hijabEveryone 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 !