This was me as a little girl, forced into hijab. And this is me after I broke free.
In Iran, I was told: wear the hijab or be kicked out of school. Resist, and you can be arrested, beaten, lashed, or imprisoned, or killed it in the hand of morality Police.
Then I came to the West and was told: be careful telling your story, it might cause âIslamophobia.â
I am a woman from the Middle East. I have lived under Islamist ideology. I have every right to fear it, criticize it, and speak about it.
Donât silence us in the name of tolerance. Let us talk.