Islamic University College Marks World Hijab Day

The Islamic University College of Ghana (IUCG) has joined the rest of the world to commemorate the World Hijab Day (WHD), to raise awareness on its significance.

The celebration of the Day, which started in 2013 in addition to awareness creation, also counter religious prejudice and hate, as well as encourages women of all religions and backgrounds to wear and experience Hijab.

The Day was on the theme: "Hijab My Identity, My Pride".

In his welcome address, Dr. Mohsen Maarefi, President of IUCG, noted that: 'the Hijab is not just a piece of cloth to be worn; it is rather a religious costume that symbolises modesty and chastity in our society."

On the notion that wearing Hijab is against the freedom of Muslim women, he said: 'On the contrary, the Hijab is an empowering garment that seeks to give the Muslim woman an identity based on dignity.'

Madam Suraiya Abdallah highlighted the importance of wearing Hijab, saying: 'Hijab teaches the Muslim woman self-control and chaste.'

The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Madam Otiko Afisah Djaba, in a statement read on her behalf, said government was working hard to ensure that Ghanaian women were fully involved in the economic and political spheres of the economy.

She noted that women empowerment involved: 'the creation of environment where women can make decisions on their own, for their personal benefit as well as that for the society."

The Dean of Students, Dr Hussein I. Ibrahim, on his part bemoaned what he described as the rise of Hijabophonian, which portrays women in Hijab negatively.

That attitude served as a breeding ground for intolerance, discrimination and hate, he said, to help curb the menace: 'there is the need for such events to be organised to educate participants on what Hijab stands for.'

The ceremony was marked with lecture and exhibition sessions, which was organised by the Women's Affairs Office in collaboration with the Women's Commission Office of the Students Representative Council of the University College.

GNA
By Samira Larbie, GNA