Willimantic, Conn. – Linda Miller of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut visited Eastern Connecticut State University on Feb. 1 to inform students about the history of the hijab, on World Hijab Day. Nazma Khan created the movement as a means to foster religious tolerance and understanding by inviting women (non-Hijabi Muslims/non-Muslims) to experience the hijab.
“The hijab is a choice. It’s a choice for women to make in Islam,” said Miller. “A lot of the media makes you think we’re all oppressed and our husbands and fathers make us do this, but that’s not true.” The hijab is only mandated in Iran and Saudi Arabia, two of the 49 Muslim majority countries.
“I feel empowered when I wear it. It’s a way for me to connect with people in a very positive way. I get very positive responses from people and it gives me an opportunity to discuss,” said Miller. “Rather than focusing on how someone is dressed, it’s how someone’s behavior is, how they speak to others, how you treat people — that’s very important as far as our behavior in Islam.”
The only time the hijab is mandatory is during prayer. “If someone were going to ask me now to read something out of the Koran I will put the hijab on my head. To me that is a sign of respect for my religion and my faith,” said Miller.