Fatima and Her Hijab: The Journey of a Name

"Fatima is the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed. She is one of the perfect women mentioned in Qur'an along with Mary, Aisha, and Khadijah. Her name means captivating. It also means someone who weans." 

So, why did I start this article with Fatima? Her name maybe very familiar but her experience is something she would treasure for the rest of her life. According to history, the Islamic faith in Mindanao spread between 1450s to 1500s. It was part of the political aim of the Sulu sultanate. Now, approximately 23% of the rest of the island practice Islam. Hence, this is where Fatima started her journey in the Sultanate world of Mindanao. 

The Long Ride in Iligan City

I was wearing my usual comfortable shorts and shirt as any other travelers would in a long journey. The 12-hour bus ride from GenSan to Cagayan de Oro was something I didn't expect. But it didn't stop me to trapeze from one province to another enjoying each change of scenery. Finally, the trip ended in Iligan City around 10 in the evening. 

"A short trip in Iligan City Public Market in the morning"

The town was silent. I began to open up with my companion, a resident in Iligan, how weird I felt that evening. As though it was normal for my companion to utter the word "curfew", I perceived it otherwise. Back then in Cebu, 10 o'clock means a traffic jam experience at Mactan-Mandaue Bridge. My friend, Greyna, told me that after the Marawi Siege, people could only stay outside up to 10 in the evening.

"Ma. Cristina Falls from afar..."

"Nimbalot Falls for a free visit..."

"Greyna and I at Tinago Falls"

A beautiful and sunny morning greeted Greyna and me. Our escapade that day included Tinago Falls, Nimbalot Falls and Maria Cristina Falls. Indeed, Iligan City is the "City of Waterfalls".

The Souvenir that Changed My Life Forever

At the souvenir shop, I asked a hijab seller if I could try on their head covering. She approved and even did my hijab. From that time on, I felt that I was so lucky to have worn something new for the first time. In a moment, I thought of holding my Maranao-inspired hijab as one of my precious collections.

"She taught me how to wear the hijab in Iligan Public Market"

Although, I wore that head covering for a short time, I learned something new from the hijab vendor. She taught me about modesty and respect for the human body.

While in Davao City

I was set to go home in Cebu last October so my usual trip would be from GenSan to Davao City then Cebu City. Little did I know that I would encounter an exactly similar experience as I had in Iligan City. I was together with a fellow nurse that we stopped over a souvenir shop near Roxas Night Market. I happened to talk to another Muslim lady and finally convinced her to do my hijab. I looked different and felt different.

"While in Davao with Joy..."

My entire body did not only respond to the ones I was wearing on my head but I began to act like how a Muslim woman should. Modest. Refine. Decent.

I wore my veil from Davao City to Cebu City. In Davao, I did not feel awkward at all. Nobody was looking at me in a judgmental manner. I belong to the crowd. But it was different in my city - Cebu. Everybody was looking at me while riding a public transportation.

Was it my veil? Was it the way I look? Did I make everybody nervous? These questions were repeating in my head until I was lining up for a trike ride for home. A young man approached me and spoke in a different language - a Muslim language.

He was very polite. He ushered me to a vacant trike and even carried my bag. Finally, he spoke in Bisaya.

"Maam, asa ka nga Muslim?" he asked.

I answered him without hesitation.

"Gikan pako sa Davao, Sir," my flat statement.

It was that moment that I was thankful to have met him otherwise, I would be waiting in a long line.

He did not ask me other questions, so I became comfortable all throughout my ride.

Fatima's Conception

The next day in Cebu, my mom, my friends, and I decided to go somewhere. I told my mom that I would be wearing my hijab. She asked me in a serious tone if I became a Muslim convert. But I told her "no".

"I never felt judged here"

Our long ride had a long twist when a Muslim driver asked me about Islam. He could sense I was new to the religion but I was glad to answer his questions (History subject was handy). He asked me about the Pillars of the Islam religion, about Mohammed, and Qur'an. I was happy that I was able to talk to him even how limited my knowledge was.

And so before we went down from the trike, the Muslim driver asked me, "Maam, unsa imong Muslim name?"

I saw my mom's panicked look but with confidence, I answered, "Fatima".

Allah must have helped me conceived my name and I knew He used the kind hijab seller in Iligan and Davao. Both of the vendors called me, "Fatima". This is how my name is written in Arabic, أنجل 

P.S.: This article is written because I felt deeply sad about the Jolo Bombing this week. A lot of people will think that Muslims are bad and they bring terror in the country. But I really beg to disagree. I met a lot of Muslim friends, and even share ideas and days with them. Islam values equality and fairness. It is the bad people that made Muslims appear bad. The conflict of religion will never end because people will never learn to embrace fairness, equality, and genuine love.

"This might look like an ordinary bridge but history says that it was one of the infrastructures that was destroyed during the Marawi Siege."

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