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World Hijab Day is celebrated annually on 1st February since 2013
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It was first initiated by Nazma Khan
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Hijab is more than a headscarf for thousands of women around the world
What is World Hijab Day & Why Is It Observed?
World Hijab Day, celebrated on February 1st, is an annual event that aims to promote religious tolerance and understanding and to raise awareness about the hijab and its significance for Muslim women.
The day was started in 2013 by a Bangladeshi-American woman named Nazma Khan, who wanted to create a space for non-Muslim women to experience the hijab and gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
I have been wearing a hijab all day and would definitely consider wearing the hijab again.I am fascinated by it. I love the idea. I love how open Muslim women are. I love how confident wearing the hijab makes me feel. -Sociology and gender studies major Kaylie McQuay
The hijab is a headscarf that is worn by many Muslim women as a symbol of their faith and modesty. Despite being a widely recognized symbol, there are still many misconceptions and misunderstandings about the hijab and the women who wear it.
World Hijab Day serves as a gateway for people to understand the hijab. We want people to understand that Muslim women are empowered and free – Ashley Pearson, Arkansas ambassador for World Hijab Day and assistant director of admissions at UA Little Rock
The goal of the day is to create a platform for dialogue and mutual understanding and to break down the stereotypes and misconceptions that often surround the hijab.
Women from all ethnic backgrounds and faiths are cordially invited to wear a headscarf for a day on #WorldHijabDay —February 1st, 2023—in solidarity with Muslim women and girls who face discrimination. Join the conversation: #UnapologeticHijabi
— World HijabDay (@WorldHijabDay) January 31, 2023
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World Hijab Day: Lesser Known Facts
To help shed some light on the subject, here are some lesser-known facts about hijabs:
- World Hijab Day is celebrated in 150+ countries
- Hijab is not mandatory in Islam: While the hijab is highly recommended for Muslim women in many Islamic countries, it is not mandatory in all interpretations of the religion. The hijab is seen as a personal choice and a matter of individual interpretation and preference.
- Hijab predates Islam: The hijab is not unique to Islam and has been used for centuries in various cultures and religious traditions as a symbol of modesty and piety. The hijab has been worn by women in ancient Persia, Greece, and Rome.
- Hijab comes in various styles and colours: The hijab is not a uniform garment, and women who wear it can choose from a wide range of styles, colours, and materials. From the simple headscarf to the more elaborate hijab that covers the entire body, there is a hijab style to suit every taste and preference.
- Hijab is not oppressive: One of the most common misconceptions about the hijab is that it is a symbol of oppression and repression. However, for many Muslim women, the hijab is a symbol of empowerment and independence. It allows them to express their identity and religious beliefs, and to stand out in a world that often values conformity.
- Hijab is not just for women: While the hijab is most commonly associated with women, it is also worn by some Muslim men as a sign of their faith. In many Islamic countries, men wear a type of hijab called a kufi or taqiyah, which is a small skullcap that covers the head.
- Hijab has a rich cultural history: The hijab has a rich cultural history and is often associated with different regions and traditions. From the colourful headscarves of Morocco to the ornate hijabs of Turkey, each region has its own unique style and interpretation of the hijab.
- Hijab is not just for Muslims: While the hijab is primarily associated with Islam, it is also worn by women of other religions, including some Christian and Jewish women. These women may wear the hijab as a sign of their faith, or as a way to express their cultural identity.
- Hijab is not just a headscarf: While the hijab is most commonly associated with the headscarf, it can also refer to the clothing and dress code worn by Muslim women. The hijab encompasses not just the headscarf, but also includes long, loose-fitting garments that cover the body, as well as modest and conservative dress codes.
- Because the overarching meaning of hijab is to live one’s life modestly with love for God, the hijab also applies to men. The men’s physical hijab however focuses more on covering the lower body and not the hair or upper body.
- According to a 2019 survey by the Pew Research Center, about one-third of Muslim women in the world wear the hijab. The prevalence of hijab-wearing varies by region and country, with some countries having much higher rates of hijab-wearing than others. For example, in some countries in the Middle East and North Africa, the majority of Muslim women wear the hijab, while in others, the hijab is worn by a smaller percentage of women.
In conclusion, World Hijab Day is an important event that helps to raise awareness and promote understanding of the hijab and the women who wear it. By dispelling some of the common misconceptions and misunderstandings about the hijab, we can help to create a more tolerant and accepting world for all people, regardless of their religion or cultural background.
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It’s 2023 & Hijabs are Still a Controversial Debate
The hijab has remained controversial in recent years for a number of reasons, including political, cultural, and religious debates. In many countries, the hijab has become a symbol of the larger cultural and political conflict between traditional values and modernity, between religious conservatism and secularism, and between individual freedom and community control.
We cover our heads, but not our minds -Aya Zaki
One of the main reasons for the controversy surrounding the hijab is its perceived association with oppression and the subjugation of women. Critics of the hijab argue that it is a symbol of patriarchal control and a manifestation of women’s inequality in society. They view the hijab as an imposed form of dress that restricts women’s mobility and opportunities and limits their ability to participate fully in the public sphere.
However, women who do wear hijabs have fought against this narrative and have argued that their choice to cover their head is a right and it has nothing to do with control and inequality but allows them to be who they are and they’re unapologetic about it.
What are your thoughts on this? Share them with us in the comments below.
Happy World Hijab Day! Stay tuned to WOW360.
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