I'm Afraid To Where My Hijab / Head Covering. What Do I Do?

Question

I am a Christian woman who likes hijab. I like it for several reasons. It's a constant reminder of God's love. It feels like his loving arms wrapped around me and is like a constant reminder to be good. There for my mind is more on Him and on watching my the words that come out of my mouth. Also, I've had alot of bad experiences with men. I live in a bad area of town. Been taken advantage of alot. In Hijab people don't mess with me and treat me nicer. But sometimes it reminds me of some of my trauma. Which isn't good. Anyways, I'm afraid to where it because it makes my family tease me and it triggers the religous fanatic neighbour of mine to preach at me. And I'm sick of it. This guy disrespects every religon I've studied and says his is the only way and then gets after me for not being able to make up my mind and stick to just one religion when he's the one tearing apart everything that's sacred. Also, I've feared someone might think I'm a terrorist. And some stores don't allow hats.

Answer 1

You can wear just a regular lady's head scarf. It doesn't have to be a hijab. A scarf would give you the same result without sending the message that you belong to a false religion.

Answer 2

Ok first I want to say please please please go and get some help for how you feel about men. Covering yourself for religious purposes is great and good and I have no problem with it. Using Hijab as protection is not so great, if what has happened to you is affecting your life that much you need to go and get some counseling. There are a lot of women's groups out there that offer free help.
In terms of the guy next door, would wearing a cross on display help too (as this is your religion). Could you say to him that's a good point I will consider it every time he says something. You may find that the path of least resistance gets boring to him. Even if he says something stupid like "you women are all the same why can't you be more like men and you're fat you need to loose weight". If you answer "that is a good point I will consider" it people get confused very quickly especially if you say it calmly.

Answer 3

You're not the only one. There are a growing number of Catholic and other Christian women who want to wear hijab for various reasons. Get some counseling and help for your "trauma" before taking on something that's capable of causing you further harm and suffering which would be the scrutiny (however unkind it is, sadly) you would be under in such garb. It takes a serious amount of healthy concept of your own ego to do things like this.

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Answer 4

You sound like you have some problems that go above and beyond what sort of headgear you wear.

You should see a counselor and try to work through some of that. Insisting on a particular kind of funny hat, no matter what its origin, is just a Band-Aid for the real problem here, and you probably won't be happy until you can get through that.

You *shouldn't* ever feel like you have to hide yourself just to keep other people from bothering you.

Answer 5

If you feel comfortable wearing it, then wear it. But if you are wearing it because you think a man won't attack you because of your clothing, then you need help. There's a big difference between dressing modestly and hiding in fear. If you are referring to sexual assault, appearance really has nothing to do with it. It's about force and control, it's a sick person that would do that. Most men are able to control themselves regardless of what allah says. You are allowing yourself to remain a victim and that will hurt you more than anything a man can say or do to you. I've been there and will never change who I am or live in fear. Be yourself and tell that neighbor of yours to get lost!

God Bless.