Vanderbilt’s Muslim Students Association celebrated World Hijab Day in the Student Life Center Ballroom on Feb. 1 with an event that featured a student panel, hijab station and halal food. The event provided a platform for hijabi students to share their experiences, fostering dialogue and awareness within the campus community.
The celebration aimed to promote understanding and acceptance of the hijab, a traditional headscarf worn by Muslim women, according to MSA President Dua’a Faquih. Faquih is a Staff Writer for The Hustler.
A panel discussion at the event featured hijabi students who shared their experiences and perspectives on wearing the hijab. Junior Heeba Momen, a speaker on the panel, expressed pride for contributing to the event’s educational component.
“I found the World Hijab Day event very beautifully put together and insightful,” Momen said. “I know the hijab is a foreign concept for many non-Muslims (and even some Muslims) and having an educational section as well as a wonderful Q&A panel is a great way to share what the hijab really means.”
Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions to the panelists about the significance of the hijab in Muslim culture and its impact on personal identity.
“I believe events like World Hijab Day are crucial for promoting inclusivity and understanding on our campus,” sophomore Sarah Ahmed said. “It’s important for people to hear directly from hijabi students about their experiences and challenges they may face.”
The panelists addressed various aspects of wearing the hijab, including religious significance, cultural traditions and personal choice. In addition to the panel discussion, the event featured interactive activities, cultural displays and opportunities for attendees to try on hijabs and learn more about their significance.
First-year Warishah Zaidi, an MSA member, emphasized the importance of informing the Vanderbilt community about challenges that hijabis face.
“While living in a society that is often very harsh against those who don’t fit the norms, it is so incredibly important for us to hear and acknowledge the voices of our hijabi sisters,” Zaidi said. “Having the chance to hear a panel of my peers present their individual perspectives and experiences with the hijab was very informative for the overall Vanderbilt community, and I am grateful that they had an opportunity where they could do so comfortably.”
