The Women affairs arm of the Shamsi Adisa Thomas (S.A.T) mosque, Ikeja, Lagos, joined other religious organisations across the world to mark the 2022 World Hijab Day.
The event which took place on Tuesday, February 1st at the Olanike Hall of the mosque featured soul-inspiring lectures, free distribution of hijabs and scintillating performances from participating schools.
Hijab: The Ordained Pearl – Sheikh Salman
Speaking on the theme; Hijab: The Ordained Pearl, the Mudeer of Madrasatu Sohwatul Islamiyyah, Sheikh Sa’eed Salman emphasised the position of hijab in Islam as a commandment of Allah.
Addressing the guests who graced the maiden edition of the World Hijab Day event organised by the mosque, he said “The use of hijab is compulsory on all believing women as ordained by Allah.”
According to him, “Just as He (Allah) has made solah, fasting and other acts as worship, the hijab too is a legislation that must be obeyed. Adorning the hijab attracts reward from Allah and otherwise. Whoever says it is not compulsory should check their iman.
“As it has been ordained, the hijab must meet some requirements. It must cover the nakedness and whole body of the woman; the face and the palms can be left, not reveal her shape or inner part, not tight-fitted, and not be attractive. It should also not be for show-off and pride, but worship of Allah”, he emphasised.
Remain steadfast, Orolu urges Muslim students
While delivering her speech on how to cope with the hijab in the modern world, the Coordinator, Hijab Right Advocacy Initiative (HRAI), Hajiah Mutiat Orolu-Balogun advised all to remain steadfast despite the increasing hatred for hijab.
“Regardless of what we are facing, our goal should be Allah. Evaluate yourself if the hijab is pleasing to Allah. If it is, you don’t have business with any other person. They are not to reward you, only Allah will. Those denied work because of their hijab, have they died of starvation? It has even pushed many to establish their own businesses and they are in millions today.
“They have told us that we can’t amount to something, we have proven them wrong many times. We are not even concerned about them, amounting to something in the presence of Allah in the hereafter is what we are after. Regardless of what we face now, we should know there is light at the end of the tunnel and Allah will reward us”, she said.
Why we joined the WHD awareness – Ajongba
Earlier in her welcome address, the Women Affairs Secretary, Hajiah Azeezah Ajongba gave insight on the commemoration of the day.
Mrs. Ajongba said the event was organised to sensitise female Muslims about the adornment of hijab, adding, “People look at Muslim sisters as illiterate and brainless, which is not so.
“We are brilliant, educated, and well exposed. We cover our heads, not our brains. This is one of the reasons we, the women wing of S. A. T Mosque joined the annual event this year.”.
The Women Affairs Secretary noted that aside from the lecture which was handled by a leading Islamic scholar and Hijab advocate, the mosque distributed free hijabs to students and Muslims.
According to her, “we didn’t just give them the hijab materials for fashion sake. It is a commandment from Allah and not a culture, and should be adorned solely for Allah alone.”
“We call on the government and teachers to know that the Qur’an is our way of life where Allah commanded us to use the hijab. So they should ensure our religious freedom is protected. The parents should follow the commandment also and teach their children”, she noted.
