* Marks World Hijab Day, World Cancer Day
The former First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu has called on mothers to strive to instil a dose of resilience and confidence in their children so that they can rise and challenge stereotypes.
Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu made the call on Sunday at the grand finale of the World Hijab Day event organised by the Coalition of Nigerian Muslim Women in Abuja to address the theme; “Veiled In Strength”.
Muslim News gathered that the First Lady has over the years been one of the supporters of the annual World Hijab Day, an occasion aimed at celebrating Muslim women and sensitising the general public on the use of hijab.
She said, “The definition of hijab transcends decency in physical clothing and includes purity of mind and soul. It is interesting to note that the World Health Organization (WHO)’s 1948 definition of health is a “complete state of mental, physical and social well-being” .
Stages Awareness Campaign On World Cancer Day
Muslim News gathered that World Hijab Day is held every February 1, which falls on Thursday this year, but organisers staged a series of awareness programmes which ended on Sunday, February, coinciding with World Cancer Day.
Dr. Bagudu, Consultant Paediatrician and an advocate for women’s health, with a particular focus on cancer, used the occasion to draw the attention of the dignitaries at the National Mosque Hall, the venue of the World Hijab Day lecture, to the similarities between cancer patients and hijab-wearing Muslim women.
She said, “Both face an unjust amount of stigmatization and inequities. Similarly, both groups need support and strength, to break these stereotypes. I was also delighted to watch the cancer awareness clip made by the sisters at Mission for Education, Social and Health – Mesh, promoting early detection.
“I have served as a board member of Women In Da’wah for 2 years now and I am always ready to support these proactive women. I am very proud of their direction and achievements. Besides, it’s always fun and delightful to join them for programs and catch up with the sisters. It was also nice to exchange thoughts with my dear classmate and former First Lady of Zamfara State, Dr Karima Ahmed Sani, and Professor Bilkisu Shinkafi. I say huge well-done to the Coalition of Nigerian Muslim Women.”
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