Having been a white revert for a few years now, I want to ask the community for a bit of understanding during such an important time in our calendar. Ramadan is here and it is a time to ask for forgiveness and try to become better Muslims and better people.

I have been through various different stages as a Muslim and as a single girl have found it very hard at times.

After being extremely at peace walking around in my hijab and jilbab, I unfortunately found out that this did not stop some so called 'pious' Muslims treating me with little or no respect and in fact made me feel like I was not covered at all.

Unfortunately because of this and other reasons I did find myself 'rebelling', taking off the hijaab and dressing in my normal 'English' clothes. I am lucky that I have enough common sense to realise that their actions are not of course anything to do with Islam, or of course the beliefs of the majority of Muslims.

I can only presume they treated me differently as they hold a preconceived idea about 'white women' and presumed that covered or not I was still probably 'up for it'. Nevertheless I have been extremely fortunate in the many Muslim friends I now have (of every colour and creed)

So to my friends in Blackburn I thank you deeply.

But what I would like to ask at this time is that people try not to judge others (of which I am sure we are all guilty).

As much as I have the urge to put my hijaab back on during ramzan, I am worried about doing so, but NOT because of what any non-Muslims will say and that is the sad thing. I worry because I have been in the company of some Muslims who talk badly about girls who do this.

Yes I am sure there are many girls at this time who stop wearing their make-up and cover their hair, even if it is for only this period. But instead of thinking this is wrong of them; surely this is better than them never wearing the hijab at all?

Just maybe this will be the time that we decide to keep it on for good? So please help to understand that we are at least trying and instead of making derogatory comments, help us by understanding. We may not look like 'proper' Muslims the rest of the time, but it is what's in our heart that counts and Allah knows best.

Miss. S. Moore

Audley Range