Hijab Day, Kyiv Style

Young girls from Female Social Organization “Maryam” decided to celebrate the Word Hijab Day (February 1) with the Ukrainian coloring. Several dozens of girls and women gathered at Kyiv Islamic Cultural Centre on this day, interested to find out why the Muslim women dress in a particular way, and try the image of a “woman in a headscarf” on their own.

The activists not only explained Islamic prescriptions on modesty in dress, but also described Ukrainian traditional female costumes which served the same purpose only a century ago. The audience learned about different parts of traditional ukrainian headdressing, which made in complex a full “Ukrainian Hijab”, and also about how women gathered their hair in order not to let it show from beneath the headdress. Many people were surprised to find that the Ukrainian Muslim women are rather maintaining their own tradition than following “Arabic fashion”.

All the quests eagerly put themselves in the hands of Muslim girls who helped them tie their scarves so that it looked good. Many of the visitors liked the new look, so the activists had to give an unexpected master-class.