I was born with very long, thick, straight hair.
Everyone was surprised to see such a hairy baby.
It stayed like that for 3 years until my grandmother decided to shave it off.
She believed that a baby’s hair is impure and needs to be shaved when they’re born.

And that’s when the struggle started.
My hair grew out very dry and curly.
Mama didn’t know how to deal with it.
She tried oils and creams.
My hair was in braids all during my childhood.
I never let my hair down.
I never felt the wind in my hair.

My maternal aunts made fun of me and said I looked like my paternal aunts.
My paternal aunts pitied me.
It’s as if I had a huge flaw.

I went to Al-Azhar school where it was mandatory to wear the hijab starting grade 4.
I didn’t like wearing it.
I used to take it off during the last two lessons of the day, along with all the other girls.
But the counselor would tell me,
“It’s not like you have nice hair. Put it back on.”

I told mama about my decision to wear the hijab when I was in grade 7.
She welcomed the idea because it meant she wouldn’t have to brush it anymore.
To be honest, I only wore it for my peace of mind.

I’m in my fourth year of college now, and whenever I see someone getting bullied because of their hair, I yell at the bullies.
I tell the kids to stand up for themselves and learn to love themselves.
And that they’re beautiful no matter what.