Transforming From Christianity to Islam: Eight Women’s Journey

Why would a Western woman who is free to dress and behave as she pleases convert to a religion immersed in a culture that requires her to cover her hair, dress modestly and reassess her fundamental beliefs? These are personal accounts of eight Western women who radically changed their lives by converting to Islam or marrying a Muslim man. Some women assigned deep meaning to the headscarf, while others found dressing hijab to be freeing. In every case, however, peer pressure, social pressure and male pressure bore profoundly on their decisions, perhaps overpowering their ability to practice hijab purely from their hearts. Again, the dichotomy between voluntary, genuine devotion and conforming behavior influenced on the women’s actions and thoughts.