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Yesterday approximately 80 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women of different faiths and backgrounds went through their day wearing a Muslim headdress called a hijab.

The silent, colorful cultural experiment was part of the Muslim Student Association’s Hijab Day Challenge at SIUE. On Wednesday and Thursday in the Morris Student Union, the student group talked about the headdress, gave demonstrations on how to wrap it and passed out approximately 90 hijabs.

Then for a full day on Thursday, many women from across the campus covered their heads, some in devotion, some in curiosity and others in solidarity. The Challenge was the initial idea of Amina Musa, vice president of SIUE’s Muslim Student Association.

“I got lots of compliments on it, and I wasn’t constantly checking myself in the mirror,” said Abigail Overstreet, a junior majoring in psychology and biology. “I’m always picking at myself. But I felt more focused.”

Overstreet was one of about 50 people who attended the Thursday evening panel discussion about the Hijab Day Challenge at Lovejoy Library.

“I was very comfortable wearing it,” said Jodi Cox, a graduate student working on a master’s in public administration. “This is not my first time. I’ll do it again. I love scarves.”

Cox has worn a hajib previously while in Jordan visiting her partner, First Class Sgt. Robert Heck.

The panel discussion was held to provide information about Muslim customs and teachings on women covering their head. Serving on the panel were Imman Musa, a graduate student in clinical psychology at Saint Louis University, and SIUE’s Dr. Sabina Fatima, assistant professor in philosophy.

Muslim women wear the hijab because of their devotion to God, Musa said. Imman is Amina’s sister.                          

“A common misconception is that the wearing of the hijab is connected to a man,” Musa said. “It is an act of obedience toward God and not a man.”

Musa cited the story of Adam and Eve in the Qu’ran. After the two had eaten of the fruit, felt shame and had been sent back to earth, clothing was given to them as a covering. Musa quoted 7:26 of the Qu’ran: “O you children of Adam! We have sent down to you clothing to cover yourselves as well as to be an adornment to you.”

There are many reasons women wear the hijab, said Fatima, who is originally from Pakistan. “But the perceptions out there are also many. One is that we are oppressed. This one gets the most media coverage.

“We need to abandon making women’s bodies the site for political and social studies.”

One reason for wearing the headdress, Musa and Fatima said is to free a woman’s mind from trying to fit into a standard of beauty.

“In many cultures there is an over emphasis on the woman’s body,” said Musa. “It’s empowering to say I have a choice over my body.”

“When I was coming here tonight, I didn’t have to worry about how many days I haven’t washed my hair, just that my presentation was ready,” said Fatima, to ripples of laughter. “You can transcend your body.”

Expanding and exposing minds is the purpose of the various events held at the Lovejoy Library Friends Corner, said Regina McBride, dean of Library and Informational Services.

“This is the intellectual center of the University,” McBride said. “We’re pleased to sponsor these events that support diversity and cultural exchange.”

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high quality, affordable education that prepares them for successful careers and lives of purpose. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottom land and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is home to a diverse student body of nearly 14,000.

Photo Information:

Amina Musa, vice president of SIUE’s Muslim Student Association, helps Sherryl Jewell , a junior majoring in forensic chemistry, tie her orange hajib.

Musa helps secure the pale pink headdress on Kortney Walden.