BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

WHILE wearing the hijab is wajib (compulsory) as stated in the Al-Quran, Muslim women should make the choice to don the headscarf and not be forced into it.

This was the message delivered during the World Hijab Day (WHD) event in Brunei Darussalam.

Mia Suria, the official ambassador of the WHD movement in the country, in her speech opined that the hijab “is a choice, not by force”.

The event yesterday was Brunei’s first participation in the WHD, with an event organised during the Cintai Rasul Carnival at the National Indoor Stadium at Berakas.

The WHD was founded by Nazma Khan, a Bangladeshi living in New York, United States of America last year, with the main aim of appreciating millions of Muslim women who have chosen to don the hijab and make it part of their lifestyle.

“For me personally, I hope to inspire Muslimahs in Brunei to wear the hijab and start covering up,” said Mia when asked what she hopes to achieve out of the event.

She also stated that the WHD is a special movement that unites women (Muslims and non-Muslims) all around the world.

Also present during the event was Victoria Crane, an international artist and photographer. Victoria, an expatriate, felt that she needed to do something to try and correct the ignorance caused by the media on the way that they portray Islam.

As a result, Victoria created a portraiture series entitled ‘The Beauty in Islam’ focusing on the women in Islam. The series is focused on women in Islam because she felt that they were always misunderstood and seen as being oppressed.

“I did a lot of research and interviews regarding this topic and found out that Muslim women around the world are not forced to wear the hijab. Wearing the hijab is a personal choice made by them to respect their bodies, their faith and their God.”

She also expressed that even though she herself was not a Muslim, no matter w hat religion or what background an individual comes from, the WHD is about making the world a better place.

By accepting Muslim women and supporting the cause, we will be one step closer in making the world a better place. Victoria also showed her support by wearing the hijab during the event.

Another supporter of the event, Hjh Raeidyah Hj Bujang, a government officer and the official Brunei dealer for Radiusite Malaysia, said that event is a good way of raising awareness on the importance of wearing the hijab.

Hjh Raeidyah stated that with the various types of hijabs available now, women are able to choose a style they are comfortable with. She stated the movement will benefit a lot of women in the country and around the world, including herself.

This is the first non-profit event organised by Mia Mia Style Studio in collaboration with the Brunei Youth Council.

The WHD founder, Nazma, came up with the idea to foster religious tolerance and understanding by inviting women (non-hijabi Muslims and non-Muslims) to experience wearing the hijab for one day.

In the WHD official website, Nazma said she hopes that the WHD will open new pathways to understanding Muslim women and Islam better.

Nazma also hopes to counteract some of the controversies surrounding why Muslim women choose to wear the hijab.

Months ago, Birmingham Metropolitan College implemented a new policy stating that all students, staff and visitors to Birmingham Metropolitan College have been told to remove any face coverings so individuals are “easily identifiable at all times”. The ban was lifted after a 9,000 name petition was signed.

Mufti Ismail Menk, a well-known scholar, is also a supporter of the movement.

“When the world understands what hijab is, where it comes from and why it is donned, it will appreciate that banning it would do more harm than good,” he said in a speech published on the website.

The Brunei Times