Brace yourselves for the answer, because, if you're Christian or Jewish, your religion commands the same thing!
Yes, I know I look like a ninja - especially because I like to wear black... a lot...
But, if you're of any Abrahamic religion - Islam, Christianity or Judaism....
You are supposed to wear hijab, too!
And, this is not my personal opinion...although I would greatly prefer not to see your boobs, and your bellybutton, and your butt cheeks... at least not all in one outfit. The Bible and Torah mention hijab as well!
Don't believe me?
Have you ever seen a nun?
Or an Orthodox Jewish woman? If you answered no, scroll up a little - those women are JEWISH, or as I like to say, those are some Nin-jews. They ain't Muslim.
Or, have you ever seen the Virgin Mary?
They are all wrapped up like burritos, just like ME!
Now, you may not think Mary was a fashion guru, maybe you prefer the booty shorts and tube tops.. and that's fine! But the Bible says that hijab is necessary- at least when you pray:
Check out First Corinthians 11:
11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shaven: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
So, ladies
, should I bust out the hair clippers and pull a "Brittney" head shave on you
or
do you want to borrow my scarf? I have plenty to loan you!
There are similar quotes in Torah, and some very strict Jewish women are even required to cover their heads at home... I'm not overly familiar with the traditions though, so I encourage you to research them on your own if you want more information.
IF you think my religion is "oppressive," and that women are covered up because men "control" them, or maybe you think I'm "brainwashed"...
Your religion - and other religions command - not request, COMMAND, the same thing. The only difference is that I follow it.
And that's not to say that I look down on you because you don't wear hijab, I'm just saying that you shouldn't judge my religion because of what you think is right.
I didn't think being objectified by men based on how I looked was that much fun... and, I realize now that I was losing sight of what actually mattered in life when I would care so much about how I looked.
Having guys stare at your butt is notfreedom.
To me, that is oppression.
Now, for a humorous anecdote about a Christian woman and my hijab...
Although I am only 22, I held a high position at a small real estate company in my previous job. I was interviewing a realtor trying to see if she may be right for the job. She was in her seventies, sweet, old, African American woman. During the interview, she said to me : "I'm a good Christian lady" - this is when I knew it was going to take a turn for the inappropriate - "I go to church! And, I wear a hat to church - just like you!"
Now, if this little old lady knew to wear a hat to church, you should know that people do that for a reason.
I took my good friend Colleen to TJMaxx once and she wanted me to put it on her - so I did.
She said she felt so comfortable and normal, too - eventhough she is not Muslim. The only challenge was to find a scarf that would fit on her head with all those darn dredlocks!
Finally, as I have mentioned before, once you try hijab on your head, it feels right.
If you're not Muslim, and you've never tried it, I challenge you to put it on your head and see what you think... just wrap it around... sit there for a few minutes... and see how you feel. Once you get over the initial shock of how "Muslim" you look, you may feel the special feeling I do every day when I put it on.
And - because he is the cutest little boy I know - I thought I'd share this amazing video I took of one of the children I babysit. If he likes my scarf this much, it should be fine by your standards, too!