Research findings reveal that Muslim students across US
school levels endure alarming amounts of harassment and unfair treatment.
According to the Council on American–Islamic Relations-CA in
2024 their survey found that 49% of college Muslim students faced harassment
and discrimination because they were Muslim. The problem of teacher and student
bullying affected more than one-third of the students and over half of their
peers.
Among middle and high school Muslim students, 47 percent
report feeling "unsafe, unwelcome, or uncomfortable" at school
because of their identities. Students report one in four times that educators
make insulting remarks toward Muslims at school. The intimidation faced by
students who wear hijab speaks strongly at one-third of them reporting their
hijab was improperly handled.
As Nazma Khan points out through World Hijab Day non-Muslim
people fall into Islamophobia by lacking basic understanding of Muslim beliefs.
Since 2013 World Hijab Day has offered both Muslim and
non-Muslim individuals a way to deepen their connection by trying hijab wear
for a day. The act shows respect and knowledge of another culture according to
Khan.
People from all social backgrounds can understand my
experience by wearing the hijab one day even without sharing my faith. says
Khan. The women who try our hijab for one day may understand this simple
accessory is just a head covering. These women may defend anyone who suffers
bullying on trains because they understand the experience.
Explore the details behind World Hijab Day including who
participates, when events occur, where they take place, and the significant
reason that drives this observance.
History of World Hijab Day
In 2013 Nazma Khan launched World Hijab Day which today
attracts events in 190 nations globally. New York resident Nazma Khan who grew
up in Bangladesh and Brooklyn New York thought up the event.
WHD expected to improve interfaith relations between women
by welcoming those who choose not to wear the hijab to join the event. The
movement aims to build better connections across female communities worldwide
by teaching people about real hijab use.
People worldwide have spread the message of World Hijab Day
faster since its beginning. In 2017 New York State supported this day and that
same year the House of Commons in the United Kingdom held an event for World
Hijab Day. World Hijab Day is embraced as a practice by millions of observers
across global communities.
HOW TO OBSERVE #WorldHijabDay
The simplest method to support this event is by adopting a
hijab. Promote this action to every female member of your network. Study
different Muslim head coverings like the niqab, burka, shayla, khimar, and
chador. People use this day to explore the Islamic religion as well as its
practice.
Focus on reading about well-known Muslim women such as
- Elif Shafak – an award-winning novelist from Turkey.
- Mariah Idrissi – H&M’s first hijabi model.
- Dr. Hawa Abdi established a women's health hospital and
refugee shelter in Somalia then with her daughters. - Malala Yousafzai – the youngest recipient of the Noble Peace
Prize. - Ibtihaj Muhammed – the first Muslim hijab-wearing American
Olympic athlete.
Take a selfie wearing a hijab to share on social media under
#WorldHijabDay and raise visibility for this day.
