i don't know how to shorten this or try and read some of it

There was a girl who went seriously into Hijab at the age of 13. Her amazing group of Hafiza friends were all doing it and hey it just FELT right. It was such an easy, beautiful transition. Thirteen year olds of her pre-2000 generation were less conflicted and freer to take time to breathe before congealing into "Stupid Girls" mentality. It didn't stop her from playing soccer every morning after Fajr Hifz class, and going out with her friends and looking good at family weddings. Heck it didn't stop her when she moved to a Model C predominantly Christian school and went on a week long excursion to Knysna. She loved its comforting feel and reassuring beauty.

Then she hit campus life and suddenly skimpy was your new best friend. Teenie weenie tees with capped sleeves and skinny jeans and capri pants, stuff "everyone" was wearing. Shopping for guys tees just wasn't an option, they'd become kinda ribbed and skinny fit as well. Slowly it became OK to wear your hijab and show off your arms and a bit of ankle. She loved those suede boots that you could wear over narrow jeans. She still loves those but after today she thinks she has to rethink what kind of love that is.

Then came the 1st of June 2008 and she attended an Islamic Fashion Show (definitely not an oxymoron). And she remembered the beauty and the comfort of being at home in your modesty. It started with sweet-voiced Nabs Qiraat recital, particularly Surah Noor verses 30-31- . "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. That is purer for them. Verily, Allaah is All-Aware of what they do. Say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty...O you who believe! Turn you all together towards Allah that you may attain success".

The show itself was spectacular. She would love to own Leeya's Boutique for a day but her highlight was when she turned up the volume when playing these lyrics of Native Deen as the models strutted their stuff:

To all my sisters we see ya'll out there

And don't fret because the people like to gawk and stare

It seems unfair

But some times it's with sincerity

Shocking to their system to see so much purity

Demonstrated in your adab (good manners) and your hijab (hair cover)

Eyes staring but their souls there wishing that they had

Your place in timebeing righteously inclined

Purity of heart and mind

Guidance from the One,

who swore by the timethat patience and adherence bring sustenance

Provisions from Allah SWT which is heaven sent

But TV, magazines, how fair they make it seem for you to leave the Deen

be his lifelong dreamAnd don't be confused, Shaitan (satan) pulls double duty

He's doing all he can to have you display your beauty

She understands what people mean when they refer to "purdah" of the heart. Allah SWT is the best judge of all of us. Yet she feels we cannot justify disobeying a compulsory act on the grounds that outward modesty means little. It is, like one friend said, simply an "expression" of a value yet so important in contributing to the upholding of that value. This is the rationale behind asking all females attending the Msa national camp in July 2008 to adorn Hijab. Whether you do it on a daily basis or not, only goodness can be reaped from trying it out at the camp. Also, she feels that for her, Hijab does not stop at covering her hair. She needs to focus on wearing clothes that she chooses based on values, not flimsy norms and imposed modes. She also feels that if you want to try it out, for every second you wear it you get thawab, even of you take it off afterwards.