Hello Readers! After years and years and yeeeaaarrs of January, we finally got February. This week was my first official week of school and I (along with many other college students) had a feel of what the next many weeks were going to be like until May 22 (I think I'm the only one thats excited hehe). Anyways back to February. Today means two things: one its the beginning of Black History Month and two, World Hijab Day ( so yay us to all my Muslim women and girls!!). Before I start today's blog I'd like to recommend you check out todays google doodle in honour of Sojourner Truth (you won't be disappointed).
When one hears World Hijab Day, the first thing that comes to mind is Muslim women being covered am I right? World Hijab Day (for women who choose to wear the hijab), a day of awareness and advocacy for the hijab started being celebrated on February 1, 2013. Over the years women who have decided to wear the hijab have been wrong accused of being terrorist accomplices and oppressed and have subsequently been victims of hate crimes, bigotry and islamophobia.
Everyone that wears the hijab has a purpose for wearing it. These purposes may range from an individual feeling complete with the hijab to wearing it for their religion or as a symbol of their cultural identity. Personally, I grew up in a place where hijab was both cultural and religious due to the society I lived in. My mother always encouraged us to wear the hijab until I found myself completely in love with it. It soon became a part of my fashion and my identity. It became a part of who I was.
People who are islamophobic mostly have never been interactive with muslims hence their ignorance and subsequently the islamophobia. WHD therefore advocates for hijab wearing women to not be seen as women who carry bombs waiting for the next place to wreck havoc but to bee seen as more than women in a covering. It advocates for bridges to be built so that conversations and educative platforms can be provided in order to allow others to understand, respect, and tolerate what the hijab is. In a world that is so full of hate and violence is becoming more broken with each passing day, we must strive to keep it together and peace must prevail beginning with the tolerance of individuals regardless of what they choose to wear. Happy World Hijab Day loves.
Ps: This post was inspired by a loved one
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