Celebrating World Hijab Day: Waleemah on the Road

Yesterday 1^st of February is an interesting day (World Hijab Day), Waleemah team interact with lots of people to understand their knowledge about Hijab and Muslimah who use Hijab and we eventually end it all interviewing some students of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) at Ijanikin, Lagos. Different view and opinion was shared. 

One of it is that of Sister Muslimah who believe Hijab is so important to her as a sign of modesty and dignity. She believes using Hiijab is one of her constitutional right and she see no reason while she should be denied of it. According to her, right from secondary school she has being facing the challenges of using Hijab by the school Principal but she never give up. Ask about her view about Christian using Hijab of just using to support them about the World Hijab Day. She believes in Nigeria, We are ignorant about Hijab being a right, that they have the freedom to use it at anytime and anywhere. Her interactions with many Christian still negate using Hijab but she believes is as a result of their ignorant.

Sister Muslimah AOCOED (left) and Sister Fathia C0;Founder Waleemah

 Sister Suliah and Nafisah was interview together. To Suliah, Hijab is a lot to her, She never forget to mention the modesty and most importantly Hijab makes her feel like the most beautiful girl in the whole world. Nafisah said Hijab gives her inspiration and Almighty Allah and His Prophet (SAW) commanded covering head and body, she don’t see reason for going against such.

Suliah (left), Nafish (right) both AOCOED and Fathia (Walemah)

 Hijab comes in different sizes , but Suliah said, she don’t know of tomorrow but she is still ok with the one she is using for now, that using full Hijab never occur to her so also Nafisah. Meanwhile, how do they fill in the gathering of sister who uses it. Suliah said, she never feels inferior in anyway and never mind whatever they say. At least in as much she can gain something interacting with them. To Nafisah, she never likes the way they criticize and correct fellow Muslimah.

Another interesting discussion with Sister Busirah points out the victimizing aspect of using Hijab. She recall one of her lecturer insisting she use smaller Hijab instead the full Hijab during their cultural day and terrorizing of failing her in that course if she fail to do so which she have no choice but to do so. About seeing a Christian using Hijab on the World Hijab Day, she said she will be happy at least during that process she may like it and get convinced. Being from Muslim background, she has being using Hijab from childhood and not using it makes her feel nicked.

Sister Busirah AOCOED (left) with Sister Fathia

 Sister Mariam a 200 level Chemistry/mathematics students believe Hijab is meant to protect against fitnah and as a covering for our nakedness. With Hijab she believes sexual harassments will be drastically reduced. She said she has never being victimized using Hijab and while she is happy seen Christian sisters supporting them on World Hijab Day, she will prefer seeing them using Hijab normally and regularly.

Sister Mariam AOCOED (left) and Sister Fathia

 Sister Mansurah said following the commandment of Allah and Prophet Muhammed (SAW), all part of woman body is nakedness and covering it is more beneficial for us both on earth and hereafter. He said if two women is going to together, all things being equal, the one with Hijab and proper dressing will command dignity more than the one without Hijab and that alone is a pride for her.