Misinterpretations regarding Islam

Islam—the root word meaning peace. Now, don’t get me wrong, my religion may be perfect but the people in it are not. So when one person makes a mistake, don’t blame it on the whole religion.

The religion of Islam is often accused of oppressing when in reality Muslims are the ones being oppressed. In 2017, Trump signed papers banning people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. yet not even a year after the travel ban was put in place, more Americans have been killed by white men then by so called Muslim terrorists, according to Vox. This is a clear representation of how the war against Islam, is nothing more than a war of political ideology. Why tell me that my religion is oppressing others when it’s still ok for the KKK to still fully operate in the South.

It is frustrating that when I leave my house, my parents take an obligation upon themselves to make sure I get to where I need to go safely. Yes, it is their duty as parents to do so but it’s ridiculous that I, as a near adult, need to call my parents when I get to the grocery store, to school or even to the parking lot. Fearing for my safety in a country that advocates for freedom does not make sense.

Do not tell me that this country treats all people with equality and fairness because if there was equality and fairness, I would not be here writing this story. Why is it that Muslims are the ones constantly fearing for their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

This fear comes mainly from the fact that I wear a hijab. I wear the hijab to preserve my modesty. With my hijab, I am a queen and my hijab brings peace. The hijab resembles my devotion to Allah, God. The hijab is part of my identity so whether you like it or would rather rip it off, I’ll still wear it. Who said you could choose my life? You telling me that my hijab is oppressing me shows me how little knowledge you have of my religion. It baffles me that it is ok for people to wear hats to cover their heads but when I wear my hijab to cover my modesty it’s as if I am abnormal. What gives people the right to judge me for what I wear when all I am doing is following the beliefs of my religion.

I am not here to convert you, but to clear up some misconceptions. My religion is Islam and everything goes back to the root word salaam—peace.