Some of our female Muslim sixth formers reflect on what it means to wear the hijab.
"What does my hijab mean to me? You see it is more than just a piece of material used to cover my hair. My hijab helps me set my boundaries. My hijab puts me in control of MY image. It also contributes to how I want to be seen by others. In a world where the majority of our decisions are made for us by our circumstances, having a say over an article of clothing as significant as my hijab assists me in standing my ground with decisions made by me in reclaiming authority over my body.
But I must confess I have not always been confident in my hijab. It was once a sea of fabric I used to hide behind. Back when I was naive enough to care about “what would others think” but once I realised no one else's opinion mattered if I was sure in myself and my choice of wearing my hijab, it became my shining armour marking my presence loud and proud!"
~Aisha Yaree
"It has made me and so many other young girls feel empowered, not only is it a symbol of my modesty, but also a symbol of my faith that constantly grows"
~ Mariam Khalil
"My hijab reminds me of my identity as a Muslim, therefore I should be a good role model in line with the teachings of Islam"
~ Nada Singab
"To me my hijab is empowering like I have control and don't feel the need to impress those around me while at the same time expressing my religion. I am proud of who I am and would not want to hide it"
~Anonymous (year 10)
