A group of Muslim women are challenging the stereotypes associated with their religion through conversation. Over the weekend, they held a Hijab Day event to discuss the religious headscarf worn by many women of Islamic faith
More than two dozen women of various faiths were at the Fort Myers Regional Library on Saturday to discuss religion with members of the Muslim Women’s Council of Southwest Florida.
Councilmember Zaynab Bakir said events like Hijab Day create a safe space to demystify the Muslim religion.
"It is an excellent opportunity to meet your neighbor—your muslim neighbor—and get to ask them all the questions you’ve wanted to ask, but were too embarrassed to ask," Bakir said.
Hijab Day is celebrated internationally on Feb. 1, but the founder of the Muslim Women’s Council of SWFL, Lubna Alam, wants to continue the conversation surrounding the religious headscarf, year round. She regularly gives talks at churches and other public venues upon request.
"The Hijab Day and any event that I do is organized around that: to remove the stigma, to build a connection, to build relationships that’s what its all about," Alam said.
Alam said the council is finalizing plans to host a Hijab Day in Port Charlotte.
