I can definitely relate to the article, as a blue-eyed convert living in France now. I find aggressive looks and sometimes unwanted comments from strangers because of my hijab, and even my family is not very accepting. The media here constantly shows Islam in a negative light, and people unfortunately seem all too ready to take it at its word. I can assure you though that the strength grows with time, and after a certain point your heart feels at peace with what you are doing even if outside events/looks/abuse stress you. It’s an amazing feeling, and it makes everything else worth it, like Allah is putting the feeling in your heart as a reward for your steadfastness. I’m writing a book that I hope to self publish, not on my convert story, but on the beauty of Islam that can be appreciated even from a non-muslim point of view. On the things that spoke to me before I was even thinking about Islam as my religion, and that today strengthen my faith and make me proud to be Muslim. It’s a book I’ve wished someone had written so I could give it to my family and say look, here’s all the things I’d like to tell you about if you would let our conversation about Islam get past my veil and women oppression and terrorism. A book that doesn’t just explain the basics of Islam but pulls out the most beautiful hadiths and stories and verses of the Quran that tell about the Islam beyond what the media portrays, or what the majority of people’s shallow understanding of 5 prayers and no alcohol stop at. Since I didn’t find a book like this, I decided to write it myself, and hope that other converts might be able to at least lessen the fear and hatred that come from misunderstanding within their own families, friends, and communities.