Why do Muslim Women wear the Hijab?

A'iyshah Rana: "The hijab journey isn't linear"

The first time A'iyshah Rana truly fell in love with the hijab was when she was just ten years old. She had been on Umrah (a Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah) where she was surrounded by Muslim women from all around the world who stayed up late into the night believing, praying and worshiping, adorned in the hijab. 

It was there that A'iyshah truly saw the beauty and uniqueness of Muslim women who covered themselves in devotion to God. She felt that the hijab was not just about modesty on the outside but that it also reflected the inner beauty of these women. 

A'iyshah said: "A lot of the women that were praying and dressing modestly were just so humble and kind."

"I saw them in it and fell in love with it. I also wanted to be seen as a Muslim woman, I thought it was such an honour and I wanted everyone to know," she laughed.

Since then, A'iyshah’s connection to the hijab has gone beyond just an outer garment. It has become a core part of her identity, something deeply personal that she cannot imagine living without.

Yet despite being overwhelmed by the beauty of the hijab and seeing it wholeheartedly as a part of her identity, A'iyshah's relationship with the hijab has still been difficult. 

"I do have struggles with it and people that say they don't, I'm not sure what world they live in," she said. 

A'iyshah explained: "Though we believe it's a command from God it doesn't always mean you'll feel overjoyed when wearing it.

" I don't think we should romanticise the hijab too much because it is a command. And especially when you begin wearing it, it is very difficult."

She confesses that at times the heat is overwhelming and sometimes she wants to rip it off. Or sometimes when partaking in her sports and activities, her desire to pursue comfort over modesty reaches a peak. 

A'iyshah said: "The hijab journey isn't something linear, it goes up and down and round in circles, sometimes you just don't want to be modest."

For A'iyshah what keeps her rooted and connected to her hijab, is the women in her life. Sitting in the companionship of Muslim women who are also actively aware of their own spiritual journey has kept her grounded. She explains that the spiritual dimensions of the hijab only began to make sense to her in the presence of female scholars.

She said: "When we're with male scholars, they can talk about the hijab but they don’t fully understand. Because how can they fully understand something that they don’t have to practise in the same way."

Every year, A’iyshah celebrates her "hijab-versary," marking how long she has worn the hijab.

She said: “I think it’s important to celebrate the fact that you’re not just wearing the hijab but you are advancing and going deeper in your journey with it.”

For A’iyshah she sees each day that she wear the hijab as a  new opportunity for her to get closer to God and to be open and receptive to life’s blessings.

Shaheena Uddin: Visibility in the media

Shaheena Uddin shares her experience as a Muslim woman wearing the hijab in the media industry- an industry where visibility is everything. It’s a space that demands an individual to be seen and heard, and while such visibility comes with its own challenges for Shaheena that's something she embraces.

Shaheena said: "People bring their assumptions, some see the hijab as a symbol of oppression or submission. They expect you to be quiet, reserved, or to behave a certain way. But what I enjoy is the chance to defy those stereotypes simply by being myself."

Wearing the hijab in such a public-facing role means Shaheena often feels like a representative of Islam. While at times she feels the weight of that responsibility, she sees it as an opportunity to shift perceptions.

Shaheena said: "If you do something good or meaningful, people who may have never interacted with a Muslim before will associate that with you. That can be powerful."

As a journalist, she believes her identity brings unique value to the stories she tells.

"Every journalist has to be in the public eye. But as a Muslim, I come with different lived experiences and that allows me to add new depth to certain stories. We really need more Muslims in the media," she said.

Shaheena is passionate about Muslim representation and the role it plays in reshaping narratives.

She recalled a recent assignment that stood out. Amid ongoing controversy in the UK surrounding the burqa, her team held a debate on whether the garment should be banned. In that moment, she was able to offer valuable insight, clarifying the differences between various types of Muslim veils and explaining the reasons why many women choose to wear them.

Shaheena explained: "The more British Muslims we see in the media, the more we can influence how stories about us are told. The media can often feel biased, even Islamophobic at times. It frames Muslims through a limited, sometimes pitying lens, but when more of us have a seat at the table, we can begin to change that."

Her continued commitment to the hijab is deeply rooted in the sense of empowerment it gives her. For her, it's ultimately about choice: a conscious, personal decision made to please God. She finds a sense of freedom in it as the hijab liberates her from society’s fixation on appearance and shifts the focus to who she truly is.

Shaheena said: "It forces people to judge you for who you are on the inside not just what’s on the outside. People come to you with these preconceptions and stereotypes but then they have to unveil who you really are as a person.

"They learn more about your personality and interests. It forces people to not just judge you by the way you look."

 For Shaheena the hijab isn’t just a garment she wears on her head, it is a statement of her identity and purpose. She chooses every day to move forward in an industry where there aren’t too many who look like her with a goal to help make a difference, bring people together and most importantly to her, to please God.