International Purple Hijab Day

Last updated
International Purple Hijab Day
Observed byMuslims against domestic violence
TypeIslam
DateSecond Saturday in February
2021 dateFebruary 13  (2021-02-13)
2022 dateFebruary 12  (2022-02-12)
2023 dateFebruary 11  (2023-02-11)
2024 dateFebruary 10  (2024-02-10)
Frequencyannual
Related to Global Pink Hijab Day

International Purple Hijab Day (sometimes known as Global Hijab Day or International Purple Hijab and Kufi Day) is an international day of remembrance for those who have experienced domestic violence. It is observed on the second Saturday each February. It is most often celebrated by Muslims, with women donning a purple hijab, but anyone may participate by wearing a purple item of clothing on the day such as a scarf, tie or kufi. [1]

Contents

Background

Many people believe that violence against women is allowed by Islam. [2] The Baitul Salaam Network, a group that works with women who have faced domestic violence states that "one of the most ugly stereotypes is that Islam gives men the right to beat their wives." [3] The Voice of Libyan Women, an organization that started Purple Hijab Day for the first time in Libya, state that this is a terrible misinterpretation and a deliberate misuse of religion. [4] [5] Instead, they say that Islam teaches "Muslims not to harm others." [6] Sanaa Tariq, who organized an event in Edmonton, says that "Muslim women should not be regarded as oppressed" and that domestic violence is something that all groups of people care about. [7]

History

When Aasiya Zubair, a Muslim American co-founder of Bridges TV, was murdered by her husband, it came out that she had faced years of domestic violence from her husband. [8] Her murder "led to dramatic changes in the way Muslim communities address domestic violence," said Aasiya Hadayai Majeed, who works the Baitul Salaam Network. [9] Within days of Zubair's death, a grassroots effort began to speak out against domestic violence in the Muslim community. [10] Zubair was murdered on February 12, 2009, and so Purple Hijab Day takes place each year near the date she died to remember her and the domestic violence she suffered. [2] [8]

The first Purple Hijab Day was celebrated on February 13, 2010. [11] The color purple was chosen because the color purple "is associated with mourning." [11] People who promote Purple Hijab Day stress that the day is about symbolism, but that "acting in unity will send a strong message for progress in our communities." [12] The first year's events included workshops in Rhode Island, prayer vigils in Atlanta and a moment of silence. [13]

Events

Libya has celebrated by distributing a survey which could be taken anonymously and asked women about domestic violence. [14] The results of the survey were taken to the Libyan prime minister. [14]

Some groups, like the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland, chose to celebrate on a different day, Wednesday, and presented information and refreshments. [15]

In 2015, Purple Hijab Day used the hashtags, #EndViolenceAgainstWomen, #PurpleHijabDay and #MuslimLivesMatter to spread awareness of the day. [16]

Related Research Articles

Hijab Veil worn by some women

A hijab is a veil worn by certain Muslim women in the presence of any male outside of their immediate family or sometimes by men, which covers the head and chest. Another interpretation can also refer to the seclusion of women from men in the public sphere, whereas a metaphysical dimension, may refer to "the veil which separates man, or the world, from God".

Islam in Canada Religious community

Islam is the second largest religion in Canada. Muslims have lived in Canada since 1871 and the first mosque was established in 1938. Most Canadian Muslims are Sunni, while a significant minority are Shia and Ahmadiyya. There are a number of Islamic organizations and seminaries (madrasas). Opinion polls show most Muslims feel "very proud" to be Canadians, and attend mosque at least once a week.

Ingrid Mattson Canadian Islamic scholar

Ingrid Mattson, is a Muslim religious leader, a professor of Islamic Studies and an interfaith activist. She is the London and Windsor Community Chair in Islamic Studies at Huron University College at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada. Mattson is a former president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and was described as "Perhaps the most noticed figure among American Muslim women" in a 2010 New York Times article.

Baitul Futuh Mosque

The Baitul Futuh is a mosque complex of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, situated in Morden, London. It is one of the largest mosques in Western Europe. Completed in 2003 at a cost of £15 million, entirely from donations of Ahmadi Muslims, the full complex accommodates 13,000 people. The main mosque has a height of 23m above ground, and to maximise capacity the building extends below ground. Baitul Futuh is located in the south-west London suburb London Borough of Merton. It is situated next to Morden South railway station, 0.4 miles from Morden Underground station and one mile from Morden Road tram stop.

Women in Islam Womens role, status, and history in Islam

The experiences of Muslim women vary widely between and within different societies. At the same time, their adherence to Islam is a shared factor that affects their lives to a varying degree and gives them a common identity that may serve to bridge the wide cultural, social, and economic differences between them.

Islam and domestic violence Islam and domestic violence

The relationship between Islam and domestic violence is disputed. Even among Muslims, the uses and interpretations of Sharia, the moral code and religious law of Islam, lack consensus. Variations in interpretation are due to different schools of Islamic jurisprudence, histories and politics of religious institutions, conversions, reforms, and education.

Bridges TV was a Muslim television network in the United States. It was originally headquartered in Buffalo, New York. Premiering nationally in November 15, 2004, it was the first American Muslim television network to broadcast in the English language. The channel ceased operations March 15, 2012.

Muzzammil Syed Hassan, also known as Mo Steve Hassan, is a Pakistani-American, and former CEO of Bridges TV. Bridges TV was the first American Muslim television network broadcast in English. He resigned from the position in February 2009.

Aasiya Zubair, also known as Aasiya Hassan was with her husband Muzzammil Hassan, the founder and owner of Bridges TV, the first American Muslim English-language television network. In February 2009, she was found dead, beheaded, at the Bridges TV station after her estranged husband turned himself in to a police station and was charged with second-degree murder.

Hijab by country Main article for Hijab

The word hijab refers to both the head-covering traditionally worn by many Muslim women and to the concept of modesty in Islam generally. Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Iran are the only countries where the hijab is compulsory.

Global Pink Hijab Day Wikimedia list article

Global Pink Hijab Day was an initiative that began as an experiment by founder, Hend El-Buri and a group of high school students in Columbia, Missouri. It was intended to remove stereotypes of Muslim women by having Muslims engage in dialogue about breast cancer awareness, joining walks in groups while wearing pink headscarves, and holding other events promoting awareness and support for the cause. Global Pink Hijab Day was last celebrated in 2011.

Several honor killings have been documented in the United States in recent years. As of 2012 there is no central agency that collects data across all jurisdictions in regards to honor violence in the United States. There is reluctance among some organizations to label events as honor killings to avoid stigmatizing Muslim and Arab cultures.

World Hijab Day

World Hijab Day is an annual event founded by Nazma Khan in 2013, taking place on 1 February each year in 140 countries worldwide. Its stated purpose is to encourage women of all religions and backgrounds to wear and experience the hijab for a day and to educate and spread awareness on why hijab is worn.

Women in the Arab Spring

Women played a variety of roles in the Arab Spring, but its impact on women and their rights is unclear. The Arab Spring was a series of demonstrations, protests, and civil wars against authoritarian regimes that started in Tunisia and spread to much of the Arab world. The leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen were overthrown; Bahrain has experienced sustained civil disorder, and the protests in Syria have become a civil war. Other Arab countries experienced protests as well.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Bangladeshi Islamic advocacy group

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh is an Islamic Advocacy group of madrassah teachers and students. In 2013, it submitted to the government of Bangladesh a 13-point charter, which included the demand for the enactment of a blasphemy law.

Alaa Murabit Canadian physician; womens rights and youth activist

Alaa Murabit is a Libyan-Canadian physician, Meritorious Service Cross recipient, one of 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals Advocates appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and a UN High-Level Commissioner on Health Employment and Economic growth. In 2019 Murabit was selected as one of the Top 20 of the World's 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy alongside Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Melinda Gates, and Michelle Obama. Murabit is the co-founder of The Omnis Institute, an independent non-profit organization that aims to work on critical global issues through the empowerment of emerging local leaders. She previously founded and spearheaded Voice of Libyan Women at the age of 21.

The Voice of Libyan Women (VLW) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in order to advance and protect women's rights in Libya. VLW is headquartered in Tripoli and has branch offices in Zawia and Misrata. VLW is still very much a youth-led organization which continues to advocate for women's development and to challenge the prevailing norms of Libyan society. VLW works to spread information at a national level by creating local teams made up both of individuals and organizations.

Yasmine Mohammed Canadian human rights activist and author

Yasmine Mohammed is an ex-Muslim Canadian university instructor, human rights activist and author who is critical of Islam. Mohammed, who escaped a forced, abusive marriage to an Al-Qaeda operative, became an advocate for women's rights through her non-profit organization Free Hearts, Free Minds. She is a member of the Center for Inquiry Speaker's Bureau and on the board of advisory for the Brighter Brains Institute.

References

  1. ↑ Majeed, Hadayai (12 February 2013). "The Origin of the International Purple Hijab Day". Project Sakinah. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 Musaji, Sheila (13 November 2012). "Honor Killing: Deaths Should Be an Interfaith Call To Action". The American Muslim. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "International Purple Hijab and Kufi Day 2014 Baitul Salaam Network, Inc. Standing in Global Soldarity!". Baitul Salaam Network International. 23 December 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  4. ↑ Murabit, Alaa (14 March 2013). "In Libya, Islam - and a Purple Hijab - Help Spurn Domestic Violence Against Women". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  5. ↑ "International Purple Hijab Day - Muslim Women in Libya Help Spurn Domestic Violence". Global Women's Empowerment Network. 18 March 2013. Archived from the original on 13 December 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "International Purple Hijab Day Against Domestic Violence". Saudi Gazette. 13 February 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  7. ↑ "Purple Hijab Day in US and UK". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Women Across World Denounce Domestic Violence on 'Purple Hijab Day'". Ummid. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  9. ↑ Tan, Sandra (13 February 2010). "Zubair Hassan is Remembered". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 23 August 2015– via Newspaper Source - EBSCOhost.
  10. ↑ Ali, Wajahat (12 February 2010). "Remembering Aasiya Zubair". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  11. 1 2 Majeed, Hadayai (January 2010). "The Official Press Release for Purple Hijab Day". Muslimas Oasis. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  12. ↑ "Global Wear Purple Hijab Day". Healthy Families Initiative. 5 January 2010. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  13. ↑ "Devoted Muslim Activist Join International Purple Hijab Day Event". MANA. 13 February 2010. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  14. 1 2 "International Purple Hijab Day". The Voice of Libyan Women. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  15. ↑ "International Purple Hijab Day at the ICCI". Islam Ireland. 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  16. ↑ Sisisahah (13 February 2015). "#EndViolenceAgainstWomen - International Purple Hijab Day". Mindworks Publishing. Retrieved 23 August 2015.

See also

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.