Hijab In High Schools

A time when I questioned a belief of mine was the summer before high school began. I started debating whether I should begin wearing a hijab. I’m a Bengali Muslim and have grown up in a religious household. I’ve attended weekend classes at my local mosque for as long as I can remember. Growing up, all the women in my family wore a hijab and I never thought twice about it. In the back of my head, I always knew that I’d follow my mom and sister when I was older. However, actually making that a reality was the difficult part.

I wanted to start wearing a hijab in high school because I’d be in a new environment. I didn’t wear it in middle school because of the judgment I’d receive; people there were quick to look down on each other. I thought that I would be bullied and harassed. Even though I knew it was the right thing by my religion to cover my hair, I was too afraid of what others would think to do it.

I knew that I’d be in a new environment and people wouldn’t be surprised by my hijab. They wouldn’t know that I just began wearing it and they wouldn’t have to get used to seeing the “new” me. However, I was still extremely hesitant. I worried about getting weird looks from people, about being called insults like “terrorist” by strangers. That’s when I began challenging my belief in my religion.

I started wondering if wearing a hijab was actually of much significance, and what it really meant. I asked the women in my family why they wore it, but their answer made me question my thinking even more. They answered that they wore a headscarf because that’s what Muslim women are supposed to do. I was extremely conflicted. Why should I have to wear a hijab just because I’m told to? Shouldn’t I wear it because it makes me happy and because I want to be proud and showcase my