On February 1st, Muslim women across the globe celebrate World Hijab Day, a day of celebrating and uplifting women who choose to don the headscarf as prescribed by Islamic faith traditions. The headscarf is a token of submission, respect, and identity for Muslim women, who cover their hair in a variety of ways, paying homage to not only their religion but their cultural heritage as well. The hijab is often referred to as a way of life- not merely a garment, but a code of conduct that emerges from the Islamic traditions of upholding modesty and dignity in one’s lifestyle, behavior, dress, and even thought. The image of the hijab as merely a headscarf, rather than an ideal to aspire to, has been popularized by the political and social culture of our time, which disparages such symbolism of submission-to man or to God- and characterizes it as oppressive, stifling, and inappropriate for our day and age.
The headscarf, which is commonly referred to as a hijab, may come in many variations and styles that are a reflection of the culture. In North America and the western world, the hijab is typically a square or rectangle piece of cloth wrapped around the hair, or a pre-sewn slip-on that makes the wrapping and pinning process a bit easier. In other cultures, such as Egypt, the hijab tends to be a rectangular scarf called Ashrab. The color, material, shape and wrapping of hijab differs in every culture. However, the Islamic requirement remains that women should wear loose and modest clothing only showing their face and hands. Additionally, some
women choose to wear a voluntary face veil called niqab, but this is optional and practiced by a minority of Muslim women in the West. World Hijab day celebrates variations of the headscarf from all over the world, and aims to reclaim the heritage of a noble and centuries old tradition. Booths set up at universities and public squares invite women to try on headscarves, and explain their relationship to hijab and what it means to them.
The ostracization of the hijab and hijab donning women has invited misconceptions about the traditional head garb, including that it is a symbol of oppression, or stifles women from performing in society. Since the beginning of Islam, Muslim women following Islamic dress traditions have held various positions such as soldiers, nurses, teachers, doctors, business women, and even political strategists. The headscarf and the accompanying rules of hijab do not overcomplicate gender- interactions, but rather give clear guidelines of respect, which allow for dignified relationships between friends, community members, colleagues, and peers. As for the hijab being oppressive, for many women who choose to don the headscarf, it is a symbol of not only submission to God, but our identity as Muslims, and what can be more liberating than the ability to openly express ones identity in public, without fear of harm or violence?
There is and has always been bigotry in response to that which is different. However, this personal and communal bigotry has now extended into egregious discriminatory policies that have banned hijab in public spaces, or for those occupying certain jobs, such as educators. In fact, it may be argued that these policies, rather than the hijab itself, are what actually oppress Muslim women and prevent them from feeling safe in society. It is natural to fear what is different and unknown. A society which promotes worshiping oneself, and one’s own desires may find it difficult to understand the submission to a higher power, and the alignment with an identity that is so often othered. Therefore World Hijab Day was introduced as “a global movement to encourage religious tolerance, cultural understanding and international solidarity”. It reflects upon the idea that Muslim women, donning the headscarf are representative of Islam, and that practices which solidify their identity and faith should not be tarnished or maligned. Above all, World Hijab Day aims to give Muslim women the empowerment and dignity to wear their hijabs with pride and without fear.
Source: icna.org
