World Hijab Day
Celebrating Muslim women who wear the hijab!
February 13, 2023
Ms. Baysden was one of the teachers who tried it on.
World Hijab Day is a holiday recognizing the millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab. This day was founded by activist Nazma Khan. According to the World Hijab Day website, Nazma established the day in order to “foster personal freedom of religious expression and cultural understanding, by inviting women from all walks of life to experience the hijab for one day.” The first World Hijab Day took place on February 1, 2013 and has been celebrated annually on this date.
World Hijab Day is celebrated in order to introduce the meaning of the hijab to the many people that may not understand why Muslim women choose to wear their headscarf. This day hopes to educate people of other beliefs of its meaning, hopefully as a way to decrease prejudice against those who chose to wear it as a sign of religious devotion.
This day is officially recognized in over 150 countries by millions of people. Numerous volunteers and ambassadors all over the world hold events that try to spread awareness of the hijab. The Sisters of the Islamic Circle of North America, when interviewed by CTV News stated, “the more awareness, the safer Muslim women feel wearing their hijab.”
The MSA (Muslim Student Association) at Lotus hoped to achieve a similar goal at our school where a large percentage of the student body wear the hijab.
In order to do so, they organized a small event on Wednesday, February 1st during fifth period in Ms. Khadija’s room. They provided the opportunity to experience wearing the hijab to anyone who wanted to participate.
Students at Lotus expressed their feelings towards the holiday.
Sophomore Hafeezat Ghaffar explains, “The fact that there is a large population of Muslim women
who wear a hijab at Lotus has made it so comfortable and normal. At this school, there is a unique opportunity to interact with other hijabis and experience Islam. I think this day of celebration gives us insight into how other Muslim women may not have the same comfort in other places around the world.”
Junior Milko Sado comments, “It’s a day where I can share the beauty of the hijab to non-hijabis.”
If you hope to learn more about World Hijab Day, feel free to watch the video where Nazma Khan provides further insight.
More on World Hijab Day:
- https://worldhijabday.com/our-story/
- https://regina.ctvnews.ca/world-hijab-day-aims-to-educate-others-and-end-prejudice-surrounding-muslim-people-1.6254925