Mouri Khan
Hijab translates to barriers. Wearing hijab does in a sense create a barrier between other people in certain
situations, but it also breaks barriers. Take into consideration the act of gossiping. A big part of Islam is
that it encourages you to refrain from speaking ill of someone when not in their presence. To speak poorly
of someone is to degrade your own brothers and sisters. Wearing hijab makes you more aware of Islam
and motivates you to grow wiser and more compassionate. It distances you away from people who don’t
add value to your life. Through this, a barrier is created between select people. It forces you to chose the
people you want to surround yourself with that will help you be a better person and protect your Islamic
growth. It’s not to say you cannot associate with poeple who follow a different belief other than Islam.
There’s a respect for each other and different beliefs that forms and having that characteristic is also valued
as it provides a different support framework and perspective lens. Barriers are broken by the development
of trust and friendships that help you grow and grow with you.