World Hijab Day is an annual global event set up by New Yorker Nazma Khan in 2013 to fight prejudice and discrimination against Muslim women. It is marked by events in countries all over the world.

The organisers say the day promotes understanding, and bridge-building between communities.

At WIT in Waterford students have organised talks featuring local Muslim businesswoman, photographer Bara Alich; Muslim feminist and academic Dr. Rachel Woodlock and Stephanie Halon from United against Racism Ireland. It takes place on the Cork Road Campus at 10:15am.

This will be followed by a hijab display and opportunity to chat to local Muslim women who will have a stall in the main atrium. There will be an assortment of hijabs on display and the Muslim women will show anyone interested in trying on a hijab how to wear it and some of the different styles available. There will also be an Islamic exhibition giving further information on different aspects of Islam.

It’s the second World Hijab Day at WIT after a hugely successful event in 2017. This year’s event is being organised and run by two third year religious studies/theology students from the Bachelor of Arts degree – Sarah Syeda and Katiemarie Lynch.

Katiemarie Lynch disagrees with the suggestion that the Muslim headdress is a sign of oppression:

“For the women who actually wear the hijab, it’s the complete opposite for them. They feel more empowered when they wear it. They believe there’s more to them than just their face or their hair, they should be valued for their worth.”