In Reply to: Who knows the truth posted by kylie76 on Monday, 29. August 2005 at 22:18 Bali Time:
Islam, like Christianity, has various branches. The core of the belief stays pretty much the same, but the trimmings change a lot.
In some places/variants, the wearing of the hijab -- the headress, also called a jilbab -- is enforced. Sometimes the full burkah, which covers the woman from head to foot, is enforced.
Throughout most of Indonesia, Muslims are pretty relaxed about the trimmings. Their style of Islam is also affected by the original animist beliefs that existed in the country long before Islam visited. (The same thing happened with Hinduism in Bali.)
In general, the decision to wear the hijab comes from the woman, who decides whether or not she is ready/worthy. There is strong encouragement for women to wear the hijab, but usually it is a personal decision.
In that context, it would make sense for someone in trouble to start wearing the hijab to honour Allah, or make amends, or focus on redemption. It wouldn't necessarily be at odds with her never having worn it before.
It would make more sense if that person were actually a Muslim, though.
But who knows? Maybe she converted. Plenty of people have found Jesus in prison. Why not Allah, or Mohammed? Maybe that's where deities hang out in their spare time, or where they go to make some easy conversions.