DUBAI/Feb. 1, 2023, could become a day to remember as women of all ethnicities worldwide; are all invited to wear the hijab in solidarity with Muslim women experiencing discrimination.
The World Hijab Day (WHD) Organization, through its annual initiative, has called on women across the globe; regardless of their religious backgrounds, to wear the Islamic headscarf (hijab) and show unity with Muslim women who experience discrimination.
Muslim women are being forced to remove hijabs to “show solidarity” and make political statements; while some countries ratify laws that disallow veiled women from participating in society. The organization is fighting discrimination against Muslim women through awareness and education.
WHD says that the community should stand in solidarity in its fight against systemic hijabophobia.
Words of the World Hijab Day Campaigners:
On December 2nd, the 11th annual World Hijab Day (WHD) campaign started.
Here’s a recap: https://t.co/OP5VHLEXjO
The organizers of the global hijab-awareness event have invited women worldwide to mark the 2023 initiative in a new bid to dismantle hijabophobia.
Official Announcement of this day
World Hijab Day, celebrated each year on Feb. 1 was announced in 2013 by Bangladeshi American Nazma Khan. The annual event has grown into a global phenomenon.
Feb. 1, 2022 marked the 10th annual WHD when thousands of women worldwide, of all religions and backgrounds, participated by posting selfies on social media with the hashtag #DressedNotOppressed.
WHD has a long list of ambassadors who are an integral part of the organization in fighting discrimination against women in hijab.
With ambassadors from Argentina, the US, Canada, England, Australia, Ghana, Iraq, Ethiopia and Spain, among others, the organization searches for individuals who possess leadership qualities and are passionate, talented and dedicated to join their global team of ambassadors.
This organization claims: “All we want is our freedom to wear what we want and be safe doing so.”
“This is the second year I’ve participated in #WorldHijabDay. As a Non Muslim I’m wearing the hijab to stand in solidarity with my Muslim sisters who face discrimination every day and to take a stand against bigotry and intolerance.”
-Angela Davis #UnapologeticHijabi pic.twitter.com/Npd3HUzkGO
In a message to women who have never worn a hijab, she mentioned: “You can’t really understand somebody until you put yourself in their shoes and it might be an opportunity to try it and see how you feel and, quite often, it’s actually quite liberating.”
Source: Arab News