My Hijab Story

Being a student of a convent school, I was accustomed to the conventional look of an

educated female, that is, without a Hijab. On my visit to Dubai in December 2011 for a job
search, I got an opportunity to observe the culture of the Arab peninsula. I was not only
applying for jobs, but my aim was also to study Arab females. I noticed that each Arab
female entering a masjid would greet all with Salam and a pleasant smile. This warm way of
greeting others who were present in the masjid really impressed me. Arab females were very
particular about their namaz and all masjids in the UAE had a female section where females
offered their namaz on time. Abu Dhabi and Sharjah were more Islamic than Dubai which
had a modern perspective and more expats.

While figuring out life in Dubai, I was informed that there were two options for a female to
opt for an official dress to the office: eastern wear (Abaya) or western wear (dress pants and
shirt). While shopping in Sharjah, I bought an Abaya as Arab females inspired me to dress
like them. When I was visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, located in Abu Dhabi, I wore my
new abaya which saved me from wearing the free-style abayas present at the entrance of the
masjid. I enjoyed wearing my new abaya and felt so comfortable in it. This experience let me
wear the abaya again and again during my stay in Sharjah.

On my arrival back to Karachi, I kept pondering over the reason for wearing an abaya – just
for the sake of a job in Dubai. This guilt that I was doing it for a job convinced me to wear an
abaya in Karachi. One day, I wore the same black abaya to my office in Karachi. I remember
how a colleague inquired me about the recent change – Did I come back from Umra or Haj. I
replied to him that I didn’t go for Umra or Haj but started attending religious gatherings
after my return from UAE. The reason of attending such gatherings was to spend more time
with my Mom who was very fond of being part of religious gatherings. While attending
Tafseer-e-Quran, I came to know the translation of Surah Noor. The translation of Surah
Noor emphasized on ...............................

The translation strongly impacted my mind and I reserved myself at work – less interaction
with males.