An object in my life that speaks for who I am and where I come from is not exactly an object. It is the hijab. The religious symbol of Islam is something that is a direct representation of where I come from. My life at home with my family is dominated by my religion more than the actual culture of India, which is where I am from. India is known for Hinduism as its main religion while Pakistan is where Islam dominates. This is why the hijab and Islam are the major presences in my home rather than the culture of India. I, myself, do not wear the hijab. This is my personal choice and I am not ashamed of my choice. But despite this fact, the hijab is still representative of where I come from. My mother wears the hijab as well as many of my aunts and cousins. The covering of the hair symbolizes modesty and respect towards women and this is a major ideal in my home. Though I do not wear the hijab myself, I still believe that I have the right to identify with it because of how important of a symbol it is to Islam, my religion. 

– Zainab

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child