Kudirat Salam-Alada, Sadr Lajna Imaillah Ottawa West, Canada
Lajna Imaillah Ottawa West, Canada, joined women worldwide in commemorating World Hijab Day by hosting an interactive Hijab Awareness Stall at a local community library in Ottawa. The event’s purpose was to create a welcoming space where women could explore the significance of the hijab, ask questions freely and experience hijab firsthand.
Women stopped by after seeing our poster, drawn in by its message and the image of the hijab as a symbol of spiritual strength. They browsed our Quran and Islamic literature display, which offered insights into modesty, spirituality and women’s rights in Islam. Some guests also visited the henna corner, where they received beautiful henna designs on their hands.
At the hijab table, many women tried on a hijab for the very first time. Some posed for photos, others lingered in thoughtful silence and a few chose to take a hijab home as a gesture of solidarity and appreciation. Throughout the day, countless participants expressed their admiration for the courage, meaning and dignity embodied in the practice of wearing the hijab, choosing to wear one themselves in support of Muslim women.
Among them were Lydia and Ivana of Bosnian origin. They wore their hijabs with a shared sense of pride, speaking openly about the emotional connection it evoked for them. Moved by the experience, they planned to keep their hijabs on for the rest of the day. We were also joined by Sarah, a retired librarian and dedicated volunteer. She spent time with us sharing stories from her years of service with immigrants and people of diverse faith backgrounds.
The most personalised and hijab-related questions posed to us were, “Do you wear the hijab at home?”, “Do all Muslim women wear it the same way?” and “Is it cultural or religious?”
We made it clear to all our visitors that the hijab is a Quranic injunction rooted in modesty.
World Hijab Day provided a meaningful opportunity to connect with our neighbours, dispel misconceptions and celebrate the beauty of modesty. The hijab is a simple piece of cloth, yet it carries profound spiritual significance for Muslim women who wear it in obedience to the Holy Quran.