According to rahyafte (the missionaries and converts website):Maria Martinez* is a Mexican who converted to Islam two years ago.
I learned about Islam because I was interested in learning about different religions. I began to read the Quran and chose the theme of the role of women in Islam for my undergraduate thesis.
My curiosity was so great that I decided to fast during Ramadan and to start praying. It was at that moment that I decided to make my shahada [profession of faith]. I wore the hijab only when I’d go to the mosque. I would remove it because I felt embarrassed of showing it to my family, believing they would not understand.
The biggest challenge was my mother; she refused to see her only daughter covering her hair. My husband, who is Saudi, never pushed me to wear it. On the contrary, he believes the hijab’s function is to protect women, so if wearing it would cause me problems, that was contrary to its purpose.
But, one day, I decided to wear it. I knew that I would face the rejection of society and my family – and that maybe I would even lose professional opportunities. But I didn’t care because, just as we westerners have the right to dress or undress as we please, wearing the hijab for me is the claim of the right we have as Muslims. At first, I was afraid that people would offend me, but overall, the response was positive.
People respect me, and the hijab gives me the opportunity to show them that I am a happy woman, to show that one can be Muslim and professional – a student, a mother, and comply with the codes and the way of life in Islam. It is a great responsibility – all eyes are on you, and you should not give a bad image of Islam.
As a western woman, to me the hijab is a war I’ve won, and what I had seen as a disadvantage has become my fortress. I am currently doing my social service in the Ministry of Economy, finishing my major in communication sciences at the university and starting a business.
