As-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatuallahi Sister Carolyn:
My Allah increase in eeman and understanding of His Nobel religion.. I have no understanding and idea of what it is to be like,being muslim and not being able to properly cover( which by the way is a part of worshipping Allah). I live in the UnitedStates..and the city I live in is fairly accepting of Muslim( I guess do to the overwhelming spread of Islam, the kaffur has no choice). The first day I took the Shahada I Put on a khimar, overgarment, niqab( face veil) and gloves. I felt that I was Muslim and wanted everyone to know that I wanted to worship Allah. Allah ta'alaa commands each of us to not resemble the non-beliver in our actions, speech, attire or activites.
Allah says in the Quran Surah33 ayat 59: "O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and THE WOMEN OF THE BELIEVERS to draw their cloaks( veile) all over their bodies( to screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they will be known (as FREE RESPECTABLE WOMEN) so as not to be annoyed. And Allahis Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
There was no way I wanted to be associated or treated as I did when I was in the Days of Ignorance. My dear sister in Islam, no one in my family was Muslim. My mother and father was raised in the church and we was made to attend as children. They did not understand or agree with my choice of religion, but they saw the change in me so drastically, that they did no longer see the khimar, overgarment and niqab. They seen a whole new woman who worshipped Allah(God) and lived as He wanted me to. InshaAllah, I make dua for you that you not be ashamed of what the non-believers think or what they say, but realize that it is more important to worship Allah!! Say your Shahada to yourself and ponder on the words that has come from your heart....
Your sister in Islam
Salafisister