Religious Studies students at Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form have used World Hijab Day as an opportunity to learn more about the principles behind wearing the veil.
Religious Studies students at Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form have used World Hijab Day as an opportunity to learn more about the principles behind wearing the veil.
Religious Studies is a new A Level at Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form which aims to challenge a student’s perceptions on the world’s religions and encourage understanding between them.
World Hijab Day is the creation of New Yorker Nazma Khan, who wanted to encourage non-Muslim women (or even Muslim women who do not ordinarily wear one) to wear the hijab for a day and experience what it’s like to do so, with the intention of creating a society of greater understanding.
Friday 1st February was World Hijab Day and Religious Studies tutor Akbar Karim asked if students would like to take part. 3 non-Muslim students, Ashley Burke, Ava Penny and Rebekka Gaiger took the tutor up on the challenge, and wore the hijab all day to see what it was like to wear the hijab, and to get a feeling of the challenges faced by Muslim girls who chose to wear one full time.
Religious Studies tutor Akbar Karim said, “Religious Studies is a new A Level course at Nelson and Colne this year and has been designed to embrace all areas of religion, ethics and philosophy. Recently, students took part in “World Hijab day” which looks at giving non-Muslim girls the opportunity to develop an understanding of the culture and day-to-day issues involving with wearing the Hijab. I am proud to say that the RS group this year have embraced the chance to learn and appreciate one another, regardless of religion and race. Three non -Muslim students donned the Hijab for a day to see and feel exactly what it is like for Muslim students. Their experiences were then shared with the class and were warmly received. I hope to offer a number of other inter-faith opportunities for all RS students in order to promote a positive community at Nelson and Colne College and develop links between communities.”
Source Link: http://www.nelson.ac.uk/index.php/news/182/116/Students-take-up-the-challenge-on-World-Hijab-Day