Today, February 1, is World Hijab Day[1].
Founded by Nazma Khan in 2013, World Hijab Day, is meant to encourage Muslim and non-Muslim women to wear a headscarf as a way of experiencing the life of a Hijabi.
Not everyone sees this movement as a positive force that promotes cultural understanding. Critics say it is an effort to support oppressive traditions[2].
Many Muslim women, like Kareema Taghi of Mechanicsburg, say that wearing a Hijab is far from oppressive. Kareema was born in the United States to a military family and raised Methodist. She converted to Islam in March of 2001 and decided to wear her hijab soon after.
"It takes a very strong person to put on the scarf and face the world," Taghi said. The risks of covering are especially high in today's tense climate of islamophobia in America, she said.
Taghi and her 12-year-old daughter, Aisha, see wearing the hijab as a personal act of modesty and dedication to their faith. Aisha, who chose to cover when she was 10-years-old, said she wears her scarf to convey that she is proud to be Muslim.
To learn more about their commitment to wearing the hijab watch the video above.References
- ^ World Hijab Day (worldhijabday.com)
- ^ Critics say it is an effort to support oppressive traditions (www.thedailybeast.com)
