Hyderabad: Organisers distribute headgear amongst women

Hyderabad: Women across the City observed World Hijab Day, while generating awareness about the importance of covering their heads on Saturday and Sunday. They emphasised that traditionally different communities in different forms have been covering their heads, but the market forces in the 20th century forced women to disown the practice.

The World Hijab Day, founded in 2013 by New Yorker Nazma Khan, started in response to Muslim women being harassed for wearing the head covering used by some women who practice Islam. Organisers had asked non-Muslim women to wear hijabs for a day in solidarity with Muslim women worldwide.

In different parts of the Old City in Charminar, Malakpet, Chandrayangutta and other localities like Tolichowki and even Secunderabad girls and women reached out to the women of different communities to explain about the practical benefits of covering their heads marking Hijab Day on February 1.

They also distributed the headgear to women along with roses, as a gesture of goodwill. Women who took part in the programme argued that the 'hijab' protects women from 'evil eyes' of men and remains like a security cover for the women who wish to travel without any male escort, particularly in a country like India.

While referring to the increasing number of women protecting themselves from pollution, they felt that besides pollution the covered faces of women help her evade any ill-intentioned gaze. "Who said Hijab (head covering) is only for Muslims, traditionally women of different communities for instance Rajasthani women have been covering not only their heads, but also faces for avoiding gaze of men and nuns amongst Christians are more respected because of their attire," pointed out, State Secretary of organization, Ayesha Sultana.

Meanwhile in Banjara Hills, young girls were seen trying out different types of Hijabs and scarves on display during the Hijab Show of IDH London's first store in Hyderabad on Saturday. Youngsters checked out Hijabs and Abayas on display during the event.

They tried different styling techniques for the traditional head-wear worn originally by Muslim girls and women which has evolved beyond religious affiliation into means of fashion statement.

According to Rahmatunnisa, who introduced the Muslim fashion brand in Telangana, "Hijab is a powerful but adorably modest wear embodying modest and clean fashion for girls. She adds "modern hijabs are being used as a style statement in over 100 countries globally".

"The aim of the Hijab show was to create awareness on how hijabs can be traditional headgear but stylishly modern at the same time."

The organisers also gave away its specially designed hijabs as free goodies to nearly 20 participants selected randomly though a lucky draw.