THESE young Muslims went out of their comfort zones last month.
For the first time, the Chosen Youth for Change (CYC) held the World Hijab Day (WHB) at a non-Muslim area.
“I really, really, enjoyed this day,” CYC President Nursophier Ingoh said. “It is our first time to celebrate it outside [our comfort zone and] especially here in a non-Muslim area.”
The WHD is an annual event founded in 2013 by Nazma Khan, a New York resident who was renowned for her advocacy of fostering religious tolerance. The event takes place on February 1 each year in 140 countries, majority Islamic nations, worldwide.
The event seeks to encourage women of all religion and background to wear and experience the hijab, or headscarf.
The WHD “gives empowerment to all women around the world, especially those being oppressed,” Isnihaya Binumbaran said on WHD, which marks the first day of February. “But they [should realize] they are not oppressed at all. They [women] are free to voice out whatever they want.”
Binumbaran was one of the officers of CYC who led the 3-hour celebration of the WHD at a ritzy park in the heart of Makati City’s commercial and business district.
Opportunity
LAST February 1, CYC members and students of the Al-Mustafa Institute of Islamic Education (AIIE) grouped themselves into three and given specific tasks.
The first group interviewed non-Muslim encouraged women to wear a hijab (headscarf) or abaya. The latter is a long robe or cloak that covers the entire body of a woman and usually worn over casual clothing.
The second group distributed fliers while the third group designed the venue at the Legazpi Active Park in San Lorenzo Street, Makati City.
According to AIIE Assistant Finance Manager Abduljal Aradani, he was surprised to see the young Muslims.
“I think this is a great opportunity for the Muslim Ummah to spread Islam in a proper way, especially with this situation around the world, particularly in America where there are lots of problems with the Muslims there,” Aradani said. “This is an opportunity for Muslim Filipinos to spread Islam in a positive way and to educate people of our way of life.”
Impressed
ARADANI added he was impressed with the young Muslims who were able to hold such an activity at “an excellent park in Metro Manila.”
“I’m so impressed because [you were able to propagate] Islam to non-Muslims in this kind of city where different kinds of people reside here and those ladies who want to wear hijab who welcomed you warmly.”
Another CYC officer, Baimot Lakman, said she was happy because non-Muslim women “responded to us positively and they participated in this affair.”
She said they welcomed the feedback and comments as these “also inspired us to do this activity again and again to establish unity among Muslims and non-Muslims.”
CYC officials credit the low turnout to the absence of individuals directly involved in the event. These key people were still having their respective classes at the IIE that day.
On other hand, Lakman said the low turnout may also be because “it’s unusual for [people] to see Muslims conducting activities in such a kind of place.”
Despite the low turnout, CYC officials deemed the WHD celebration a success. They credit such success to the support of the AIIE Administration and the Makati Commercial Estate Association Inc.