Excerpt:Beneath the Hijab

When a book resonates deeply, it’s often because its words reflect something true about the world—or about ourselves. In this excerpt, we get a glimpse into a compelling story that challenges, inspires, or provokes thought in a way only great writing can. Whether it’s a powerful memoir, an insightful non-fiction piece, or a gripping novel, this selection offers a taste of what makes this book so special. Read on, and let the words draw you into a journey worth exploring.

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I remember the first time a patient looked at me with a confused expression, not sure what to make of the hijab I was wearing. It was a subtle moment, a fleeting glance, but it stuck with me. I had just entered the room, my uniform crisp, stethoscope in place, and hijab neatly arranged as I had been taught to wear it. The patient was an elderly man, his white hair matching the pale skin that had seen many years, his frail hands resting on the edge of his hospital bed. He studied me, his eyes lingering on my hijab, before offering a polite nod. There was something about the way he looked at me that said it all: a mixture of curiosity, confusion, and perhaps even apprehension. It wasn’t uncommon in the healthcare system.

I had been wearing the hijab for several years at this point, long enough to know that my appearance could often be a point of focus in any interaction. But what was different this time was the weight of the moment. I was a nurse—a Muslim woman in a healthcare setting, visible in my faith and my identity. And in that glance, I saw a reflection of the larger dynamic that I had come to navigate every single day: the complexities of being a visibly Muslim woman working in a predominantly secular environment, and the challenges and opportunities that came with it.

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