Filipino Muslim and Non-Muslim women in Qatar celebrate “World Hijab Day”. PICTURE: Rannie Tanchico
By Joey Aguilar
Dozens of Filipina Muslims and non-Muslims in Qatar spearheaded the first “World Hijab Day” celebration in Qatar on Friday morning on the Corniche.
The activity was part of recognising millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab and live a life of modesty, said Marylie Cabangan Bulan, the organiser in Qatar. The first celebration was held on February 1, 2013 in New York.
She disclosed that the “World Hijab Day” has attracted many Muslims and non-Muslims in over 100 countries worldwide who celebrate the event on the same day.
Many of the participants were non-Muslims and members of the Filipino Fitness and Health in Qatar, which holds free aerobics (Zumba) session early Friday morning near the Oryx Statue.
Asked about the significance of hijab to her, Bulan admitted she was not a Muslim but she initiated a similar programme in Qatar believing that the cause has a noble intention. She pointed out that it fosters camaraderie and values respect to women like her regardless of religion.
In organising the activity, she asked the help of a female Filipino Muslim named Layla of Ladivadequafier Beauty Center who also distributed hijab to all the participants during the celebration.
“Covering our head with hijab does not stop a woman from being beautiful. Modesty has its own style and this is one way of expressing ourselves,” said Bulan.
The event was initiated by a New York resident named Nazma Khan who thought of holding celebrations annually “to foster religious tolerance and understanding by inviting women (non-hijabi Muslims/non-Muslims) to experience the hijab for one day.”
She said hijab maybe a symbol of oppression and segregation for some groups but Nazma hopes to bring answers, create awareness and understanding why Muslim women chose to wear hijab.
The movement was organised using social networking sites. Bulan hopes to make the celebration an annual event in the country supported by Filipino organisations and individuals.
