World Hijab Day A Platform to Foster Understanding, Tolerance: Nazma Khan
“Internationally, it’s seen as a positive step toward breaking stereotypes and promoting inclusivity,” she told IQNA in an interview.
February 1st, 2013 marked the first annual World Hijab Day (WHD). This day is to recognize millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab and live a life of modesty.
The brainchild of this movement is a Bangladeshi-New Yorker, Nazma Khan, who came up with the idea as a means to foster personal freedom of religious expression and cultural understanding by inviting women from all walks of life to experience the hijab for one day on February 1st annually.
By raising awareness, Nazma hopes to counteract some of the controversies surrounding why Muslim women choose to wear the hijab.
It’s estimated that people in over 150 countries take part in World Hijab Day every year. The WHD has many volunteers and ambassadors worldwide to conduct WHD events in order to bring awareness about hijab. These ambassadors come from all walks of life. In addition, the WHD has been endorsed by many world renowned individuals including scholars, politicians, and celebrities worldwide.
There were many milestones since the inception of World Hijab Day. One of them has been the recognition of the day by New York State since 2017.
In the interview with IQNA, she remembered her experience as a difficult one.
“My name is Nazma Khan. I’m the 3rd child among our four siblings. We immigrated to NYC from Bangladesh in the mid-1990s. I have a bachelor’s degree in Biology. I have also studied Biomedical Engineering. Now, I’m married and blessed with two beautiful children. Alhamdullilah!” she told IQNA.
“Growing up in the Bronx, New York City, I experienced a great deal of discrimination due to my hijab. In middle school, they used to call me ‘Batman’ or ‘ninja.’ When I entered university, 9/11 happened. Now, I was called Osama bin laden or terrorist. It was awful. I figured the only way to end discrimination is if we ask our fellow sisters to experience hijab themselves.
“My main goal for launching World Hijab Day is to educate and bring awareness of the Hijab worldwide so my sisters can practice wearing the hijab without facing bigotry, discrimination and prejudice,” she stated.
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According to Nazma Khan, “The World Hijab Day has been embraced globally as a platform to foster understanding, tolerance, and solidarity. In the US, it's recognized for promoting cultural diversity and religious freedom, encouraging dialogue about the hijab's significance. Internationally, it's seen as a positive step toward breaking stereotypes and promoting inclusivity.”
Asked about the main challenges facing hijab-wearing women in the US, she said, "Hijabis in the US face challenges such as misconceptions about their faith, cultural stereotypes, occasional discrimination, and a need for increased awareness about the choice to wear the hijab. Additionally, balancing religious practices with societal expectations can be a complex aspect of their experience.”
She added, “The perspective of the Islamic fashion and lifestyle industry in the US and Western countries is evolving positively, with increasing recognition of diverse cultural expressions. There's a growing market for modest fashion, and mainstream brands are incorporating inclusive designs. This trend reflects a broader acceptance of diversity and a more nuanced understanding of cultural practices.”
The founder of the World Hijab Day further referred to Islamophobia as an outcome of ignorance. “I believe the root cause of Islamophobia is ignorance and lack of proper education about Islam. I mainly blame the media and people in power for spreading misinformation about Islam.”
For more info about the events and special activities on the World Hijab Day, check www.worldhijabday.com.
