A Goodbye Note from Denise Al-Shammari at AlHediya.com
Denise Al-Shammari has kindly agreed to let me post a goodbye letter from her to her customers. She has been running the Islamic clothing store at AlHediya.com for ten years. Her store was one of the the first Islamic clothing stores I added to Modest Clothing Directory. I will always remember her store as #12. Twelve is the unique number (primary key) my database system assigned to her store entry because hers was the twelfth store I entered into the database. I entered ten Christian stores first, then World of Islam, and then AlHediya.com.
Most of the stores I added in 1999 are out of business now, so it has been a great feat for her to have lasted as long as she did.
I will be particularly bummed about the closing because I order all the abaya, hijab, and prayer garments for my “new Muslim convert gift packs” from her. I don’t relish the thought of trying to find a new supplier. 
I loved getting her bulging plastic mailing bags in the mail filled with stuff to give away.
Here is her letter:
Assalamu alaikum Dara,
Thanks for the support and kind words.
We have found that over the past couple of years, with small Islamic clothing sites opening up all over the Internet, that our customer base has continually gotten smaller and smaller. I assume it is because customers, especially those in the U.S., would rather get their orders delivered fast, from U.S. vendors, regardless of the quality of the clothing. So, we would rather close the business now than watch it continue to decline. That makes us really sad.
We have really enjoyed serving our customers over the past 10 years. The profits allowed us to contribute to some very worthwhile causes and we met some wonderful people.
We were hoping that, by letting our customers know so far in advance about our closing, this would give them a chance to stock up on their favorite items. I think that we are still about the only site that offers such variety and flexibility in our abaya, jilbob and suit lines.
We will miss you all and thank each and every one of you for a terrific decade. Take care and may Allah bless us all!
Denise Al-Shammari
http://www.alhediya.com
January 27th, 2008 at 6:07 am
Asaalamu Aleikum sister Denise and Dara!
I am so sad to see Al Hediya go. It has been a source of everything I have needed for so long! I understand the underlying economics though and sympathize with the situation. inshahallah there will come a time when sister Denise will find another great niche for herself that will service so many international sisters the way AH has. JazakAllahu Khair for everything! I will keep you in my du’as!
Salaams,
Nadia
January 27th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Ditto! I am INCREDIBLY sad to see alhediya go!
I first started to wear hijab in 1999 and that was the FIRST company I bought from, I will TRUELY miss alhediya!!! Althought ive tried to buy hijabi gear from several US based companies the majority of them sell crude at over the top prices, im soooo sad to find out that alhediya is closing due to a lack of customer base! Whats wrong here people? Almost all the sisters I know moan and groan about the horrible quality of hijabi gear being sold here in the states, how the fabric is horrible, how the buttons pop off after 1 wearing, how the sewing is shotty…meanwhile i’ve never had any of these issues w/ items from alhediya and yet their customer base is declining.
I am fretting about where I’ll be able to find hijabi gear of that quality anywhere else…because frankly, shops like that are few and far between also alhediya was a pioneer in the world of hijabi clothing shops online…I only remember her existing and caravanxpress at that time.
With sadness in my heart, I can only say…best of luck!
January 28th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Walaykum Asalaam sister Denise and Dara!
I am so sorry to see alhediya go too! While ordering from US based sites may be easier for those in the US; I am in the UK and Kuwait is one of the few countries where packages arrive quickly from and without incurring additional customs charges. There have been many UK sites popping up but most only cater for up to a US 12 (yes incredibly!) and the quality, not to mention the customer service; is hit and miss. Also Alhediya does certain food items you can not get in the UK at all; especially the green za’atar; good job I recently placed an order mashaAllaah but so sad I will not be able to order ever again! Maybe Denise you could consider putting a few of the more popular, smaller items on somewhere like ebay; even the UK ebay because I know a lot of sisters here cannot get some items such as the niqabs; anywhere else
Sophie
January 29th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Walaikum Asalam Sister,
I’m very sorry to hear that you are going out of business; I know it must have been a very difficult decision. As someone also in the Islamic clothing business, I know how much time, effort and heart you must have put into your business all these years. It is always sad to lose one of our Islamic businesses.
May Allah bless you in your future endeavors.
Fee imanillah.
July 12th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Dear sisters,
Assalamu alaikum!
I saw this online, and just wanted to let you know that we are here for your needs. The Desert Boutique, is the largest online seller of Islamic items in the world, and we are more than happy to add items that you guys are interested in that you don’t find.
We have been around since 1999, and have grown into what we are today, alhamdulillah, so I hope that you will all visit us.
Yes, having things come from Kuwait is a slower process, but the quality and prices are ideal to be sure, even with the miserable exchange rates and mailing prices.
We look forward to seeing you guys online
Thanks so much and jazakumAllah khair!
Your friend and sister,
Mia