Wear Hijab? Be Brave!

Wear Hijab? Be Brave!

By: Helvy Tiana Rosa

As the movie played in slow movements, that's how I see myself this past seventeen years.

2 April 1988, I was still studying in high school class II, class III is almost up.

Who am I? Teens are looking for identity. In class I always got a winner. I was active in theater, scouts, flag raisers and manage the bulletin board. Going to school three days wearing a skirt and three other day wearing gray slacks. I am often asked to represent the school in various competitions speeches, read poetry contest and debate contests. Brave, can not keep quiet, cool, as teenagers in general. Outside of school I had joined karate and a chorus, though not so successful.

How can my views on Islam? Just a good religion. Sure proud of (Hi, I am a Muslim woman). But strangely I never pray, except when sad. I could not read the Koran. Can you imagine in the age of 18 years I still can not distinguish the letters ba and the nun?

Long if I told you what happened at that time. The point I attended lectures and read the translation of the Quran. At first glance there's nothing special. But being touched as you know, that's the first time I learned to read the Qur'an and for the first time in my life reading the Quran translation!

At the age of 18 years!

Home of the study, the same day I was wearing the hijab immediately determined.

"You are crazy, Vy.. More revolutionary than me! Think it steady. Your prayers are still rare, read the Qur'an can not, familiar with Islam in the street, and now you want to wear hijab? Ha ha ha .. What the world says? "said Heidy, my friend the chairman of Student Organizations.

I do not care. Still dropping tears remembering that evening study.

"Capital our hair, Vy ... Well, if you'll wear the hijab, we face so strange. Chubby! Not to mention later can work hard, hard to be a boyfriend. You just mad! "He continued again. "Yes, I also want to wear hijab. But later when I'm old. Allah is Supreme Understanding. The important thing we give our hearts hijab! "

I stared long enough Heidy. "Allah is the definition? I also know. Well, are we understanding with the rules of God? Who is the employer and who is the servant? If I hurried off to do? "

Heidy grinned. Silent for a moment. "Yes, it's up to you all!"

On the way home I thought about my attitude so far on the jilbaber at school. O God, how how could I? They even often get out of the way that I've been through, just because I am worried greet them with the nickname "Miss rolls" or "rice cake lady."

Anyway, I immediately came home showered, dressed and giving a friend a long skirt in place of studying religion. I went to the house Nuraida, school friends who wear the hijab that I have ever called "lady rolls" as well. She gaped open the door of her house, and taught me to wear the hijab. Suddenly I felt so peaceful.

"Am I so ugly Da, wear this scarf?"

Ida looked at me with eyes of glass. "Vy do not matter, ugly in the human eye. The important thing is beautiful in the eyes of Allah ..., "she said as she hugged me.

Of course much has changed after I wear the hijab. I'm trying to decorate themselves with morals Karimah. Adjust my behavior with this noble clothes, though they say, if my road is still so "manly." While at school my friends uproar, people at home also do not believe it.

Slowly but surely I add my continued insight into Islam. No day without a review! I also started to fill in Islamic studies for children and junior high school friends. Disco friends, friends, basketball, theater friends and my friends I forget that others do not. I embrace them, I talked to more familiar with Islam. I did not expect. Indeed the guidance of Allah when each one of them eventually started wearing the hijab, including Heidy.

Initially there was no hitch means. But then comes the new regulations from the Ministry of Education:

Prohibited from wearing hijab in school!

Me and my friends-including the Chairman of the student organizations Heidy-rise against. But we have to deal with the power of the government's Ministry of Education named it! We threatened issued. Any unannounced inspections of local education, we hid in the school toilets. I've even entered the classroom through the window, because it was intercepted at the gate!

Finally we can wear hijab in school, but if the class should be opened. Huh, a regulation that was weird is not it? What's their loss if we wear a hijab in the classroom? Why they are uncomfortable? I thought. And m, Quote bandl children, Heidy and I still do not want to open a hijab in the classroom, although about 25 other friends had to do. Because if they do not think we should not take final school exams.

I still take the exam and Heidy end of the school, but all of the questions we answer in just half an hour (can you imagine?). Yes, because after half an hour that there is an inspection hijab to classes! So I was grateful, despite all questions I answer in half an hour, I was still able to graduate school and received at the Islamic University.

Alhamdulillah I am grateful to this day I still wear the hijab.

May exist between friends who think, why people like Helvy (which is coarse) can suddenly decide to wear hijab?

The most precise answer, I think it is: guidance. The gift at once the mystery of God. I got it!

And I am determined to hold it on until the end of the period!

Yesterday, after interviewing Ayu Utami, a television station interviewed me about the nature of women. The reporter also asked me why I wear the hijab.

Well, below are some of the reasons I wear the hijab:

First, because the command of Allah in the Qur'an, Surat al-Ahzab: 59 and Surat An Nuur: 31.

Second, because the hijab becomes the primary identity for Muslim women. Wherever we are when we wear the hijab, we are recognized as a Muslim woman (still referring to Surah Al Ahzab: 59).

Third, by wearing the hijab, Muslim women are safer because it is not disturbed. Men are more interested in flirting and sexual harassment on women who wear mini dress.

Usually women wear the hijab is often greeted with a greeting (Assalaamu'alaikum) or with the words: "Where are you going, ma'am Ustadzah?" (Even prayed, ameen).

Fourth, with women wearing Muslim fashion, we become more independent in the truest sense. Case in point: I feel so sorry when they see fellow women who wear short skirts, taking public transportation.

In the vehicle, he would be very nervous and trying to attract and hold mini skirt to cover her thighs. Sometimes confused with the cover section briefcase. Very uncomfortable. With women wearing Muslim fashion, we can sit casually and freely.

Fifth, by wearing the hijab, we were independent from those who view us from the physical measure. We no longer measured by the size of the calf, waist or other parts of our body. People will measure us only from his kindness and intelligence.

Sixth, to wear the hijab then the control is in the hands of women, not men. Women are free to control and determine where the man who may or may not see it.

Seventh, for a girl, to wear the hijab she's basically doing the selection process of candidates for future husband. Is not just a great guy and has an adequate knowledge of Islam who dared to propose a girl wearing a hijab?

The eighth, the hijab was never hinder Muslim women to advance in goodness. History records many great women in the Prophet Muhammad and after. They have a variety of professions, various gait in society and the achievements that never stops, until on the battlefield once did --- without ever take off their hijab .

Of course, the hijab is not the only indicator of one's piety. But the hijab to be one realization of the actions of our faith (the faith must be proved by the charity is not it?). And in the end it will show a side of charity our piety to God.

So, why be afraid and hesitant to cover? Be brave :-)