World Hijab Day is on Feb. 1 of every year, and the Muslim Student Association celebrated this year by running a booth for students to learn about the significance of the day and have the opportunity to try on their own hijabs.
About the event
The Student Union Market has a table that is available for Wright State University clubs and students to use for promotions and events as a way to reach a large number of people.
The purpose of World Hijab Day is for everyone to experience wearing a hijab, not just Muslim women. The idea behind this day is to bring more awareness to the religion and the hijab to try and combat Islamophobia.
Lots of students do not know much about the religion, which makes events like this so important to educate people. Zamzam Muhamud, a crime and justice major at WSU, shared why she wanted to help run this event.
“World Hijab Day isn’t celebrated as much in the Western world, and I think it’s important to share our culture with people who don’t know about it,” Muhamud said.
What is a hijab?
A hijab, in its definition, refers to the modest clothing Muslim women wear. When people hear hijab, the first thing they think of is a headscarf, but that is only part of it.
In Muslim culture. there is a strong belief that women should cover their hair, and that is why they wear head scarfs, or hijabs.
However, hijab also refers to the way people talk, dress and act. Hijabs are also for Muslim men, but in the form of rules rather than just clothing. Men are supposed to wear loose fitting clothing and lower their gaze when they speak to women.
In addition to this, men are also not supposed to hang out with women who are not Muslim, as they believe this can lead them into temptation.
Purpose of the event
The purpose of the event was to raise more awareness around WSU campus about Muslim culture and teach students about their religion.
Maya Hourani, a student at the University of Dayton, shared what being Muslim has meant to her and how it has impacted her life.
“For me, being Muslim serves as a way of guidance and grounding. In times where I feel lost and overwhelmed, I know I can turn to God or sit down in prayer to find my inner peace,” Hourani said.
Religion is a very important part of Muslim culture, and this event gave Muslim students at WSU the opportunity to share their culture with students who were interested to learn.
Hana Habib, one of the event coordinators, and a member of the Muslim Student Association, shared her favorite part of the event.
“It’s so awesome to see the girls who are trying on a hijab for the first time. We have so many different colors and designs for them to choose from, and I love seeing the smile on their faces once they put them on,” Habib said.
The Muslim Student Association has weekly meetings, and students can join them for their Friday prayer, if they are interested in learning more about the hijab and other aspects of Muslim culture.
