World Hijab Day

Observing World Hijab Day

February 1^st was World Hijab Day. Some of our Muslim students (admittedly a tiny minority of our predominantly white student body) organized an event at the College that provided free hijabs to anyone who wanted to participate. I did a little research on hijabs when I got to my office. I would be wearing one to class and wanted to be prepared for questions. The hijab is worn for modesty. Musllims certainly don’t have the corner on that market. Any number of world religions advise modest dress as part of giving up worldly desires in the path to enlightenment and/or pleasing God. Buddhists, Calvinists, Puritans, Shakers, some orders of Roman Catholic nuns and monks, and on and on. My inclination to modest dress stems from less lofty ideals. I never could work up an interest in fashion, and I prefer to devote my resources to other worldly desires, such as fine dining.

Some countries have laws requiring women to wear hijabs; others have laws forbidding it. To my mind, both of these laws are violations of women’s rights, just as it is equally wrong to forbid or require abortions. World Hijab Day (worldhijabday.com) seeks to raise awareness and support for a woman’s right to choose.

After I was done at the Fitness Center (working out in a head scarf seemed a bit much), I reported to Student Life to pick out a hijab that matched my outfit and by coincidence was my favorite color (red). The hijab was very soft, 100% rayon, and made in India. My hope was that one of the two Muslim students on hand would just put it on me, but I only got a demo. I also noted that they both had tight head bands beneath their hijabs, which I soon realized was the only way on earth you could possibly hide all of your hair. They also had a handout about the hijab that had photos of how to put it on and guidelines for the rest of your attire while wearing the hijab. The photos showed safety pins; only straight pins were provided. The guide included covering your whole body except hands and face and specifically prohibited showing cleavage. Check.

Here’s what I learned from wearing the hijab:

1. There is a learning curve to putting one on. I had to stop in the restroom on the way back to my office to start over because it had already started to slip. The key seemed to be securing it very tightly under one’s chin on the first pass. A safety pin would have been helpful, but after six attempts, I had it done with the straight pin.
2. Once you put on a hijab, there is no turning back. When I took it off to reposition the first time, my hair was more plastered to my head than I had ever seen it. Totally worse than hat hair.
3. It definitely cuts down on your peripheral vision.
4. My head was not hot while I had it on, but it was cold when I took it off.
5. While it felt odd at first, by the end of the day, I really liked it. I enjoyed the feel of the soft fabric caressing my face. I loved how the cloth cascaded around my shoulders and the fringes lay over my chest.
6. Even though the point of the hijab is modesty, I must confess that it made me feel quite elegant and exotic. 

I wish that hijabs would catch on among non-Muslims, actually. With modesty comes freedom, whether from worldly desires or just from having to fuss with your hair. Bad hair day? Throw on the hijab. No time for a shower? Where’s my scarf?

I’m not sure how my students felt about me wearing my hijab. I explained that I was taking advantage a multicultural opportunity and encouraged them to do the same because that was what college was for. And then we went on with lecture.

I was happy to have had this opportunity. No matter what, I will always support a woman’s right to make her own decisions. I can hardly wait for World Hijab Day next year!