NASFAT urges Parents to always encourage their children to use Hijab
Fausiat Salako-Sanni February 5, 2023
Public criticism, home front criticism, peer group influence/exposure, poverty, shyness are among the factors that have been identified as challenges of using Hijab.
This was analysed today, Sunday 5th February at a lecture and children programme organised by the NASFAT women affairs committee in conjunction with the youth wing arm of the society at Alausa, Ikeja as delivered by the General Financial Secretary of Muslims Right Concern, MURIC, Hajia Abati Qoribat Mojisola on the topic, “Challenges of using Hijab, solutions to it”.
Hajia Abati emphasised that Hijab usage is “Fard” that is, it’s obligatory for every Muslim female all over the world. So, parents should make it a duty to always encourage and allow their daughters whose level of Iman (faith) is grounded in the concept of hijab. Among other things, the hijab brings believers together as Muslims. It’s the identity of every Muslim female as stated in the glorious Qur’an. Female Muslims are directed to lower their gaze and cover themselves well except for some parts of the body that can be left opened.
According to her, the major solutions to overcome the challenges enumerated above are that, Muslim women, the believing women should stand on their feet and ensure that they are knowledgeable and believe in what they are putting on, and if they’re faced with any form of harassment or threat from any individual or establishment be it public/private, advocacy organisations on ground should be contacted.
She added that, they should endeavour to avoid physical or confrontational response that could trigger pandemonium, rather such advances/complaints should be reported to the Islamic advocacy bodies that are on ground fighting this cause.
“Most importantly, from the home front, we, parents should encourage our daughters to embrace the use of hijab, by calling their attention to this with mild, calming and loving approach for these children to be able to comprehend well the essence of the hijab and its usage, that this hijab is one of the injunctions of Allah for every Muslim female both young and old to obey.”
It would be recalled that, the World Hijab Day which that has become an annual event was founded and launched as World Hijab Day (WHD) by Nazma Khan a Bangladeshi-American in 2013 and always take place on every 1st of February each year in about 140 countries worldwide. Its stated purpose is to encourage women of all religions and backgrounds to wear and experience the hijab and to educate and spread awareness on why hijab is worn.
Nazma Khan aim was “to raise awareness and normalize the wearing of a hijab.” Khan added that she launched the day hoping to “foster religious tolerance” given her personal experiences of facing “discrimination and bullying in school and university by being spat on, chased, kicked and called a “terrorist”.” This way, other women would not have the same experiences as “she had to endure.”
The WHD is officially recognised hence, its annual commemoration. In 2017 New York State recognized World Hijab Day, and an event marking the day was hosted at the House of Commons, which was attended by Theresa May (former UK Prime Minister).
Also in 2021 the House of Representatives of the Philippines approved February 1st as “annual national hijab day” to promote an understanding of the Muslim tradition.
Subsequently, the World Hijab Day, WHD has been an annual international day of creating awareness and campaigning for the importance of using Hijab.
In Nigeria every year Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih society NASFAT and other religious bodies like FOMWAN, AL-MUMINAAT, Hijab Advocacy group, collaborate to commemorate this day.
In her speech at the occasion, the Nasfat National Women Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Suwebat Bola Kupolati explained the significance of the event especially for the young Muslimahs, who will grow to become young adults and subsequently mothers. It’s of great essence to keep them enlightened every time in reawakening their faith which needs to be nurtured so as not to go astray.
“Today, NASFAT in continuation of marking this year’s world hijab day which was on February 1st, is celebrating the children and enlightening them on the purpose of using hijab.
“As it’s tradition, every year the NASFAT women join other Muslim women across the world to commemorate the day. It’s an important day that reminds us of the benefits of wearing hijab and what’s going to be the likely effect(s) with refusal to following this injunction of Allah.”
“The value of wearing hijab is great, it can’t be underestimated and there’s need to take the bull by the horn and make it a point of duty as stakeholders in the society to always encourage, remind and guide our female children to obey this divine directive from the Almighty Creator.” The Qur’an is to safeguard women from dishonour, social misfit etc so there’s so much reward in obeying Allah’s injunctions and the use of hijab is one of those injunctions. “
She however, implored all stakeholders to also encourage and help those who haven’t started using hijab to understand well the reasons for it and take it gently on them if they don’t wear it well or they don’t wear it at all, as the correctional process should be gradual and cordial.”
The National Children’s Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Maryam Funmilayo Onifade emphasised on the theme for this year, that hijab is for Progression and not Oppression. Therefore, every Muslim female wearing hijab is only showing obedience to her Creator, so this should be respected.
She said the reason for the event is to further bring the hijab campaign to the children on Sunday Asalatu, where the children always converge, meet and interact since the WHD was on a weekday. So, this is to give the children support and encourage them to always adorn themselves with hijab being Muslims.
The Chairperson of programme for this year, the National Ameerah of NASFAT youth wing, Hajia Kafayat Oyewo-Oyelere gave the run down of the activities for the event among which was quiz competition for the children, interaction with the children by mothers on their academic and religious education.
Some of the children who participated in the games and won gifts, spoke with Lasilkiin.com correspondent at the occasion as they expressed their joy and appreciation to the organisers while they said they learnt a lot about the importance of using hijab as Muslimahs.
The high point of the the event was the presentation of customised NASFAT hijab to winners among the participants in the competition and games activities in marking the 2023 World Hijab Day as organised by Nasfat Women affairs committee in collaboration with the youth wing of the society.
