F.A.Q's

Question's I'm frequently asked; along with some random info. Enjoy!

Are you with the Nation of Islam?
- No.

What kind of Muslim are you?
-Sunni

Were you born Muslim?
-No, I converted my sophomore year of college. (almost a year ago)

What make you convert to Islam?
- We talked about Islam in my African American Studies class and I read into it further.

Do you like being Muslim?
-Yes.

How does your family feel about it?
-I have very limited support from my family.

Is it easy converting?
-It was quite challenging for me due to my support system. I had to make a lot of life changes and I studied all day, every day because this was really something I had my heart set on.

Do you worship a different God?
-No. Allah is God, the one and only.

Do you believe in Jesus?
-Yes, I believe and respect Jesus, as a prophet.

Do you hate Christians?
-No. We just have different beliefs.

Do you go to mosque?
-I have not been yet. Insha'allah, I hope to go soon.

Do you speak Arabic?
-Not fluently. I know a lot of basic words and phrases, but Insha'allah I am looking to learn how to speak Arabic.

Do you pray five times a day?
-Yes

Was it hard giving up Pork?
-No. I eat more pasta and veggies than anything, but I didn't notice how many things I was eating that had pork in it.

Do you wear a hijab?
-I do. I will admit that lately I have not. I made a decision to go natural and I have been attending a lot of events with my family and they aren't accepting my hijab.. so to prevent conflict, I have been hijab-less.

What is the hardest part about being a Muslim?
-For me, it was going against my family and changing a lot of my old habits. It is still a struggle to this day, but I am fighting to stay strong.

Are you treated differently?
-Yes. I get a lot of stares, people don't want to be seen with me in public, people ignore me, I was even denied an application (smh).. but it's all good.

What do you enjoy about being a Muslim?
-I enjoy the support system I get from a lot of other Muslims. I just feel like I'm a part of a big loving family. I'm not told several different things from several different people confusing me, I don't feel judged, I just feel free!

**any other questions, feel free to post them**

Why such a Big Deal?

It really bothers me that people are bothered about me wearing "that thing on my head". That thing on my head is properly called a Hijab. In my opinion, there is nothing negative about a hijab. Many people have worn their own type of hijab and many still are today. Mary and other biblical figures wore a form of "hijab". Nuns wear certain clothes, dress modest and wear a form of "hijab". No one looks at a nun crazy or as being oppressed, so why do they look at muslimahs crazy and oppressed?

A hijab does not change the person underneath it, it just changes their physical appearance. I know it will take some getting used to for my family, friends and teachers, but why is it such a big deal? I will still be the silly, fun loving, smart, friendly girl that I was when people met me. I don't understand why others can't see that.

If you think about it, a hijab has the same effect as if I got in a car accident and lost a leg, if I was burned in a house fire, or if I dyed my hair pink or something. I am physically and somewhat mentally and emotionally changed, but it doesn't take away from the wonderful person that I am on the inside and the wonderful friend I've been for years. A hijab doesn't take away from my talents in art, poetry, computers or music. Hijab doesn't take away my goals and my passion in life to succeed. So why is it so controversial?

-- B. Alula [a proud hijabi]

Shopping!

Great news! I finally got myself some hijabs! It took forever, but great things come to those who wait. I got a 12 pack of assorted color pashmina hijabs, a black and a white under scarf, and some black and white pins. Along with those items, I got some shirts and sweaters. I'm ecstatic! There will be a proud, confident, fashionable, and disciplined muslimah on campus.

-- B. Alula

iHijab