“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” [33:59]

In a world where Islam is often misunderstood and misrepresented, it requires immense strength to proudly represent our faith every day. Despite the biases and missed opportunities that sometimes come with wearing the hijab, Allah (SWT)'s rewards make all of those challenges insignificant. The blessings awarded to women who choose to wear the hijab are profound, gifting them with every step they take. With the courage and bravery needed to wear the hijab and represent Islam, it’s essential to celebrate each milestone in a hijabi's journey. 

I recently had the honor of throwing a surprise hijab party for my cousins who had just started wearing their hijabs. A woman's entire hijab journey is a deeply moving experience—one that deserves constant celebration, as it brings the realization that the girls before me are no longer that, but strong, independent women.

To create a meaningful celebration, we chose to stay true to our roots, as they continue to ground us through every trial and guide us throughout our lives. The food was a key element of the celebration. We chose Afghan cuisine to honor our roots, representing our connection to Islam and the balance of embracing American culture while staying grounded in our deen and heritage, which we all hold dearly.

For dessert, I wanted to add a special hijabi touch. I created small hijabi figures on toothpicks to stick into each dessert to symbolize the significance of the occasion. One of my biggest fears when I first put on the hijab was the possibility of being overlooked for opportunities. But looking back, I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved in both work and education. I wanted my cousins to carry the same confidence. So, I added printed diplomas with their names on the cake and desserts, reminding them that they have a strong support system behind them and that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

Setting the tone for the party was equally important. We created a poster for the door (originally meant for an easel, but we made do without it) that conveyed the theme of the celebration. Streamers in the party girl's favorite color, pink, adorned the entrance, ceiling, and seating area, adding a festive touch.

As many can relate, gifts are my favorite part of any celebration. For my cousins, I focused on the essentials and added fun hijab colors for them to experiment with. VELA’s summer collection arrived just in time, offering the most flattering colors—truly the perfect gift, no matter the season.

One aspect I want to highlight is the impact of involving them in planning the party. By including them in the process and encouraging them to share their ideas, I was able to bring their vision to life while ensuring they didn't have to lift a finger. Their ideas shaped the event, from choosing cultural food to balancing it with their favorite custom cupcakes, all the way down to choosing their favorite color for the decorations. This made the experience more empowering, setting a positive and confident tone for their journey while allowing their personalities to shine. I wanted the misconception that wearing a hijab diminishes individuality to be completely out of the question and thus I promoted wild ideas throughout the entire party planning process. 

When I first started wearing my hijab, I thought I would have to dim my personality. But after wearing it for over 10 years, I can confidently say that the reality is quite the opposite! I wanted this hijab party to be an accurate reflection of the truth and beauty of being a hijabi, ensuring my cousins start their hijab journey with confidence. From the cultural food that connected us to our roots, to embracing their full personalities, reinforcing their confidence with each dessert, and encouraging them to experiment with VELA’s different hijab styles and colors, this hijab party truly captured the beauty of Islam.