MY HIJABISTA STORY
Assalam Alaikum,
Welcome to the Hijabista Girls Program. It fills my heart with joy to share my vision with you, aiming to educate girls about hijab in a positive and enjoyable manner.
Since 2017, I have passionately developed this program, and I am humbled to say that I have successfully introduced it to several groups of girls, yielding amazing and positive results, alhamdulillah.
My name is Samia Elkowessny, and I have walked the same path as many of your young girls. Growing up in Toronto, Canada, I faced challenges that resonate with the experiences of our girls today. Wearing hijab since the age of 11, I am intimately familiar with the struggles and pressures associated with it.
Lately, I’ve observed a troubling surge in negativity surrounding hijab, ranging from severe harassment to the paralyzing fear it evokes. Some individuals, overwhelmed by external pressures, have chosen to remove their hijabs entirely. These distressing trends have become frequent topics of discussion within our community, even spreading across social media platforms.
It’s crucial to recognize that our girls absorb these conversations, internalizing our worries and fears. Their young hearts and minds are affected, potentially leading to a negative perception of hijab, blurring its inherent beauty and necessity as commanded by Allah (SWT).
As a mother of two, one of whom was a tween girl, I was deeply moved to foster a positive connection with hijab from an early age. This heartfelt desire led to the creation of the Hijabista Girls Program Inc. My aim was to instill love and understanding for hijab so that when these young girls grow older, they would associate hijab with positivity.
The Hijabista Girls Program stands as a beacon of hope, countering this negativity and helping girls perceive hijab in its true essence – a symbol of beauty and modesty. This program serves as a nurturing beginning for them, guiding them on their journey to embrace their Islamic identity and wear hijab with love, confidence, and conviction!
I pray that Allah guides all our girls on the righteous path, filling their hearts with love and understanding for their deen!