Here are some things people should know in general when they see a hijabi. This is a myth buster-esque article, or, more accurately, it's an article where I lay out some of the things people have asked me in total confusion and curiosity that I thought really should have been common sense or more widely known.

First of all, the covering Muslim women wear over their heads is called a hijab. There are many different styles of hijab that relate to culture, country, and fashion. There are different coverings under different names. Something you should also know is that hijab isn't necessarily just the head cover on its own. It's the rule of modesty in attire and behavior that Muslim women -- as well as men -- should follow. As a general rule, though, you can refer to a Muslim woman's headscarf as a hijab.

Now, let me spell this point out simply: I have hair under my hijab. I'm not entirely sure why people would assume that a hijab equals baldness. I'm sure there are hairless hijabis, but one does not mean the other. I mean, come on, I've even had that question asked of me when there were wisps of hair poking out of my hijab!

Another thing is that hijab does not limit fashion. Do you know how many flawless hijabis I've seen at various functions with their beautiful clothes and beautiful, colorful, intricately wrapped hijabs that just look stunning while also looking modest? You can be fashionable while still maintaining the modesty that hijab requires. How a hijabi dresses is how she chooses to. Maybe you see a woman all in black or neutral tones, but I can tell you that unless she doesn't feel like it, she's probably got lovely clothes underneath it all and is simply choosing not to show it to anyone.

I do not wear a hijab around women or my blood relatives. I don't go home and keep my hijab on; that's just excessive and unnecessary. In fact, the only people I need to wear hijab around are males who have gone through puberty who are not related to me.

I don't sleep or shower with my hijab; I mean, come on, that just doesn't make sense. If I marry, a husband would then see me without hijab.

Yes, I could just take the hijab off when I wanted to, but you see the point is I don't want to. At this point in my life, taking off my hijab in public would feel like stripping naked. I would feel bare and appraised and out of place, so don't ask me ever to just "take it off."

The hijab is, at its core, a choice. I was not forced to wear hijab, my friends were not forced to wear hijab, women are not supposed to be forced to wear hijab. One of the tenets of Islam is that there is no compulsion in religion. What does forcing religion on someone unwilling do except make them turn away from it? True faith in any religion comes from one's own choice.

Women who wear hijab are not oppressed, they are not slaves to men, they are not powerless and subservient. It's offensive for that to be an assumption people make in my direction. I am empowered by my hijab. It's knowing that I am out there representing my religion for everyone to see proudly -- which in the current political climate can be a form of rebellion and activism both. It's knowing that, with my hijab, people have to take me seriously for my words instead of my looks and my body. It's knowing that I have sisters to turn to who understand me for this one thing we share. It is unity, it is strength.

So please, next time you see a hijabi somewhere, don't assume things based on what others have told you. Ask questions, be curious, but above all, please be respectful and open-minded.