Cross-section of Muslim womem at the event |
With some countries considering banning the Hijab, the 2017 World Hijab Day took a new dimension with Muslim women taking to the streets across the globe to kick against such moves.
In Ondo State, women across the eighteen local government areas of the state, converged on Akure, to commemorate the event with a view to educating the masses about the origin and reasons for the Hijab.
Wife of the Deputy Governor at the event, Alhaja Fatima Oluboyo while speaking siad the day since its inception in 2013 has been in recognition of millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the Hijab and lead a life of modesty.
She charged parents to take renewed interest in the moral upbringing of their children even as she urged that the best Hijab is one that reflects ones appearance and character.
President, Federation of Muslim Women Associarions of Nigeria (FOMWAN), in the state, Alhaja Amina Akinpelu, the world Hijab day is an open invitation to both Muslims and non Muslims to experience the Hijab at least for 24 hours every first day of February with the hope that the transition from a 1 day commitment will translate to a lifetime experience.
The guest lecturer, Alhaja Sherifat Musa, while expressing optimism that Hijab will soon be the global symbol of modesty called for end to all forms of discrimination, intimidation and persecution of women in Hijab, adding that the right to appear in Hijab is principally a fulfilment of the human right of women.
There were goodwill messages from the Chief Imam of Akure, Sheikh Abdulhakeem Akorede, Chairman Muslim Comkunity, Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure, Prof. Ishaq Amoo as well as representatives of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) were also delivered at the gathering.
Earlier, the 2017 World Hijab awareness rally kicked off at the Akure Central Mosque along the ever busy Oba Adesida road through Arakale before culminating at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) press centre.
Muslims students from primary and secondary schools were in attendance as prizes were awarded to the first three schools that came early as well as Hijab presentation to the schools that participated in the celebration to encourage them more on the wearing and use of Hijab.
Cross-section of students |
FOMWAN President, Akinpelu presenting a gift to a student |
L – R: Akinpelu, Mrs Okoro, Mrs Oluboyo, Mrs Aliu |
Guest Lecturer, Mrs Musa (R) |