In the house of Allah … and I still have to justify myself.

The mosque has always been a place of safety for me… a place where I feel no one will judge me or stare.
I entered shyly, wearing a beautiful black abaya and niqab from Oswa brand, carrying my Quran and my headband.

In the women’s corner, I sat next to an elderly woman…
In a low voice, she said to me:
— “My daughter, don’t you think you’re a bit strict? What’s the point of wearing the niqab?”

I was startled…
I whispered back:
— “This is my conviction… and it makes me feel comfortable.”

She smiled hesitantly and said:
— “Everyone is free, but I hope you’ll open up a little. God makes religion easy.”

Suddenly, I noticed some little girls staring at me and asking their mother:
— “Why are you dressed like this? Do we have to dress like her?”

I heard one of the worshippers say:
— “This is a new trend… Girls are returning to the old ways.” Why?

I was silent…
A question came to my mind:
“Even here… do I have to justify my choice? Even in the house of God, there is debate about covering up?”

The prayer ended, and I felt a strange sense of loneliness… but also of pride:
“Even if everyone doesn’t understand, I understand why I’m here… and with whom.”

As I was leaving the mosque, a little girl ran up to me:
“I really like your outfit… I want to be like you when I grow up.”

I finally laughed… Maybe the presence of one believer is enough to change the whole day.

If you’ve had a similar experience in a mosque or other place of worship…
Did you confront it or did you prefer to remain silent?
Share your feelings or a kind word that might be supportive to a girl still learning to go against the grain.
Your words can change someone’s life and make them stronger on their path.