An American's Day with Hijab

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The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said, “It is better for one if he takes his rope, gets up early in the morning to go into the mountains, cuts and brings a load of firewood on his back, and sells it, and eats from this and gives charity from it so that God preserves his self-respect. This is better than that he should beg of people who may sometime give him something but may also sometime refuse to.” [Bukhari]

An American's Day with Hijab
~ Scarves For Solidarity Day ~

Greetings,

In an effort to share my compassion for Muslim communities, today, I put on a purple-scarf, navy blouse and ankle-size skirt and walked into a Florida-supermarket; this is not unusual way for me to dress,so I was comfortable, except the way I wore the scarf, covering all my long hair and forehead, really stood out.

The looks I was receiving were astounding, they all had lots of energies behind it. If people looked from the side or behind, where they could not see my face, I could sense from many 'what is she doing here?' (this is the store I often shop in).I made a point to look as many people into their eyes as I possibly could, if they returned the eye contact, I would smile & held my thought "Peace be with you".

The first group of people, about one-third, seemed to respond with 'Oo, she is friendly', and with lots of relief, although as they passed me I could sense, in their mind, they tried to figure me out, white face but 'Hijab' (scarf) --- it stimulated their thoughts!

Another third would looked at me, even my face, but would avoid the eye contact, this group seemed to be so surprised to notice my presence with the scarf, on a day that American-government is bombing a Muslim nation of Afghanistan, that they were pre-occupied to figure out if I really belong into this store/community or what was I doing there?

As I was gathering my green-peppers, I sensed they were looking at me & continue to check me out. The last third portion of people I encountered, were less friendly, almost went out of their way to avoid me; they would look down to the ground if I pass them. I sensed they would rather see I was not among them, it did not matter what color my face was--- I was wearing 'hijab'.

The cashier has seen me before but didn't recognize me. As I was standing in her line, she seemed to be curious. This was a woman in her 40's. When I got closer, and I responded friendly to her question, she responded, in front of all other people in the line who were still starring at me, very friendly, smiled, and wished me a good day. I gave her my usual 'parting greeting', "Peace be with you". But it was just that today, when the news media was reporting war-situation, it had a different meaning to her and those that over-heard it. An older man who was packing food for this cashier, was just starring into me, really boldly, and seemed to be taken back about the exchange between me and the cashier.

Later in the day, I walked into another major store, in the mall, and had very similar experience.

In between, I stopped at the mailing-post, and to my surprise, they were open (Columbus day) but the box was empty. I noticed the employee, who knew me, walking towards me. Since she could not see my face, she must have thought that I was a stranger and her energies were more like 'you don't belong here, let me help you out'; then, her eyes just widened as she recognized my face, and I smiled asking: 'Did we get the mail yet?'

There was a pause, as she attempted to collect herself from the surprise, and then we shared our friendly exchange, although I could feel her trying to clear astonishment as she continued with other customers waiting.

Overall, I feel this was a meaningful experience for the community, mostly I felt ok except a few man that kept starring as I walked towards a car. I'll return tomorrow to the mailing-post at a time when it's less crowded and chat with the woman there.

I found this definition of word "Hijab", it comes from the Arabic word "Hajaba" meaning to hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of Hijab is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. The question now is what is the extent of the covering? The Qur'an gives only guidelines for covering....The Hijab (scarf) is worn outwardly to show the inner Hijab of compassion, honesty, and love, which is carried in the hearts and souls of Islamic men and women alike.

I need to research the feeling I have that there is a deeper, spiritual inner- and outer-comparison of 'Hijab'.

In loving service to Light,

I am Olga

Date/Time Last Modified: 6/17/2002 3:36:19 PM