“Hijab Is Our Right” Muslim Women Say

A cross-section of Muslim women has insisted that the use of the hijab is a fundamental right of women that must be upheld.

They appealed to the general public to respect and protect the rights of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab.

The women appealed to a one-day sensitisation programme held by the Women Forum of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society Abuja, to commemorate World Hijab Day 2023.

Hajia Aisha Adaviruku, who delivered the lecture titled “Unapologetic Hijabi: The Essence of Hijab in Islam,” said, “The choice to wear hijab is a fulfilment of a religious injunction and not a sign of oppression.”

“Everyone should respect the right of the Muslim woman to wear hijab, and she should not be discriminated against, abused, vilified, or denied access to anything because of her choice to be modest,” she advised.

Also speaking at the event, Hajia Amina Sani asked women not to be apologetic about the hijab they wear since they chose modesty instead of revealing more flesh. “If a woman chooses not to reveal her skin, it should not be a problem for anyone.” “Her right to cover herself should be respected, and the women who choose to cover themselves because of their faith should not be afraid to do the right thing.”

In the same vein, Hajia Sa’adatu Ibrahim, who was the mother of the day at the event, wondered why some people think the hijab is strange when, in fact, the use of head covering predated the Islamic religion.

“If you look at the pictures and illustrations of Mary, the mother of Jesus, you will see that she has a head scarf. As we speak, even Christians like Catholic nuns also wear a type of head covering, so why should the Muslim woman be discriminated against because she chose to be like her predecessors? she asked.

On her part, the chairperson of the event, Hajia Rahamatu Ozigi, said school authorities should respect the Supreme Court ruling from 2022, which ruled in favour of the hijab in public schools in Lagos State. She said all states should understand that the ruling is also applicable across the country.

Dr Rekiya Momoh-Abaji focused her message on young girls as she called on them to keep their faith there and remember the reasons why they wear the hijab.   “The world is getting more precarious, and this calls for parents to be more committed to their children to teach them boundaries and respect.” “One way to do that is to teach all children to respect the use of the hijab.”

Away from the messages by women, the National Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Fuad Adeyemi, described the theme of World Hijab Day as appropriate and a reflection of the truth about hijab. “Hijab is not a sign that the woman is being oppressed.” “It is a symbol of her emancipation because she chose the hijab as her identity,” he said.

HISTORY OF WORLD HIJAB DAY

February 1st is the global day to mark World Hijab Day, and several organisations hold programmes to raise awareness and seek respect for Muslim women who choose to adorn themselves in a headscarf called the hijab.

World Hijab Day is an annual event that was created to encourage women of all religions and backgrounds to wear and experience the hijab. It is also a day to celebrate diversity and stand up against discrimination. The event was started by a woman named Nazma Khan, and it has spread to over 150 countries.

The goal of World Hijab Day is to create a more understanding and tolerant world for Muslim women.

There is often a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding surrounding the hijab, and this day provides an opportunity for non-Muslim women to learn more about it. It is also a chance for Muslim women to feel empowered and proud of their choice to wear the hijab.