World Hijab Day

You may have seen on the Green Bay news channels that today is “World Hijab Day.” Women of all faiths around the world are being asked to wear the hijab in solidarity with Muslim women. Maggie (right) and Mollie (center) helped me (left) get head-wrapped for the occasion.

The hijab is the name for Islamic headscarves that cover the hair (but it is also a general term for modest Muslim dress). The type of headscarf most commonly worn in the West covers the head and neck but leaves the face exposed.

New Yorker Nazma Khan started the global movement five years ago by asking women around the world to wear the hijab for the day. Ms Khan said: "I thought If I could invite women of all faiths - Muslim and non-Muslim - to walk in my shoes just for one day, perhaps things would change."

Women are being asked to post a photo of themselves wearing a headscarf on social media using the hashtag #iStand4Hijab. The organizers say: “The overall mission of WHD is to create a more peaceful world where global citizens respect each other. The day focuses on fighting bigotry, discrimination, and prejudice against Muslim women."

On a side note, I should have been able to predict someday my daughters would persuade me to try a hijab.