143 Days Before Her: World Hijab Day launch event

Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu.

May the peace and blessings of the Almighty be with you.

Let me start this off with just a brief story on how this started. As one of the chosen Ph World Hijab Day ambassadors, it’s my duty to spread the word as much as I could. I got to the point of meeting Congresswoman Djalia through my uncle, Mr. Ayunan Gunting. I was very grateful for having the chance of talking to her about the importance of hijaab, along with spreading the word about observing World Hijab Day. Shortly after that, she started organizing this event, she told me once, “You know mara, this can help us with our Bill Against Discrimination on account of ethnicity and religious belief. The best way to erase biases is to have people understand our way of life and there can be no better way to achieve this than have them experience it." I strongly believe that if the bill is given the necessary support, it will benefit in many ways. It can change people’s lives not just for our Muslim brothers and sisters, but for everybody on a whole. Right there in that moment, I knew it in my heart that she is the one whom I can trust wholeheartedly for doing a tremendous job. Someone who is willing to do everything for an advocacy this big. It’s inspiring!

Wearing a hijab is truly humbling. There is a lot of nervousness and anxiety. You are constantly asking yourself, “What will it feel like?”, “Will the world view me as a terrorist?”, “People are going to laugh!” etc. Wearing it is easy, but true strength comes when you are ready to take on the world without fearing the reactions and helping others around you to realize its importance. I must add that regardless of the discriminations, judgmental behavior, I was never attacked by someone verbally and physically (phew!), or even looked at differently. I was in fact, Alhamdulillah, given respect for wearing the hijab. Islam in no way degrades women by keeping them behind the veil. It, in reality, uplifts women and gives them the equal status and maintains it. It teaches us moral conduct, behavior, attitude and so much more. A woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality and is allowing her femininity to be brought out. The idea is to obey her Creator over the creation. Wearing the hijab assures you safety and security.

Today, an event was held at the North Wing lobby of the House of Representatives. Alhamdulillah for a successful event. There were a lot of muslim and non-muslim participants today, including VIPs, such as our country's lady legislators. A lot of them were very curious about the hijab, and very eager to try one. Words arent enought to describe how we feel towards the success of the event, mashaAllah! It was overwhelming hearing their wonderful insights about wearing the hijab. Event was spearheaded by ANAK MINDANAO partylist representative, Congresswoman Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, who is also my co-WorldHijabDay ambassador. We thank her for making things possible, mashaAllah! JZK!

so, here are the photos! :)