The Beautiful Reasons Why These Women Love Wearing A Hijab

#HijabToMe is showing the world how truly diverse Muslim women who wear the headscarf can be.
Atera Pastry Sous Chef Sumaiya Bangee said, "#HijabToMe is tucking it under my chef coat collar everyday and pursuing my passion."
Atera Pastry Sous Chef Sumaiya Bangee said, "#HijabToMe is tucking it under my chef coat collar everyday and pursuing my passion."
Sumaiya Bangee

The New York Times recently published a "guide" to Muslim headscarves. The article intended to illuminate an Islamic concept that promotes modesty, but the associated images showed styles specific to a few countries and all of the silhouettes were faceless. These types of portrayals can contribute to a misperception among some that Muslim women who don the headscarf may lack agency.

In today's political climate, the headscarf has become more than just a spiritual symbol of modesty. At one point, women working in government positions were not allowed to wear it in Turkey. In France, the niqab -- a version of the headscarf that covers the face -- is banned. In the field of counterterrorism, some view the headscarf as a manifestation of extremism. And as the number of Islamophobic attacks continues to rise in the United States so, too, does the fear among Muslim women, especially those who wear hijab, that they’ll be victims of violence.

In light of this, The Huffington Post asked women from all over the Internet to show just how beautifully diverse the hijab can be using the hashtag #HijabToMe. By showing the many different ways women choose to tie their hijab and the various meanings it takes for them, we hope to offer readers a glimpse into the diversity of Muslim women who don the headscarf. Muslim women were asked to post a picture of themselves along with a brief description of what wearing the hijab means to them.

Check out the compelling images and join the conversation in the comments section below using the hashtag #HijabToMe.

I am so tired of the monolithic representation of Muslim womyn; these exhausted tropes do nothing to enrich our communities. I often find myself apologizing for not behaving as I am expected to in the spaces I occupy and that is no longer ok. It's so exciting to see @huffingtonpost begin the #hijabtome campaign with the purpose of "illustrating the diversity and vibrancy of Muslim women who wear [the hijab]." ... #Hijabtome means that I have the choice and the freedom to express myself fully, whether I'm dancing it out to Beyonce or being a life long learner and advocate for the populations I seek to serve through medicine. I started wearing hijab as a a sophomore in college primarily because I'm a wear-my-heart-on-my-sleeve kind of person. I have always wanted and still want people to visibly see what I'm all about and for me, hijab was one of the ways to accomplish that. It's definitely not easy to wear it daily; regardless of the setting I'm in, there will always be numerous judgements I need to contend with. Hijab is one way to "twirl on them haters." (Beyonce reference for you all haha) Each womyn who wears the hijab has her own style. I don't have a particular style but it is important for me to wear my hijab in a way that makes me feel comfortable and able to express myself while getting work done. PC: @ahealersheart #hijab #turban #muslim #muslimwomen #huffpost #advocacy #medicine #healthcare #beyonce #formation #beyhive

A photo posted by Sara, MPH (@saramomo6) on

Attorney Yasmin Elhady: "#HijabToMe My choice to protect every woman's right to choose how to present themselves."
Attorney Yasmin Elhady: "#HijabToMe My choice to protect every woman's right to choose how to present themselves."
Yasmin Elhady

#HijabToMe • i have been observing hijab since I was 17 years old in 2002. a time before blogs and hashtags and tutorials, when the Internet was still a mostly pure place and a woman would have to buy scarves at the Arabic store (s/o to the one piece sock hijab from Islamic fashion center in Paterson, NJ!). I just turned 30 and in this blink of an eye, hijab has offered me an immeasurable amount of insight about myself and others. Hijab has taught me discipline and self-control in both curbing my vanity (nafs) and keeping me grounded in reality during the most formidable years of my life. I have learned to become my own individual, comfortable in my skin, rather than attach myself to the never ending cycle of fashion and beauty trends. It has asked me time and again to step up to the plate & show people I meet who I am on the inside and what I can offer. Hijab has also acted as a filter for people who can accept that I wear one and still treat me with the respect any human being deserves. Hijab has been by my side for years, and consistantly rates as one of the best choices I have ever made. I truly believe that it has helped me grow into a stronger person socially, emotionally, spiritually & intellectually than if I had not worn it when I did. Hijab has been my protest against those who try to push their values & agendas on to me and other Muslim women, and simultaneously an act of worship to my Creator. I rage against the machine every morning by wearing my hijab before leaving the house. No matter what a woman's relationship with hijab might be, there is no denying the beauty of taking the narrative about it back from men and the media. Peace to the peaceful ✌🏼️• #coveredhairdontcare #hijabswag #turbanstyle #hijab #hijabi #circassian #huffpostreligion @huffingtonpost

A photo posted by nour sagha 🌚 (@nurtorious) on

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Nusayba bint Ka'b Al-Ansariyah (Arabia, unknown-634 C.E.)

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