What is Hijab in Islam - a broader viewpoint

Hijab is one of the most misunderstood word as for Islam is concerned. It is usually taken in context of Muslim women for covering their body contours from the eyes of the men. In fact the concept of Hijab in Islam goes far beyond merely covering one’s body or wearing a headscarf of women. It, in fact, represents a broader set of guidelines and principles related to modesty, dignity, privacy, and morality. The term "Hijab" generally means "to cover, conceal, or separate." In Islamic teachings, Hijab encompasses both outward physical coverings and inward spiritual conduct.

Thus apart from its women specific meaning, Hijab actually means covering - that is all things from the eyes of others which either concern our Awrah or many other facets of life which may be inadvertently hurting to others, if not properly taken care of. Let us dwell on it in some details:

Hijab as mostly understood, specially by Non Muslims

We have already shared a number of posts on Hijab, which refer to Hijab as generally understood. The links are shared in under for detailed reading:

• Hijab for Muslim women
• Wear Raiment of Modesty and Righteousness 
• Islam PROHIBITS looking at `Awrah – the Intimate Body Parts of others
• Why Islam gives so much emphasis on Modesty " Hayā حياء " 
• Lone brave Indian Muslim girl protects her Hijab from intimidating Hindutva terrorists

Let us sum up the concept of Hijab as for its Physical Aspect: Modesty in Dress is concerned:

• For Women: The Hijab in its most common sense refers to the modest dress code prescribed for Muslim women. This includes covering the hair and body except for the face and hands (though some interpretations recommend covering the face as well). The objective is to maintain modesty and avoid drawing unnecessary attention to oneself in public.
• Quranic Reference:
• Surah An-Nur (24:31): "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests..."
• Surah Al-Ahzab (33:59): "O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves part of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused."

These verses establish the guidelines for modest dress, emphasizing covering parts of the body that are considered private (awrah) in public spaces.

• For Men: Although the Hijab is often associated with women, men also have guidelines regarding modesty. Men are required to dress modestly, cover their private parts (from the navel to the knee), and avoid clothing that draws excessive attention or is tight-fitting.

Surah An-Nur (24:30): "Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed,llah is Acquainted with what they do."

 

Modesty in dress for men also discourages extravagance or dressing in a way that could lead to pride or vanity. Please read our previous post for details: Let believing men cast down their looks

Broader meaning of Hijab in Islam

Let us now turn to meaning of Hijab in aspects other than women specific or covering of Awrah:

• Hijab of Behavior: Modesty in Conduct
• Lowering the Gaze: In addition to modest dress, Hijab includes the concept of "lowering the gaze" and avoiding inappropriate interactions with members of the opposite gender.

Surah An-Nur (24:30-31): Both men and women are commanded to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, which means avoiding lustful looks or inappropriate behavior.

• Respectful Interaction: Hijab also involves how individuals conduct themselves in social interactions. Conversations and interactions should be respectful, with the boundaries of modesty upheld. Inappropriate flirtation or physical contact with members of the opposite gender is discouraged.
• Segregation (in Certain Contexts): In certain social or religious settings, Islam encourages gender segregation to prevent any temptations or improprieties. While this varies depending on culture and context, the underlying principle is to create an environment of modesty and respect.
• Hijab of the Heart: Spiritual Modesty: Modesty in Islam is not limited to outward appearance; it also has a spiritual dimension. Hijab of the heart refers to cultivating a sense of modesty, humility, and God-consciousness (taqwa) within.
• Spiritual Purity: A believer is expected to guard their heart from pride, vanity, and immoral desires. The concept of Hijab thus extends to internal modesty, where one’s thoughts, intentions, and desires should align with Islamic teachings of morality and decency.
• Hijab of Speech: Modesty in Words: 
• The way one speaks is also part of the broader understanding of Hijab. Islam encourages believers to use their speech in a modest and respectful manner. This means avoiding vulgarity, slander, gossip, or flirtatious conversation.
• Quranic Reference:

Surah Al-Ahzab (33:32): "O wives of the Prophet, you are not like anyone among women. If you fear Allah, then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech."    

• This verse encourages women to speak respectfully and not in a manner that could be misinterpreted or lead to inappropriate attraction. The principle of modest speech applies to men as well.
• Hijab of Privacy: Protecting Personal Space
• The concept of Hijab also emphasizes the importance of personal privacy. Muslims are taught to respect the private space of others, including their homes and personal affairs.
• Quranic Reference: "O you who have believed, do not enter houses other than your own houses until you ascertain welcome and greet their inhabitants." Surah An-Nur (24:27)
• This verse stresses the importance of respecting others’ privacy, which is another aspect of modesty and courtesy in Islam.
• Hijab as Protection
• One of the purposes of Hijab in all its forms—dress, behavior, speech, and privacy—is to protect individuals from harm, unwanted attention, and immorality.
• Surah Al-Ahzab (33:59): "That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused."
• The outward expression of modesty, especially through clothing, is meant to provide a layer of protection from harassment or unwanted attention, ensuring dignity and safety.

Hijab of Projectionist Desires

Man swells out of his self when blessed with position, wealth and status better than others. Islam strictly prohibits projection of such desires for these not only display arrogance and pride rather than humbleness and humility. Some such projectionist desires are given herein under which inadvertently hurt many others, blessed less than them, are appended hereinunder:

• Hijab against exhibiting one's wealth in front of the poor
• Hijab against eating lavishly when being watched by a poor and hungry who cannot even afford a decent meal in a day
• Hijab against patting and pampering your children in front of the orphans lest their 
• Hijab against exposing others' faults and sins if you happen to know of
• Hijab against peeping into personal lives of others not exposing these to others

Thus the broad meaning of Hijab in Islam encompasses much more than the headscarf worn by women. It represents a comprehensive framework of modesty, respect, and dignity, which applies to both men and women. Hijab includes:

• Modesty in dress for both genders,
• Modesty in behavior such as lowering the gaze and maintaining proper boundaries in interactions,
• Modesty in speech, avoiding inappropriate language or tones,
• Spiritual modesty, maintaining purity of thought and intention.
• Privacy and protection of oneself from harm or exploitation. Read our post: Believers! Do not be  Over-inquisitive and unnecessarily curious
• At its core, the concept of Hijab reflects a holistic approach to living a modest, dignified, and respectful life in accordance with Islamic principles. It is designed to preserve the honor and morality of individuals and to foster a society built on mutual respect and decency.

Let us then very cautious of Hijab in its boarder meaning for it covers everything that that may lure into evil or hurt someone by exposure of acts as mentioned above.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

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How the world view Islam as the fastest growing religion

I started writing my blog back in 2018 to know why non Muslims embrace Islam and since my first post, everyday is a new day for me to get an answer to my question. Every single revert experience is so absorbing and meaningful that solidifies my faith in Islam more than yesterday. 

There have been many surveys that have been carried out in the past and are still being carried out to find why Islam is getting a firm foothold in every non Muslim country around the world and why the Muslim population is on the increase in the recent years. Muslims were a billion plus some twenty years ago, but the rapid reversion of non Muslims of every faith has made the Muslim population swell to more than 2.5 billion. Every year, more than 400o-5000 Americans revert to Islam, and the ratio is no less in other non Muslim countries. In Russia alone the Muslim population is around 23 million, despite the ruthless clamping of the Muslims in the communist era. Mind you the growth of Islam is undeterred by the general conception of Islamophobia and considering Muslims as terrorists and illiterate vagabonds. Many around the world believe that by the present growth size of Muslims, Islam will become the dominating religion in the world by year 2050, surpassing Christianity.

One of the amazing find of the surveys is that despite a general hatred for Hijab, the ratio of women embracing Islam is more than the men.  Many interview reveal that women wearing Hijab feel more confident of themselves, more precious that before when they wore revealing clothes and men stared on the bodies rather than finding more about character. The separate identity that Hijab gives to Muslim women is much more valuable to them rather than when they were out there in open, playing in the hands of lust of the men.

Today, I share an exhaustive video on what drives people to embrace Islam - a video that is a must watch for all Muslims and non Muslims, mulling to enter the fold of Islam.  In this video, despite the general prejudice about Islam, non Muslims are forced to confess Islam as the most peaceful religion that answers many a unanswered queries of the non Muslims about all prophets that have lived before the  last of the prophets, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, difference between God and Allah, and the concept of Trinity. In fact Qur'an, the last of the Divine Scripturas after Psalms, Torah and the Bible, talks more about Prophet Eesa (Jesus, peace be upon him) than Bible as some Christians think.

Please take out time and watch the video. If you are running short of time, then don't fast forward it, rather read in short lengths to understand the true growth of Islam around the world.  I for myself feel proud of living in a time when more and more access is available to Islam and people are willingly reading Qur'an, and Hadith / Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and taking Shahadah. Even priests, monks and bishops too are among those who are reverting to Islam, for they know where the truth lies.

I feel happy for being a part of the Da'wah (invitation to Islam) drive by writing about Islam and sharing information, like the one in the above shared video, with firm belief that these efforts will not go waste. And all my posts in my blog will be read over from every corner of the world, and if even one non Muslim takes Shahadah after reading my post, I will say I have achieved my mission to introduce Islam to the world, though my effort is like a drop of water dropped into the ocean of knowledge being shared around the world by scholars, imams and preachers.

May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us have unflinching faith and trust in Divine Wisdom and decisions and should never lament for we do not know that something better has been planned for us by our most caring Lord. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Disclaimer: The data / video for this post has been collected from the references given below or YouTube. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

To read personal accounts of many who have reverted to Islam, please visit our page: Embracing Islam: Revert Experiences. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo | Resource References: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Lone brave Indian Muslim girl protects her Hijab from intimidating Hindutva terrorists

Hijab is a symbol of modesty for women in Islam and at many places in Qur'an, women have been commanded to wear clothes that cover them from head to ankles leaving open their face, hands and feet. In fac all religions advocate women to be properly and "adequately" covered. But other than Islam, this dress has been left for nuns only while the generally women feel exposed with as much less clothes as possible. Read more on the subject in one of our earlier posts : Hijab for Muslim Women

But despite the so called freedom of women, the hijab of Muslim women pains the non Muslims and in some countries there is a total ban on hijab by Muslim women  Franc takes a lead is such countries. However recently Indian religious fanatic and radicals have unleashed a wave of intimidation and harassment against Muslim women clad in Burka, a loose black overall covering the entire body of the Muslim women. There have been instances wherein Muslim students girls wearing hijab have been stopped from entering their educational institutions. 

Recently a video has gone viral in which a lone Muslim female student clad in burka is seen being intimidated by a shouting and intimidating bunch of Hindu radicals in Indian state of Karnataka. But hats of this Muslim girl, later identified as Miss Muskan, who kept her wits about, dauntlessly stood the Nazi-type heckling, insult, and harassment at the hands of Hindutva fanatics and kept walking to her college chanting Muslim slogan of Allah hu Akbar (God is great). In the photo above she can be seen tailed by Hindu radicals. 

The entire Muslim world has joined hands together in appreciating and commending Mis Muskan for her very brave reactions to a mob which was very volatile and chanting prop Hindu slogans. Her courage to protect her modesty and hijab has been appreciated and will be a big question mark on the face of so called secular India. It may be noted that these Hindutva terrorists are the from the Indian BJP party of Indian PM Modi and since his occupation of the seat, incidents of hostilities against Muslims and Christians have increased manifold.

Her individual yet bold action and response to intimidation has made her a symbol of resistance on behalf of Indian Muslim girls who are suffering because of wearing Hijab in public. While burka or hijab is taken as offensive clothing, no one around the world objects to Hindus wearing saffron scarf which is in fact a symbol of radical Hinduism. In an interview, the brave girl says she is happy to see the appreciation she has received on social media: "So much love they are giving me and it gives me so much strength. I thank them very much."

Watch the video below of the entire incident as it went viral on the social media. As she walked towards her class after parking her scooter, a group of Hindutva terrorists began to mock her hijab by chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ Unperturbed by the terror unleashed by BJP supporters, the girl stopped to shout ‘Allahu Akbar.’

It is time now that world must realize that Hijab by Muslim women is a reality and no amount of intimidation and anti hijab laws and hijab bans can rob the Muslim women from their right to observe hijab.

You may also refer to our reference page on Women in Islam and other Reference Pages created so far, to know more about Islam.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Islam and Life of Muslims in Non Muslim Countries: Georgia

Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia at the border of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Georgia is bordered by the Black Sea, Russia, Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. The Republic of Georgia is an avowedly Christian country, but one out of every ten Georgian citizens is Muslim.  Orthodox Christianity accounts for 83.4% of the population. Muslims constitute approximately 9.9%[2] of the Georgian population. According to other sources, Muslims constitute 10-11% of Georgia's population. 

Islam in Georgia was introduced in 654 when an army sent by the Third Caliph of Islam, Uthman, conquered Eastern Georgia and established Muslim rule in Tbilisi. Within the Muslim community, there are are two major groups: the Sunni Hanafi and the Azerbaijani Muslims which are separated largely by region.  In July 2011, Parliament of Georgia passed new law allowing religious minority groups with “historic ties to Georgia” to register. The draft of the law specifically mentions Islam and four other religious communities.

During the Arab period, Tbilisi (al-Tefelis) grew into a center of trade between the Islamic world and northern Europe. For several centuries, the Georgian kings and aristocrats converted to Islam and served as courtiers to the Iranian Safavid, Afsharid and Qajar dynasties, who ruled them.

Sunnite Mosque - 1880 [Photo:  Wikimedia Commons / Author: Dmitri Ivanovich Yermakov / Source ]

Islam first arrived in Adjara in the 16th century. A former region of the Ottoman Empire, Adjara was ceded to Russia – and joined to other Georgian territories – in 1878. Nevertheless, Adjarans continued to feel an attachment to Turkey and their Islamic faith – sometimes in opposition to Orthodox Christian Georgians and Russians. In 1921, under the Treaty of Kars between Turkey and Soviet Russia, an autonomous Adjara was created to protect local Muslims. Adjara became one of two autonomous entities in the Soviet Union established not on ethnic, but religious grounds. However, Adjara’s Muslims occupy a peculiar position in the popular mind. They are not real Georgians, because they are not Christians. But neither are they enemies, because they share the same language.

The life of Muslims doesn't seem to be easy as observations by onlookers are varying. The Autonomous Republic of Adjara on the Black Sea coast in western Georgia is home to a large and much overlooked Muslim community. The last official census in 2002 showed that 30% (115,000) of Adjarans considered themselves Muslim. Chechens or Kists, Adjaran Muslims are ethnic Georgians, living in a country where Islam is seen by many as a hostile religion. Georgia’s Muslim community must repeatedly prove its loyalty to both the Georgian nation and Islamic faith and culture every day; no mean feat, given the widely differing expectations that entails.

After 70 years of Soviet atheism, the newly independent state promoted Orthodox Christianity as central element of Georgian identity. The Muslims, be they Sunni or Shi'ite, are theoretically under the central authority of the imam of Tbilisi's central mosque, Akhund Hadji Ali, himself dependent on the Baku-based Administration of the Muslims of the Caucasus. The reality shows, however, that there are two major separate Muslim communities living in Georgia: the Shi'ite Azeris and the Sunni Adjars, who scarcely co-operate. in Adjaria, Sunni Adjars are resisting attempts at (re)- Christianization.

Central Mosque in Tbilisi [Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Author: Henri Bergius  / Source]

Muslims have their mosques for offering prayers together in every Muslim community. Mosques in Georgia operate under the supervision of the Georgian Muslim Department, established in May 2011. Tbilisi's Jumah mosque is shared by Sunnis and Shia because Soviets destroyed the Shia's house of worship decades ago - it was never rebuilt. In 2010, Turkey and Georgia signed an agreement by which Turkey was yo provide funding and expertise to rehabilitate three mosques and to rebuild a fourth one in Georgia. On a reciprocal basis, Georgia was to rehabilitate four Georgian monasteries in Turkey. The Georgia-Turkey agreement allowed the reconstruction of the historical Azize mosque in Batumi, Ajaria demolished in the middle of the last century.

Although, Muslims have lived peacefully in Georgia for centuries, the attitude of Christians is rather indifferent, A large number of people see Islam as alien to the Georgian national identity. This attitude is a source of much frustration in its southwestern region of Adjara, where about 30 percent of ethnic Georgians follow Islam. Generally Christianity is always equated with the Georgian identity so the more Muslims there are, the more risk of losing the Georgian identity. "Generally, if you are not visually recognizable as a Muslim, people are fine with you because they don't necessarily ask about your religion. But if you are wearing a hijab and express your religious identity, you get a different reaction," one Muslim woman told  Al Jazeera.

Inga Popovaite in her article "Georgian Muslims are strangers in their own country" writes about Hijab and plight Muslim women observing Hijab. "For Georgian Muslim women, the biggest challenge is probably wearing the hijab in public. Many Muslim women I met in Adjara did not cover their hair on a daily basis in an attempt to blend into Christian society. the hijab not only forces unwanted attention on a woman in public, but affects their professional life as well. Those women who chose to wear the traditional Muslim attire walk the streets while their fellow citizens whisper 'Iranian', 'Turk', and 'Go back to your own country' behind their backs." [2]

On another forum, Ghada E, expresses similar concerns. She says: "I have just returned from Georgia today and as a hijab-wearing Arab woman I found the majority of Georgians exceptionally rude/giving me the cold shoulder - some people even refused to help when I asked for simple things such as directions etc. I have experienced subtle racism before but I felt in Georgia the hostility towards Muslims is very direct/in your face. The nicest people were those working in the tourism sector (tour guides, hotel staff etc) but then again they are paid to be nice to guests so I cannot really say it was genuine. " [3]

There are two major Muslim groups in Georgia. The ethnic Georgian Muslims are Sunni Hanafi and are concentrated in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara of Georgia bordering Turkey. The ethnic Azerbaijani Muslims are predominantly Shia Ithna Ashariyah and are concentrated along the border with Azerbaijan and Armenia.


The Meskhetian Turks, also a Sunni Hanafi group, are the former inhabitants of the Meskheti region of Georgia, along the border with Turkey. They were deported to Central Asia during November 15–25, 1944 by Joseph Stalin and settled within Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Of the 120,000 forcibly deported in cattle-trucks a total of 10,000 perished. Today they are dispersed over a number of other countries of the former Soviet Union. There are 500,000 to 700,000 Meskhetian Turks in exile in Azerbaijan and Central Asia. 

Those Meskh who remain in Georgia live a very lowly life. Watch a video on the plight of Meskh Muslims in Georgia:

Author's Note: The data for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If any one differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

To know more about life of Muslims in other non Muslim countries, please visit our page: Islam and Life of Muslims in Non Muslim Countries

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
For more Q&A about Understanding Islam click here

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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World Hijab Day - 1st February 2019

Hijab for Muslim women is not only a sign of modesty but also a Commandment from Allah, which makes it obligatory for Muslim women to wear clothes as ascribed for them in the Holy Qur'an. I have already written a detailed post on the subject in one of my earlier posts, in which I have also classified that what world calls Hijab is in fact called Khimer in Arabic.  However, since world understands Hijab what actually is Khimer, we shall use the same world so as not to confuse the issue.

In most of the non Muslim countries, Muslim women observing Hijab are often treated badly and some even pity them for following a religion which oppresses women and their basic human rights. Some so called outward looking Muslim women who feel ashamed of following the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and thus inadvertently support those who consider Hijab as a symbol of oppression and divisiveness. Hijab thus makes Muslim women a visible target and have to often bear the brunt of anti Islam forces.

In order to counteract Hijab related controversies World Hijab Day is being observed annually since since 2013, founded by Nazma Khan, a New York based Muslimah. The event takes place on February 1st each year in 140 countries worldwide. Its stated purpose is to encourage women of all religions and backgrounds to wear and experience the hijab. Event organizers describe it as an opportunity for non-Muslim women to experience the hijab.

This annual event is gaining strength every year and more and more Muslim women who felt shy of wearing Hijab for the ear of being singled out or for being targeted and possibility of being harmed. are now more confident of observing Hijab and tell the world that Hijab is a symbol of modesty and not a sign of been backward or orthodox.

I cam across some thought provoking comments by those observing Hijab, which shows resilience of Muslim women to stand up to their Hijab and defend it forcefully:

• Rumana Zaib from India very boldly defends her decision to wear Hijab in a Hindu dominated India: "By wearing hijab, it gives a feeling of being safe and protected from the evil world, while still having the mind and courage to face it. It's where you CHOOSE NOT to stand a chance of being appreciated for the superficial beauty; which is mere an illusion that conceals one's hidden self. It's where you care less about people's opinions on your choices, when all your trying to is please the Almighty. And the best part is that you are representing your religion, and your people. Alhamdulillah, I have grown better after having understood this. From a time where I wasn't very practicing as a Hijabi, to this day where I reflect upon the need for being one - has got refined changes in me in the most subtle ways. This has a major role to play in the betterment of my thoughts, expression, perception and everything I do to carry myself well. Hijab is my armour.”
• Marcela Daza (Colombia) says her Hijab is the Most empowerment garment: If you think hijab holds you from exploring the world, think again. My hijab is the most empowering garment I ever had. The hijab speaks for me, it tells the world that I’m a Muslim woman, that I believe in Allah (SWT) and I try to follow the prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) teachings. It’s also a reminder of the Sunnah (my ethics code) and acts sometimes quicker than my own conscience. It makes me feel connected with this world because as a Muslim woman, I have a moral duty in society.  At the same time, it tells me to keep working my way to Jannah (Paradise). [6]

Watch a beautiful video on Modesty and Hijab:

In a recent survey of 10 countries that included Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Philippines, USA, Nigeria, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, Muslim women were asked many a questions regarding wearing of Hijab and otherwise. And this must come as a surprise to those who think Hijab is oppressive and against women freedom, that when women were asked:  “Do you feel oppressed in your hijab?” On Instagram, 94% answered No and 6% answered Yes.  On Facebook, 81% answered No and 19% answered yes. Read the complete poll at the given reference. [7]

May the world learns to respect tolerate people of other faith, specially Muslims, who perhaps are the only faithful left still religiously following Islam and trying to survive in a world that doesn't find itself at ease with women observing Hijab and protecting their modesty. 

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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