Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

My Islamic Life

Home
Muslim
National Muslim Women Day; Hijab

National Muslim Women Day; Hijab

Last updated on: April 1, 2017 at 3:43 pm by Kristina ElSayed

National Muslim Women Day; Hijab 2017-04-01T15:43:40-04:00 Kristina ElSayed

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Lately my daughter has been asking to go shopping for hijabs. Its on her mind. Every time we’ve left to go on a trip for college searches or science Olympiad, she asks, “Is that the city with the cool hijab store?” She’s remembering the shop in Bridgeview. Al Omari Islamic Fashions. Pea remembers 5 years ago, we went to this shop, we were warmly welcomed, they had an abundance of abaya and hijab and the women were so helpful and kind.

She has been asking to return to that shop.

This morning she commented that she wishes that she could wear hijab and short sleeves. I mentioned that I’ve seen Malaysian women wearing short sleeves with hijab, but that doesn’t compute with her. She is sorting out the details. Looking at what makes sense in her mind and to Pea, if your arms aren’t part of your private area, why should your hair be?

Muslim women are all over my FB newsfeed these days. Last week was National Muslim Women’s Day. I had no idea it was happening prior to being alerted to a twitter post where Dilshad Ali tagged me in a shout out.

Shoutouts to my own @PatheosMuslim, where Muslim Women have been sharing their stories for years. And <3 to @AltMuslimah. #MuslimWomensDay pic.twitter.com/8TzgkdasPp

— Dilshad D. Ali (@DilshadDAli) March 27, 2017

Then, there was a discussion about being inclusive of all Muslim women, even those who don’t wear conservative level hijab. Major stars and news outlets supported Muslim Women this week, if you didn’t see it; there is a compilation over on FB at Muslim Girl.

Nike revealed an athletic hijab this month. “The Nike Pro Hijab has been a year in the making, but its impetus can be traced much further back to Nike’s founding mission, to serve athletes, with the signature addendum: If you have a body, you’re an athlete.”

https://twitter.com/Nike/status/839490944802127872

I’ve heard the outcry shaming Nike of taking the spotlight away from Muslim sportswear companies who have been making these garments for years. In my opinion, the quality of Nike’s construction is far above anything I’ve come in contact with from other sportswear companies. I’m thrilled that Nike has jumped on board. I’m thrilled every time a mainstream company includes Muslims.

This week, Shonda Rhimes and Ellen Pompeo included a hijabi nurse in the cast of Grey’s Anatomy. (Season 13; Episode 18) She wasn’t part of the storyline, but she was there in the background.

Screen Shots of GA S13.E18

An extra.

Doing regular stuff.

Not being burned by acid.

Not FGM.

Not domestic violence.

Not being a terrorist.

Being A Nurse.

Wearing Hijab.

Just like normal, every day life; professional women wearing hijab, living their lives and doing their business. Writing Books. Teaching. Creating Art. Making Music. A Chef. An Actress. An Olympiad. Entrepreneurs. Changing the World.

I get excited when I see hijabi women on the television because the more people are exposed to positive images of Muslims in the media, the more that image will be normalized. It’s a process. Growth is a good thing.

Blog Signature

Previous Post

March 11, 2017

This Weekend's Featured author on AltMuslim

Next Post

May 26, 2017 The Wudu Cling On Sale during Ramadan

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Beyond Etsy Blog Posts Books Educational Gadgets Hijabs In the House Jewelry On Etsy Personal Ramadan Reader Questions Reader Response Recipes Resources Uncategorized Videos

Select a Month April 2020 January 2020 September 2019 March 2019 December 2018 September 2018 June 2018 May 2018 March 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

James says that trials of many kinds test what, producing perseverance?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Your patience Your love Your faith Your character