The story behind Hiya Tees

It all started few months ago when these two optimists, Izza and Hafidz shared their ideas to me about starting a clothing line. They notice that most of their secular female friends from JC and university are having a hard time looking for a hijabi-friendly sports wear which is of dri-fit material and is knee-length. Even if there is, those dri-fit tees are usually from mosques’ youths or full-time madrasahs AND THEY HAVE THEIR LOGOS ON IT. So, selling something that we can hardly get off the rack (and is of a demand within the minority) would be good. And I couldn’t agree more.

Hence it all started. A group of 3 souls, working towards selling dri-fit tees for the hijabis. I am mainly in charge of designing the tees and posters for marketing purposes. Izza is the administrator slash accountant and Hafidz is the IT guy.

What about the name Hiya Tees, you ask? Here’s the story: 

“Hmm, what should we name our small company eh?” 

“Let’s make it simple but relatable.” 

“Nak name in Malay or English or… Arabic? Hmm.” 

“Ahh what about Hiya? It means ‘she’ in Arabic!”

And there you go,  Hiya Tees 

Hiya Tees was launched last week on the 1^st of April just because we thought Friday would be a good day haha. It’s the 4^th day today and Alhamdulillah, I can say that we are doing great in terms of sales. Izza had just mailed out a total of 40 parcels in the morning! And oh, we currently have 4 designs in our collection named ‘Simplicity’. The designs are really simple, with a mix of basic colours as we wanna make it easy for the ladies to match it with their pretty shawls! Hehe. I myself am keeping each design for myself. Mom says that they’re versatile and can be worn to many occassions, especially when you’re travelling around and just wanna feel comfy but still look good.

Honestly, this was not the first time someone approaches me for a business collaboration. So, when they did, I actually had the thought that this is just gonna be another short-term “thingy”. But hey, lets be positive, I hope that we’ll be able to expand our clothing line and make this a “real” business in the future. Insya Allah. J

www.hiyatees.com

I cried because I have no shoes, until I saw a man with no feet.

I took over my friend’s class last Saturday. Reached the place, gather the students, get them seated in line and there goes the routine. Lesson was all about reading. Listened to the first student’s reading – cute but needs to be improved. Second student was quite a pro – passed. Third student was talkative and she almost stopped at every sentence to associate the syllabus with funny things – okay lah can cuz entertainment. But, the next one was different. She looked quiet. Once she has settled down infront of me, I asked for her name.

Silence. Expressionless.

Instead, she showed me a book with her name on it. I thought she was being impolite but immediately shoved my thoughts away and marked her name on the attendance list.

“Which page did you stop at?”

Silence, still.

She then flipped the book open and showed me the page. Okay stop, I knew something isn’t right. Kids her age would normally be all jovial and bubbly during lessons but she’s totally an exception.

At this very moment, a student finally explained things to me (after seeing the awkward gestures between us perhaps). Allah, little did I know that she’s unable to talk. I was speechless for a moment (but glad that I managed to control myself) and moved on with the lesson.

Thoughts after thoughts gushed into my mind while she was concentrating on her ‘reading’. I was so proud of her for the determination given despite her condition. As a kid, she will definitely feel left out seeing her friends goofing around, laughing out loud and sharing jokes. But she stays strong and keeps striving for the knowledge. Looking at her lip-syncing the words on the book really slapped me hard. She is all set and driven – so why can’t I give my 100% as well in my studies?

Looking at myself, I am capable – but why am I not persistent enough? Why do I whine and complain when I’m supposed to be thankful for the things that I’m blessed with? Why do I compare myself to the people who get more but overlook those who are lesser fortunate than me?

That student has opened my eyes and I’m determined to throw all the negativity away. Why so? Cuz life’s too short to be all pessimist and stuff.

Meeting her was indeed a blessing.

Midnight thoughts

Shameful.

Thousands of Syrian/Palestinian/African kids struggling with their lives, trying to shelter themselves from being harmed, lacking of food and education, sudden lost of their love ones, not being able to sleep soundly and comfortably, not having the luxury and freedom in doing what they want and HERE I AM, COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LITTLEST OF THINGS.

Here I am, complaining about school when they are dying to attend one. Complaining about the haze when their daily sight is 10 times worse. Complaining about the inefficient transportation (slow/breakdowns) when they might not even have a proper transportation to begin with. Complains when the parents scold while some of the kids there are longing for the parents’ hugs.

I am very blessed to be brought up in a highly-developed country. The problems I face here are nothing as compared to theirs. I need to always, always always remind myself to be grateful adnd never stop praying. Pray for the brothers and sisters who are suffering there too for they deserve to be well-treated and live peacefully like we do.