I dress like a Muslim every day, and it's breaking my heart
As-salamu alaykum. I don't even know why I'm writing this, but I just need to let it out. My name is Anna, and I'm a Christian woman who covers fully like niqab or burqa-but I do it for my love of God, not because I'm Muslim. I’ve been covering more over the last year, and went full veil a month ago. Honestly, I wasn’t ready for how hard it would be. Every morning, I know I’ll be the only one dressed like this. I know people will stare, ask questions, or assume things. I'm scared and exhausted. I didn’t do this for attention; I just wanted to honor my Lord. But instead, I feel like I’ve lost my place among Christians. No one really gets it-they just ask why I don’t dress normally, and I have to explain myself constantly. It’s so lonely. Sometimes I wish someone would just say, 'I’m glad you're here.' I’ve felt like a stranger in my own community, and it makes me want to cry. Some Muslim sisters have been kind to me, but I wish my own faith circle encouraged me like that. Today’s been really rough. I’ve cried so much, wondering if I made a mistake. I love God deeply, so I don’t want to stop, but I don’t know how to keep going alone. Maybe I’m just hoping someone out there understands what it's like to be an outsider because of your convictions. If you read this, jazakallah khair. And please make du'a for me-I think I need it today.