Edited by Afe Folasade
|
The theme for this year World Hijab day is “Better Awareness, Greater Understanding and Peaceful World”.
World Hijab day is an annual event.
This concept of Hijab day celebration was brought to the limelight last year even though it is a universal declaration by Almighty Allah (SBHT) in the Holy Quran while Quran 7 verse 32. say, “who has forbidden the adornment with clothes given by Allah, which he has produced for his slaves, and all kinds of Halal foods, say they are in the life of this world, for those who believe, only for a people who have knowledge.”
The stated purpose is to encourage all Muslim women to wear Hijah even for just one day so as to get reward from Allah the creator of all creatures.
The day is to create awareness on the use of Hijab and Muslims plight against prejudice, bigotry and religious hatred. It also open a dialogue as Islam and Christianity preach decency.
It is also an avenue to raise money for charity-World Hijab day Organization.
It is a day set aside meant to feel closely to Allah regardless of religion. Polls revealed that about 71% of women in Hijab face discrimination in European countries, Australia, Asia and USA. We can all recall Dridaus Amasa’s case who was denied being called to bar exactly a year ago, but Alhamdulilah, the case has been won. It should be noted that Hijab is not a symbol of oppression. Women are to use this day to promote healthy, respectful, inter faith dialogue with families and peers.
Remember that to strangers, you will most likely appear as Muslim in Hijab, so be sure not to do anything that would portray Muslims or Islam in a negative or hypocritical ways.
Dressing modestly however is really a good idea. Present yourself with dignity and self respect. At the end of the day we should pray to Allah to protect our veiled sisters, we ask Allah to shield them from discrimination and to protect them from those that would act hatefully towards them due to their Islamic way of dressing. It is worthy to note that the use of Hijab is not a hindrance to development. I believe that the lecturer will do justice to the theme of this year’s World Hijab day.
Before ending my speech, I want to give thanks and appreciate Ondo State government under His Excellency, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu for the tone of tolerance and amicable co-existence that enable us to live in peace in Ondo State. We thank God under his government, no record of open confrontation by any school principal or teacher against the use of Hijab in any of our public schools. It will be recalled that such ugly incidence have been recorded in several states particularly in the South Western part of Nigeria. We also thank the government for including teachers of Arabic and Islamic studies in the on-going recruitment exercise by state Universal Basic Education Board.
The issue of Hijab should be embraced by all women as ordained by Allah and the society should accept its usage as a sign of respect of privacy, dignity and freedom of expression and religion.
Muslimat should note that Almighty Allah is AL Rokib (the watchful) The one who watches all his creatures and observes everything ever including our dressing on earth.
You are addressed the way you dress hence Muslims should dress properly according to the injunction of Almighty Allah, and let us continue this awareness on Islamic dressing not only as a day celebration but right away in our various homes.