#PFHhijabmovement | Rahaf Khatib is a stay-at-home mom; 6x marathoner, and a 2x sprint triathlete. She is also the first hijabi woman to be featured on a U.S. fitness magazine. Here’s what she had to say:

What does the hijab mean to you?
Wearing Hijab was a gradual process for me. Like running, I started slowly by first running 5k’s, 10k’s,half marathons, finally FULL marathons…I built myself up to marathon potential or “full time hijabi” status as I like to call it, gradually. My father approached the whole “wear your hijab process" slowly by first informing me to wear it to school, then to the masjid,after that weekend islamic school, then eventually I just kept it on! In hindsight, this was a genius approach as I was a very fashion forward (not so much now after 3 kids Lol) and such a girly girly. I became slowly acclimated to it!

What inspires you to wear the hijab?
Like hijab, running tome some time getting used to. You become more comfortable with running and, in turn, build more endurance. Through running/working out I’ve come to know myself better. Ive found that being a stay at home mom who volunteers at my kids schools and various community projects (helped co organize the first ever ISNA 5k at the Detroit Riverfront fall of 2015) it gave me my “me” time. I run with my heart and soul. I run with my head held high even when i’m being looked at. Ive found that its the best da’wah I could give forth to my beautiful religion. Being at marathons while covered, is a message I am physically carrying to everyone; To Dispel stereotypes about Muslim hijabijs through partaking in these runs. So don’t shy away from anything because of hijab, I say embrace it and just like a marathon, its about mind over body!

What advice do you have for those struggling with it?

That everything happens for a reason. Everything is written and all is going to work itself out. Try your best and forget the rest! “verily with hardship comes ease”… just a wonderful ayah that comes to mind when life has its bumps on the road! Another I keep in mind is “ treat others the way you want to be treated” Both of which I try to incorporate into my kids daily lectures to them…in different aspects of their life.

As I mentioned above, and as through running, its mind over matter. Training for a marathon is 50% mental and 50% physical. Such as hijab! You cant have one without the other. Prepare yourself mentally, then prepare for Hijab physically by gradually wearing it, practice putting it on, purchase hijabs to match your modest wardrobe and all will come together inshallah!

Want to participate and be featured in our Hijab movement? Send us your responses to the following questions at getPFH@gmail.com:

What does the hijab mean to you? 
What inspires you to wear the hijab?
What advice do you have for those who are struggling with it?