Hijab

Actually wearing hijab is not difficult at all. It is whether we want or not.

Except for those of us who find dressing and matching clothes a challenge... lol

Saudi Cleric: Women can forego veil in anti-niqab countries

Shaikh Aed Al Qarni's ruling was in response to a question from a Saudi woman in France about how to respond to a movement there to ban full-face veils. Governments in Spain and Belgium are also considering bans.

Riyadh: A leading Saudi cleric hit out at France for moving to ban face-veils, but approved Muslim women foregoing veils when visiting a country which outlaws them, a Saudi paper reported on Saturday.

The cleric's ruling was in response to a question from a Saudi woman in France about how to respond to a movement there to ban full-face veils. Governments in Spain and Belgium are also considering bans.

"It is illogical and unreasonable that the French government undertakes such a thing, which is condemned by neutral people, not just Muslims, because the secular state assures freedom of religion," Shaikh Aed Al Qarni told Al Hayat.

"The state has to respect religious rituals and beliefs, including those of Muslims," he said in an interview.
However, he added, if Muslim women are in a country that has banned the niqab, or full-face veil, or if they face harassment in such a place, "it is better that the Muslim woman uncovers her face."

Agreement
Numerous scholars of various Islamic schools of thought agree on this point, Al Qarni said.
"We must not confront people in their own country or other countries, or bring hardship on ourselves."
Some European nations have struggled to balance their national identities with growing Muslim populations that have cultural practices that clash with their own.
His comments followed France's parliament voting on July 13 to ban the niqab.

The French senate will vote on the measure in September, after which it could still be challenged on constitutional grounds.

Several other European countries are also debating possible bans on the face veil.

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-cleric-women-can-forego-veil-in-anti-niqab-countries-1.658787

Hayfa,

Hehe, well as everyone is so keen on scholars thought I should follow the trend. (only temporarily though)

Salam Hijabbi1822

You had asked if "there are any sisters who are/have been facing real hardships because of hijab, and considering removing it"

Yes, I have faced hardships while wearing hijab and during brief moments had even considered removing it.  Bear in mind, sister I came to Islam August 2001, 3 weeks before 9/11.

I live in California in an intolerant city. I have noted  that agricultural areas seem to be more racist. Perhaps due to illegal immigration, less jobs, etc. there is less tolerance for people who look or dress differently.  

If I were to not wear jalaba and hijab I could "pass" for white. I wouldn't be glared at or spat upon, or called "sand n__" (insert racial epithet)

What I find frustrating is that my husband, who IS "foreign" (he's from N. Africa) can "pass" for something WASPy. By looks he could be European-French or German and no one harasses him. But me, with hijab and jalaba I get yelled at "Go back to your country!!" 

During those frustrating times, I think to myself, I could give up wearing hijab and life would be soo much easier. But then, I look in the mirror, literally, and I see the hijab tan line (white ears and temples and tan face) I look at the contrast between my pale arms and my tanned hands. Islam is a life choice. It leaves a physical mark on your body like the  sajdah spot on your forehead or tan lines on your face and arms

When I'm feeling especially low I then force myself to remember the day before I took shahadah.  I had read that believing women covered their hair and chest. I was scrambling around trying to find something to cover with. I had eventually settled on a kitchen dish towel pinned at the neck. I was adamant, if believing women were supposed to cover, I HAD to cover, even if only with a towel. I try to revisit that feeling of responsibility.

Eventually, when I married my husband I gifted that same towel to my mother in law and I told her (through translation via my husband) I promise I will do the very best I can with what I have.

Allah makes it easy for us when we are newbies. We are so open to learning. Then comes the more difficult task. Applying what we learn and sticking with it.

I know it's difficult but with Allah's help we can do it. Let's stick with it together.