Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 01-02-2017

February 1st, marks the first annual World Hijab Day in recognition of millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab or the scarf and live a life of modesty.

Events are being held across the world celebrating a women’s right to choose what she wears, and promoting tolerance and respect for the personal and religious beliefs of others.

Campaigners behind World Hijab Day are urging non-Muslims to wear the Islamic headscarf to show solidarity and help fight ‘bigotry, discrimination, and prejudice’.

Radio Islam spoke to some women about wearing of the niqab and scarf.

Sister Ammara said: “Wearing the scarf for me means, it shows modesty in Islam. I’ve been wearing it for so long, it’s actually become a part of who I am.”

Sister Faheema Patel says being in niqab liberates her.

“Wearing the niqab means I am woman that is liberated, I found my freedom and it gives me the power to do anything, any woman or any other man can do.”

Sister Ayesha Khan says wearing the scarf is important to her as it protects her modesty.

Austria this week became the latest European country to ban the full-face veil in public places, following the likes of Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and France.

At the same time the ministry of education in the Maldives has sacked a Qur’an teacher because she refused to take off her niqab, or full-face veil, for work.

Thahmeena Mahmoud was sacked on Monday from her job at the Alif Alif Atoll Education Centre after the school repeatedly warned her to remove her niqab.

The ministry says the niqab is banned under a Civil Service Commission guideline that states civil servants “must be dressed in a manner that makes them easily identifiable.