Being a woman wearing a hijab, practicing the religion of Islam, can in many cases come with being misunderstood. Hijab comes from the the Arabic hajaba which means to conceal or hide from view but in terms more easily understood it simply alludes to the Islamic modest dressing of women. Some however think a hijab is required and therefore suppressive but in actuality the Hijab is chosen by Muslim women who wish to show their intellect over their physical features. Just as many choose to wear the hijab many chose not to. Both paths are acceptable for Muslim women.

  On Feb. 1, 2013, New Yorker Nazma Khan began the first annual World Hijab Day. It is a day that recognizes the millions of women all over the world who practice Islam and choose to wear the hijab and live a life of modesty. The first WHD had 67 countries participating. Now, it is taking place in 140 countries around the world.

  The movement began with Nazma Khan, as previously stated, as a way to promote understanding and religious tolerance by inviting people of all backgrounds to experience the hijab. She faced discrimination throughout her childhood and wanted to create this event after seeing the fear the devastating events of 9/11 brought to the American public.

  “When I entered University after 9/11 I was called Osama bin Ladin or terrorist,” Khan said. “I figured the only way to end discrimination is if we ask our fellow sisters to experience hijab themselves.”

  Two years ago the Muslim Student Association brought the event to HSE. Officers of the group agree that the movement has the power and potential to create change and to educate those who do not understand what it means to wear a hijab.

  “This event gives people a chance to change their perspective about the religion and what Muslim women feel on a daily basis,” Sarah Ali, MSA officer said. “Many people, not all, assume that Islam is a suppressive religion but in actuality, Islam is a religion of peace. We greet each other with a phrase that means “may peace and mercy of Allah (God) be upon you”. We hope that this event and others that we do break this misconception in the minds of others.”

  Many students of many genders and backgrounds agreed to try on the Hijab at lunch Feb. 1, but only one girl, junior Bethany Dillow agreed to wear it the rest of the day. She learned about the hijab in addition to Islam in her comparative religions class and wanted to experience it for herself.

  “I got a lot of funny looks from people,” Dillow said. “Some people rudely asked me why I was wearing it or what I was doing with it on.”

   Junior Noor Abdullah, one of the four officers of MSA, has never experienced severe discrimination herself, as many women have, but she has received the judgmental stares comments and looks well as verbal confrontations of those who simply do not understand her religion.

  “For every ignorant person that I come across I remember that there are many more people who are open minded and accepting of people who look different,” Abdullah said. “I try my best to put myself out there as a strong, opinionated person who is an individual beyond these stereotypes.”

   In recent years people who identify as Muslim have often been wrongfully tied to the current terrorist groups that identify as Islamist. This stereotypical tie contributes to “Islamophobia” and links the religion to violence and danger.

  “Although they consider themselves Muslims,” Abdullah said. “These terrorists are going against everything Islam stands for and violate the most basic rules of peace and acceptance of all people.”

   World Hijab day is just one of many events that the MSA students are using to educate people of other religions and faiths. They frequently do meet and greets at their mosque their most recent one being Feb 4 and their next being on Mar 18.

   “It was a huge success that day,” Junior Fatima Hassan said. “We had people coming from all over Indiana to learn about Islam and talk about building a greater community and stronger ties with others around us.”

   Roua Daas one of the four MSA officers claims it is vital to break stereotypes and clarify misconceptions especially now. Recently elected Donald J. Trump implemented an executive order suspending refugee arrival and imposing harsh regulations on seven majority Muslim countries Jan. 27. Daas believes the ban only serves as another way of instilling fear in people.

   “The people affected by this ban are mostly refugees who are already fighting for their lives,” Daas said. “Not a single American has been killed on American soil by refugees from the seven banned countries in the past 40 years.”

  The events that MSA brings to HSE will continue to serve as an educational tool to inform people of all racial, religious and cultural backgrounds on what it means to wear a hijab. The officers of MSA and its members hope that eventually the movement, and events similar to it, will help counter stereotypes and shed light on general misconceptions about the religion

   “These stereotypes which have been promoted by the media not only affect Muslims, but everyone,” Daas said. “Hate crimes increased significantly after November’s election. We need to work together to break these stereotypes to be able to keep peace among people.”