from the face, the hands and in some schools, the feet. Tight and see through garments are also not allowed. There is nothing that tells us to wear dark blue/dark brown/black, and there is nothing to tell us that khimar is more right than the veil. We have to use the smarts God gave us, together with the holy book. We shouldn’t condemn the hijab of one sister as not right, if we t\don’t have proof thereof.

Yes I wear make up, and that’s maybe not good… But how can you, O commenter, tell if I pluck my brows or not. How can you assume that God didn’t give me a shape like that? I am doing haram and so are you. Please don’t judge when you don’t know. May God guide both you and me to know what is right and wrong.

And may Muslim women of all kinds continue to get positive attention in the West, especially those who fight for more important causes.

Ps! More fancy hijab styles coming your way tomorrow