By Apeer Oudeh

“O Prophet!

Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women

that they should cast their outer garments

over their persons (when abroad):

That is most convenient,

that they should be known (as such) and not molested.

And ALLAH is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

HOLY QUR’AN 33:59

I REMEMBER IT WAS THE THIRD MONTH

I had been wearing the head scarf that many Muslim women wear. I hadn’t been out much in my neighborhood during those three months. However, on this sunny afternoon, I decided to take my nephew to the park. I had been to this same park on many other occasions, but only once before with my “new look.” For some odd reason, I felt very uneasy each step of the way there. I still wasn’t accustomed to the looks that I knew would follow me wherever I went. With each step I took I felt as though I was moving closer and closer to another world. A world where I wouldn’t be accepted and just shut out and ignored.

I was born and raised a Muslim but now the entire world knows that I am Muslim. Before, I just blended in with the crowd. At age 18, I’ve had to deal with a lot of changes. The decision of wearing the head scarf caused the biggest change I had ever experienced. My entire lifestyle was altered. Altered for the better though and definitely not for the worse.

As I entered the gate of the neighborhood park I noticed in the distance a large group of people scattered around the picnic tables. Many children were running around. It seemed to be a family social gathering taking place. As I got closer to the playground area, I saw to my surprise that there were a dozen or more women all covered with head scarves. The entire park was filled with Muslims! “Subhan’ALLAH (Glory be to ALLAH)”, is what I thought. I smiled inside and I probably smiled a little on the outside. I felt as though that was a sign of approval to me, however people’s approval isn’t as important as ALLAH’S approval¾ which I hope to obtain. As I passed each Muslim sister, I greeted her, “As-salaamu alaikum. (Peace be unto you).” Women whom I’ve never met before were approaching me and making conversation with me. It was more than just nice. It was a new awakening. It was also an encouragement from this world in which I was becoming an outcast.

After this day, I no longer walked anywhere or entered any room feeling left out. Wherever I go, I should feel confident that I belong there just as much as anyone else. My Muslim family will always welcome me and more importantly, they’ll know that I’m Muslim because of my dress. If, at least, I get a greeting, I’ll feel more at ease and socially accepted.

I also remember another incident about a few months later. This too, strengthened my faith. I believe it was around the time of midterms during my first semester in college. Therefore, I, along with the entire campus, was very stressed out. Before entering the first building that morning, I was greeted by a Muslim woman. We had a mini-conversation, though we did not know each others names, then we went our separate ways. This cheered me up because I thought to myself that this stranger to me, whom I still consider sister, offered me “peace.” She did this, like most Muslims are known to do and encouraged to do, just because we are brothers and sisters in ISLAM.

That same day, in the same spot, Subhan’ALLAH, another sister greeted me with the same greeting. It was as I was leaving to go to my car. I look back on this common autumn day and will remember that it started and ended in the same fashion with people offering me “peace.”

The Friday of that week, if I remember correctly, another unexpected greeting came my way. The following is a poem of mine that describes how I felt:

“As-Salaamu alaikum, Sister”

I went to the bank one afternoon, and the teller said to me,

“As-Salaamu alaikum,” very softly.

A moment passed by for I was shocked, you see.

“Wa alaikum as-salaam,” I said very enthusiastically.

Feeling like a stranger in the past is the way I would be.

This sister made me feel very comfortably.

This one act, this one gesture, this one charity

Brought a smile to my face because I felt unity.

It's the little things that happen to me,

Which allow my life to go on quite happily.

I am encouraged most when I get greetings from Muslims whom I do not know. I sense a connection with the people around me. I like it also when I give greetings to my fellow sisters in ISLAM. There are many occasions that we are left out of because of the way we look. These occurrences don’t stand out as much in my mind. The special treatment received when I am embraced with such greetings makes up for anything that would come my way.

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