Hijab awareness outing wraps up World Hijab Day activities in Abuja

Muslim women engage participants from different faiths in discussions on modesty, identity, and interfaith understanding during outdoor event at Millennium Park

By Abdullahi Yusuf

World Hijab Day activities in Abuja concluded Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, with a hijab awareness outing at Millennium Park, where Muslim women from various organizations engaged members of the public in conversations on modesty, identity and interfaith understanding.

Hajiya Maryam Idris Othman, The Amirah of Women in Da’wah (Middle)

The outdoor event, brought together organizers and Muslim women from different groups who invited women of other faiths to try on the hijab, share their impressions and discuss perspectives on modest dressing. Participants who took part in the exercise were allowed to keep the hijabs.

Speaking in a side interview with Peace Magazine, one of the organizers, Hajia Ramatu Sani, said the turnout and response exceeded expectations, noting that several participants requested fuller and longer hijabs after wearing them.

“I am impressed because the message has been passed and well understood,” Sani said. “Some people even asked for longer hijabs, saying they wanted to cover themselves more. It shows that modesty is a value that cuts across religions.”

Sister Firdausa Amasa Esq (MESH), and Hajia Khadijah Oladipupo (Lead programme officer MESH)

She added that the interactions demonstrated broad acceptance of the hijab beyond the Muslim community. “This is not just about Muslims covering. Modesty is a language shared by all religions,” she said, describing the outing as successful in promoting mutual respect and understanding.

Also speaking, the Amirah of Women in Da’wah, Hajiya Maryam Idris Othman, said the strong participation of women from other faiths underscored the inclusive message of World Hijab Day. She described the event as an annual platform where Muslim women from different groups come together and intentionally invite non-Muslim women to share in the experience.

According to her, the hijab represents obedience to God, noting that modest dressing is a shared value across faiths, even if interpretations differ. She said participants were encouraged to wear the hijab to better understand its meaning and the sense of dignity it offers, adding that women of other faiths are always welcome to engage, learn and be part of the conversation.

Another organizer, Maimunat Osinachi, said the event was designed to encourage dignity, identity and coexistence. She urged both Muslims and non-Muslims to see the hijab as a symbol of faith rather than extremism.

“We want people to understand that Muslim women are simply observing their religious obligations,” Osinachi said. “We are Nigerians like everyone else. We share the same purpose and should respect one another despite differences in faith.”

Organizers described the hijab awareness outing as an annual initiative aimed at fostering unity and offering women of other faiths a firsthand experience of wearing the hijab.

One of the Christian participants, Jessica Isaac, who tried on the hijab during the event, said the experience reinforced her view on modest dressing. She said if she were to adopt an Islamic name, she would choose “Miriam,” noting its personal significance to her.

“Wearing the hijab reminded me to be more mindful of how I dress anywhere and at any time,” Isaac said. “Modesty is a mindset, and every young woman should try to dress modestly.”

Mrs. Esther, a Christian participant who tried on the hijab during the outing, said the experience challenged her long-held assumptions. She said she had always thought the hijab was heavy and uncomfortable, often wondering how Muslim women, including her colleagues at work, managed to wear it for long hours. “Trying it on today changed my perception,” she said. “I felt properly covered and modest, not uncomfortable as I imagined.” She added that the experience encouraged her to support appropriate and modest dressing among women.

Another participant, Mrs. Comfort, said she had long admired the Islamic emphasis on modesty and the way Muslim women wear the hijab with confidence and dignity. While noting that she does not wear the hijab herself, she said her Christian faith also teaches modesty and guides how she dresses. “I try as much as possible to cover appropriately,” she said, adding that she has always liked the Islamic name Halimah and associates it with humility and modest conduct.

The Millennium Park outing marked the final activity of the 2026 World Hijab Day observance in Abuja, following earlier lectures and engagements focused on faith, identity and sisterhood among women.

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