Hoda… and the first day she wore the niqab

“I’m not the type of person who makes sudden decisions.
But this decision… had been in my mind for months, growing quietly every day.
And yesterday… I made it.

Today, I went out wearing a niqab for the first time in my life.

I sat in front of the wardrobe for an hour,
confused about whether to wear a plain abaya or a light-colored one like Aswa’s,
until I chose one in a matte gray color, simple, soft… but different.

And as soon as I put on the niqab… my heart pounded.

Not from fear… from awe.

I felt like I was entering a new world,
all the details of which were incomprehensible… but my heart was reassured.

As I was descending the stairs, I found the neighbor’s daughter standing there staring at me as if I were an alien.

She said to me in a provocative tone:
— “So you’re going to wear more hijab?! Isn’t what you were going through enough!”

I laughed internally… but I let her go and walked away.

There’s no time to explain, and there isn’t Aber’s energy.

The first shock came when I boarded the metro.
A man was sitting in front of me, praying with unnatural concentration.
Then he said in a loud voice:
— “These girls are scary… Today it’s the niqab, tomorrow it’s bombs.”

People laughed.

Me neither.

I was looking down,
but inside there was a fire… not anger,
a fire of faith telling me: “This is the road, and this is its price… Continue.”

I entered the university…
The first step through the gate, I felt the whole world fall silent.
All eyes were on me.
A girl said:
— “I swear to God, she looks like she’s been living in a cave, and she got out today.”

But amidst the mockery,
I found a girl I didn’t know walking beside me,
whispering to me and saying:
— “I don’t wear the niqab… but you inspired me today.”

My heart flipped at that moment.
Me? Inspire someone?
Me A while ago, I was about to go back and change my clothes from all the stress.

I returned home smiling for the first time in a week.

Not because people have changed…
but because I have changed.

I’m Hoda…
And I’m wearing the niqab now.

Not because it was forced upon me,
nor to escape,
nor to prove that I’m “good.”

I wore it because that’s who I am.

And this is how I look when I choose God over the comfort of others.

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Have you ever thought about wearing the niqab?
Or were you even afraid of it?
Write to us your feelings… We read and understand.

📎 Keywords:
Niqab, Islamic dress, hijab in Egypt, first time wearing the niqab, supporting veiled girls, Islamic style, Oswa abayas, a committed girl, daily life of wearing the niqab