I grew up in a conservative family. On the summer vacation of my 15th year, my father said, “All your friends are veiled, when will you veil?” Just one sentence, he said nothing else. Consequently, I veiled the next day. Nobody would force me if I didn’t veil. I knew my dad would say that one day, I just got upset because he was acting a little bit early.

Even though I don’t want it, I am veiled. A girl of that age needs to gain her father’s discretion. My clothes were also conservative. I couldn’t wear short sleeves. I said, at least I’ll be on one side.

I was veiled throughout high school, but I never felt beautiful and free. I wasn’t natural at first. For example, I did not have the freedom to wear a t-shirt over trousers and go to the market. Although I veiled it in a modern way outside, I was still traditionally veiled at home. It was as if it was putting me in a mold. I should have been shaping my ideas according to this mold.

However, everything that was different attracted my attention. When I started college, I felt very old-fashioned. As if that I was not the person outside. My dress did not reflect my character. I told my father that I would take off the headscarf on a festive morning. He didn’t say anything. I have not seen any pressure from my family. But I know that an introverted girl was ideal for them. But at the age of 19, I didn’t care much about their discretion.

Unfortunately, even parents’ likes can be misleading for a young girl. Verbal repression is not always a must. It is a great injustice to direct children at vulnerable ages. Even if a person wants to be veiled, they should veil after age 18.

(Image: Alexandra Dvornikova)