As we begin this blog, I decided to take a look back on my journey towards wearing hijab.

I grew up in a tight-knit little university town where the place to chill, have fun, and learn was the Masjid. Alhamdulillah, there were many teens and twenty-year-olds for little eight-year-olds like me to look up to. I was always inspired by two particular sisters who were involved in the Masjid, in the community and who always had smiles on their faces. Most of all, I was inspired by the fact they both wore Hijab.

Two years later, with the gentle encouraging words of my parents, I too, was wearing hijab. But, as any sister will tell you, it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. I was young and cared a lot about what people thought about me. I was nervous about how my new friends (I had moved) would react. It also took me a few years to realize what proper hijab was.

One of the things that kept me going was the support from my family. I know I couldn’t have done it without their hand on my back, gently guiding me.

So, to all the sisters out there, we at IGIC are YOUR sisters in Islam, your family. No matter where you are, no matter if there are oceans and masses of land separating us, we want to help you in all that is good, because we love each and every one of you, fee sabilillah. We will be there to give you a virtual hug, through the struggles and triumphs of wearing hijab. Wearing hijab isn’t easy, but as a wise sister once said: “With hardship comes reward.” So, to each sister who is wearing hijab, struggling to wear hijab, wanting to wear hijab, increasing in hijab (and the list goes on!): May Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala reward you immensely! Ameen.

With love,
Sarah
(IGIC staff member)