Every February 1 is World Hijab Day. Initiated by New York resident Nazma Khan in 2013, this day serves as a reminder of the profound significance of the Hijab and the strength it embodies for Muslim women worldwide. Now celebrated in 190 countries worldwide, it is to encourage women of all religions and backgrounds to wear and experience the Hijab for a day, educate and spread awareness on why Hijab is worn.
For Muslim women, wearing it represents a woman’s submission to her Creator and her connection with her faith.
Hijab is a religious obligation, which a woman has to observe. When a woman wears a Hijab, she is obeying and submitting to Allah. Allah says: in the Holy Qur’an: “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves (part) of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Qur’an 33 vs 59). In another frequently cited verse found in Surah Nur (The Light) 24 vs 31, it is stated that believing women should “draw their cloaks over their bodies” and “not display their beauty except what is apparent.”
From the above verses of the Qur’an, we can say that the Hijab is important in Islam and all Muslim women should wear it. The Hijab is practically harmless to people of other faiths as it only seeks to promote decency in society. However, going by bias, stigmatisation, and deprivation being faced by our daughters and women in public schools, workplaces and public institutions, it takes strength and strong faith to wear a Hijab in the society we belong to, especially in the southern part of Nigeria.
Many Muslim women have been stripped of access to jobs or economic opportunities based on their visible dedication to their faith. Our hijabi women are used to such words as “That thing on your head is not professional while our children in public schools are forced to remove their Hijab! The same applies to hijabi women attending job interviews for competitive roles. Most times, the interview panel focuses on querying the head covering, rather than focusing on competence. So, setting aside a day to educate and spread awareness on why the Hijab is worn is a wise and peaceful avenue for promoting tolerance and freedom.
In Lagos, Muslims joined the rest of the World to celebrate the 2024 World Hijab Day with the theme: “Veiled in Strength”, at an event held at the Lagos State Secretariat Muslim Community Central Mosque Hall, Alausa-Ikeja. The gathering reflected on the resilience and dignity of Muslim women who choose to wear Hijab as a symbol of their faith and identity. The lectures and calibre of Hijabi intellectuals and professionals at the event were quite revealing and instructive. It shows that gradually, life is becoming easier for the women in Hijab.
Every Muslim woman who wears a Hijab, or any form of clothing that covers her hair has at some point or the other had to deal with passive-aggressive comments about their headwear. They have been faced with bias and prejudice in schools, workplaces, and public institutions. Many Muslim women have been stripped of access to jobs or economic opportunities based on their visible dedication to their faith.
Against all odds, it’s been a thing of pride that our hijab sisters are excelling in academics, business, and professions. One finds it praiseworthy that the organisers paid attention to important details. It is inclusive and widely publicised. Hijab Rights Campaign, Al-Mumeenah, The Criterion, NASFAT, and Ansarudeen are well represented. Having Dr. Ige Aminat of Lagos State University (LASU) who recently won an award for best Ph.D. thesis at the University of Lagos as the main Speaker at the event is fantastic, motivating and inspiring. It was a morale booster to many and a confirmation that Hijab is not a barrier to reaching a higher height in one’s journey to success.
The message of the World Hijab Day is that: Hijab is not a liability in professional spaces. It is not a flag for passiveness and weakness. It is a dress code given to the women by Allah as stated in the Qur’an in Suratul al-Ahzab 33 vs 59.
The major issue, it seems, lies in many non-Muslims’ beliefs about what the Hijab represents and the decisions that lead women to wear it. For Muslim women, the Hijab serves to protect their bodies upon puberty from the lustful gaze of the outside world. It benefits Muslim women by forcing people, particularly men, to focus on the women’s intellect. Society usually appraises women based on physical traits, not her intellect.
Wearing Hijab does not have demerits except that which is created in the minds of intolerant antagonists. Women who want to work and practise their religion by wearing the Hijab shouldn’t be made to face difficulty and discrimination.
People who find themselves in the position to offer employment or other economic opportunities or benefits are therefore enjoined to be more tolerant in their vetting processes, as opposed to wrongfully dismissing candidates because of what they assume their Hijab represents. Denying or limiting opportunities to qualified hijabis based on how they are perceived because of their Hijab is therefore an Islamophobia act against the person and an infraction of their fundamental human rights.
Strangely, eight students of the International School, University of Ibadan had to file actions in court, seeking to confirm their rights to wear Hijab in school. Yes, it is odd that some of our Universities where one expects those in charge to be broad-minded are found wanting. What many of those standing against the wearing of Hijab don’t realise is that freedom isn’t free until all religions can be practised without fear of being discriminated against because of an article of clothing one chooses to wear.
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As this year’s World Hijab Day is celebrated, it is important to emphasise that Hijab makes Muslim women complete and is a crown of glory for them. It is not just about fashion but an obligation. The Hijab is progressive, not oppressive!
So, allow our girls and women to wear their Hijab peacefully in schools, various places of work, hospitals, and vital registration points, please!
. Musbau writes from Lagos State, South West, Nigeria.
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