Muslim Women Australia (MWA) was proud to facilitate an exciting new program ‘Reflecting Hijab’, a workshop on Tuesday 5 July 2022 which aimed to help young Muslim women reconnect with Hijab and Modesty within an Islamic framework.
MWA invited young women aged between twelve and twenty-five to participate in an interactive forum filled with activities and discussions.
Through discussion with MWA’s Youth Advisory Committee, there was a greater understanding of what the Hijab meant for young girls, and that although they knew the hijab was a requirement of their faith, they did not have a clear understanding of its significance.
Reflecting Hijab began with an interactive presentation that allowed participants to share their thoughts and submit questions to the panel speakers.
Dr Ghena Krayem, Associate Professor at the University of Sydney and regular commentator on the Muslim community in Australia, provided an Islamic perspective on the Hijab and reflected on personal experiences as a lawyer wearing the Hijab.
Dr Krayem was able to gauge the interest of the young people by being honest and transparent, allowing opportunity for questions concerning wearing the Hijab and answering them in a way that allowed for careful reflection and instilling hope in their hearts.
The workshop then continued with age-appropriate activities. Girls aged twelve to seventeen years were provided role play scenarios based on potential experiences that they may encounter at school and in everyday life. They presented and performed the scenarios and included how they would respond in that situation.
The second group was made up of young people in the eighteen-to-twenty-five-year range. They engaged in meaningful discussions around their experiences of the hijab in a safe and supportive space.
The insights that were shared and the discussions that the young people had echoed our aim for Reflecting Hijab and really highlighted the importance of fostering community engagement and creating a sisterhood for young Muslim women.
The last interactive session for Reflecting Hijab was light and enjoyable for all. Participants assembled their own travel pin cushions, putting it together and decorating it to their liking.
MWA aimed for the content of Reflecting Hijab to leave a mark on the hearts of those who attended. To remind them of their personal journey, participants were gifted a sentimental bag that included a Reflecting Hijab Booklet curated by MWA, as well as other goodies.
As the final activity of the night, participants were asked to write a letter to their future self, outlining what their modesty goals are and how they expected to achieve it. MWA would then post this letter out in six months’ time to encourage them to reflect on their view of the Hijab, and how they are tracking with their own personal goals and modesty journey.
The need for a workshop such as the Reflecting Hijab was prominent throughout the night. Providing a space to young Muslim women to discuss topics around modesty while strengthening their relationship with the Hijab and Allah allowed attendees to leave Reflecting Hijab with their hearts feeling full.
Great work!
Amazing to see this in our community. Hope to see more work being done like this
MashaAllah! Love to see it!
Salams
Your efforts in relation to ‘hijab’ are so paramount , not just for the wider community , but primarily for the you Muslim sisters .
We are not judgemental , however what we are seeing out there is Wallahi ALARMING and concerning.
To see you and the organisers doing something about it is a very big blessing .
May Allah swt have mercy on us all and accept your efforts