Women in hijab face another odd, when they seek employments in the same market. It is almost degrading, as in some cases sisters would have made efforts to conform to the “corporate” dress code as is expected from these employers. Then they get the snotty “this is not a professional dress code”.
Sister’s talk about their experiences, many have made grave compromises in accepting job offer from such employers.

I think the Nigerian Muslim communities especially in the south have a challenge on their hands and it is not filling a lawsuit for discrimination (there are all sorts of discriminations not attended to), I believe it is in creating halal working environment for Muslims.

I don’t want a job in the private sector, these jobs are a big trial; you find Sisters stuck in small spaces/offices with men, Muslims are selling insurances and offering loans to customers, worst still you are not allowed time to establish your salawat, then the job becomes haram for you.
Let us a Muslims employs ourselves and create halal working environments for the Sisters and brothers. There are very few Halal establishments in Nigeria, this should be our focus.
Sister should not have to settle for less, tying your scarf back is not hijab, wearing a knee length skirt with a headscarf is not hijab either. What we loss from shrinking the hijab for employment outweighs what we gain (if there is indeed any gain).

Allah is the Sustainer, the preventer of Harm, and the owner of All.
He has all the power to meet our needs.

As I step into the mosque and settle down to make my nafl prayers I notice the girl with the pretty face is stepping into the mosque as well. “What does she think she is doing?” I thought. “She must be lost.” “This is a mosque where people come to pray”, “how does she think she can manage that dressed like that”- Then it came to me maybe she is a revert coming to the mosque for the first time. It crossed my mind to walk up to her and tell her these things, let her now.

These thoughts are in my head when this other sister tell me that congregational prayer had already been completed, then a voice from behind me suggests that we should pray together in congregation, that’s nice I thought, as I turn around and the girl with the pretty face is now completely dressed in a yet again lovely abaya and veil she is totally covered up, in a semi state of shock I agree.

We stand in prayers and as I start to gather my focus and stand before my creator I hear the belting out of “Alhamdulillah robilli alameen” with sound tajweed, it continues with the other chapters she recites and through the prayers.

Lucky for me the natural course of events was kind enough to expose my story before it went any further.

Where do I find my Sisters?
The sisters are all around us, wanting to be identified, needing a hug and a smile. The next time you see that sister, on the street, at the supermarket, or on the bus offer her salaam, introduce yourself, tell her about the mosque where you offer you salat. Plant the seed of sisterhood and friendship, and let Allah, The Sustainer, sustain it and when it blossoms and fruits you shall benefit from it.
The Sister is not her hijab, she is not her clothes, she is one like you, and like you she strives and struggles. Maybe she is yet to prevail over her desires, so tell her about your experiences make du’a with her, join hands with her, together we are stronger.

What do I say to my Sister?
Say salaam alaikum, and wait to receive an even more beautiful response. Tell the sister your name and remember her name for the next time you will say salaam to her.
Don’t tag a sister with names like Hijabite/alhaja, she has a beautiful name you can use. She is just as nervous as you are; together we can explore and expand unchartered territories for the muslim women insha allahu.

From the Quran:

“The believers, men and women. are Auliya (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on people) Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbids (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they offer their prayers perfectly ; and give the Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His mercy upon them. Surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (At-Tauba 9:71)

From the Sunnah:

“The Muslims in their mutual love, kindness and compassion are like the human body where when one of its parts is in agony the entire body feels the pain, both in sleeplessness and fever.”
(Bukhari and Muslim)