What does Islamophobia, Breast cancer and Hijab have in common?
Everyone knows that Muslims, especially those living in North American and European countries have faced a lot of discrimination after the events of 9/11. Muslim women for example have constantly been criticized in the media and elsewhere about the Hijab and their Islamic lifestyles in general. While Muslims have reacted and responded to such discrimination in many ways, the Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) decided to take a different approach on October 26th, 2007.
The Canadian Islamic Congress organized an event called the “National Pink Hijab Day” and gave away pink hijabs to Muslim as well as non-Muslim women to raise awareness of breast cancer and to raise funds for the “Susan G. Komen for the Cure” Foundation. This foundation’s is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. CIC’s organizers’ objective was to raise the awareness of Islamophobia, discrimination that Muslim women face in covering their heads and hair using the Hijab along with supporting the cause of breast cancer that organizers hoped will garner wider support and awareness of all issues.
A good idea or not?
The question does come up whether this sets a good precedent for such causes or does it hurt the cause of Islam and Hijab even more? CIC seems to be very happy with the turnout of people on October 26th, 2007. However, there are many who do raise the question that mixing the issues of disease with unrelated religious matters may actually turnoff even those who have no biases against Islam, Hijab or any Muslim issues.
Your comments are welcome !
November 13th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
The issue at stake is no how others concieve an idea (whether good or bad), but rather whether the idea conforms with Islamic teachings or not. Helping raise money for cure of breast cancer is a noble idea but correlating it with Hijab to raise awareness may look deceitfuf in the eyes of many.
November 13th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
asalam aleykum,
breast cancer is associated with women all over the world regardless of their religion or race.i think it was a noble idea to inco-oporate the hijab.thanks!
November 14th, 2007 at 6:08 am
Assalam O Alekum
I think there is no need to corelate a religious issue with a medical issue, which is a point
concern for any woman in the world regardless of religion. If the objective behind distributing
hijab’s among the participants is to make dawat towards islam along with raising funds than it
might be okay but still it put’s a big question mark on the correlation of hijab with fund
raising occassion for breast cancer.
November 15th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Very nice idea. Also need to tell why Allah asks women to take Hijab or cover their body. They can be more safe to Skin cancer and others with Islamic restriction (natural).
November 24th, 2007 at 12:53 am
I think the Islamic hijab is so sweet, when i look at some my friends using veil or hijab, for example, i feel comfortable. But, today, when i look around my hometown, i feel so hurt, why…? coz, more and more of islamic women are wearing hijab but at the same time wearing clothes that are pressed against their bodies - tight clothing. defeats the purpose of hijab. hijab is not about covering your hair only but to protect your awrah…
January 8th, 2008 at 8:59 am
I thik it would have been a good idea if they wore hijab and had a pin that said “The fight for Breast cancer,affecting WOMAN of all types and religions”
Then the danger of it looking decietful would be demolished.
January 8th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
what a noble idea!
January 26th, 2008 at 9:21 am
assalam aleykum all my brothers and sisters,hijab is awonderful thing but hijab is not aheadscarf but afull clothing to hide awrah so my dear sister dont only cover ur hair but the whole body apart from the face.may Allah (s.w)help as all.
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Yes, good idea but the ignorant will get the wrong impression and see it as being deceitful. The Pin idea is good so you are sending two messages, 1 being that this type of sickness affects all and 2 that no one should judge another i.e. respect all religions like Allah says in the quraan surah Al-Kafiroon
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Say: O disbelievers! (1) I worship not that which ye worship; (2) Nor worship ye that which I worship. (3) And I shall not worship that which ye worship. (4) Nor will ye worship that which I worship. (5) Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion. (6).
So from me all I can say is that follow the request made by the Almighty and wear your hijab as was requested in the quraan for that is a womans own struggle (jihaad) that she has to face..inshallah Allah strenghten our Imaan and make us steadfast in our deen. Ameen.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Assalamu O Alekum
At any moment and by any means The words of Allah should be the highest of all, and using these words inviting any one to do so is a very great idea. Because islam is for any one on the world(no matter whether they belive or not). So the idea you have is very much noble than any other. Jezakum-Allah khier.