IUCG marks World Hijab Day

The Islamic University College of Ghana (IUCG) on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World Hijab Day (WHD).

The WHD is marked on February 1, each year since its inception in 2013 to, among other things, raise awareness on significance of Hijab, counter religious prejudice and hate, and encourage women of all religions and backgrounds to wear and experience Hijab.

Touching on the significance of Hijab in his welcome address, Dr. Mohsen Maarefi, President of IUCG, noted that the Hijab is not just a piece of cloth to be worn, it is rather “a religious costume that symbolises modesty and chastity in our society".

On the notion that wearing the hijab is against the freedom of the Muslim woman, Dr. Maarefi observed, “on the contrary, the Hijab is an empowering garment that seeks to give the Muslim woman an identity based on dignity”.

In her presentation, Madam Suraiya Abdallah highlighted the importance of wearing Hijab. She declared that Hijab teaches the Muslim woman self-control and chaste.

The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisah Djaba, in a statement read on her behalf asserted that government is working hard to ensure that Ghanaian women are fully involved in the economic and political spheres of the economy. According to her, women empowerment involves “the creation of environment where women can make decisions on their own, for their personal benefit as well as that of the society".

The Dean of Students, Dr. Hussein I. Ibrahim on his part bemoaned the rise of Hijabophonian which portrays women in Hijab negatively. According to him, this attitude serves as a breeding ground for intolerance, discrimination and hate. To help curb the menace, “there is the need for such events to be organised to educate participants on what Hijab stands for” he underscored.

The event

The ceremony, marked with lecture and exhibition sessions, was organized by the Women’s Affairs Office in collaboration with the Women’s Commission Office of the Student Representative Council of the Islamic University College, Ghana. It was dubbed: "Hijab My Identity, My Pride". It attracted both Muslims and non-Muslim student participants.