A few years ago, I was wearing my hijab in the fashion section of a trendy Manhattan store, and someone asked me how I would look with it.
I replied, “I wouldn’t want to.”
It’s not something I wear to be modest, but rather to express myself.
I don’t have a choice.
The hijab is part of my identity, I said, and I wanted to be able to wear it with pride.
And when I heard that the New York City Department of Health had officially announced its first-ever hijab policy for women, I had a bit of a moment.
As the head of the Department of Women and Gender Studies at Columbia University, I am familiar with the challenges women of color face as they seek health and wellness.
I am also aware that hijab is a part of everyday life in America, and that it is a source of empowerment for Muslim women.
As an observant Muslim, I want to encourage all women of all genders and identities to wear hijab and be proud of who they are, to show respect for their culture and history, and to wear a head covering that reflects the spirit of the day.
But for me, the hijab is more than a piece of clothing or a way to be more modest.
I wear it as a way of honoring my heritage, a symbol of the people I am and the people who share my faith.
In the United States, it is an integral part of the Muslim faith.
It is a reminder that Muslims are one nation under God and that our lives are interconnected.
It reflects the diversity of the American Muslim community, and it is also a reflection of the strength of my faith, which is the foundation of my life.
So I decided to go through with my hijab for myself.
And I hope that my experience will encourage other women of faith to follow my lead and wear the scarf in public.
I hope they will not let the hijab dictate who they want to be.
A hijab is an expression of hijab and is a way for Muslims to honor the diversity in our community.
And to me, that is important.
My experience with hijab and my journey as a Muslim woman of color tells me that I have a duty to wear my hijab as an expression, and not to be ashamed of it.
In a world where there are more Muslims than Christians, where Islam is a very popular religion in the United Kingdom, where the hijab has become a symbol for Muslim pride, I see it as an important part of who I am.
But in this era of the Trump administration, it’s even more important for me to be seen as a proud Muslim.
To wear the veil, to wear one of the many head coverings that cover the body, to be in the forefront of the fight against the scourge of Islamophobia, is my duty as a human being.
And that is why I am proud to wear and wear it in public, and why I wear the head covering, which I am honored to wear.
When I see a Muslim who wears a hijab and shares my faith and history with others, I think, This is who I want my community to be like.
It’s important to show them that it’s okay to celebrate who you are and to be proud.
In this day and age, wearing the hijab and showing respect for Muslim tradition and culture is a great way to make a statement.
I will wear the face coverings and the hijab, too, in my own way.
And my sister who is a Muslim will wear them too, and we will both be proud to be who we are.
We will wear our hijabs together, and our hijabi sisters will wear theirs, too.
I want us to be visible and to speak out against this epidemic of Islamophobic violence that we face, so that our community can be better and more united.
As a Muslim, what do you want to wear to celebrate your Muslimness?
Let me know in the comments section.
