Women veiled and unveiled Monday.
Islam on Campus invited all women to experience a day wearing a hijab, a veil that covers the head. Participants of “Hijab for a Day” put on the headscarf in the morning then proceeded with their daily routine.
Sumrah Iqbal, a 20-year-old UF mechanical engineering junior, coordinated the event, which is part of UF’s Islam Awareness Month.
This is the first year the organization has done this, and Iqbal said she was happy with the support the event received.
The organization hosted a discussion Monday evening with about 35 participants who reflected upon their experiences wearing the hijabs with women who wear the headscarf daily.
Students were surprised by the reactions they received.
“It was an amazing experience to be able to understand so much about a culture in just one day,” Jessica Thompson, a 21-year-old UF sociology junior, said. “I felt a responsibility to uphold the culture and be sure I was seen respectfully.”
Shirley Roseman said she felt empowered by wearing the hijab.
“I realized how much of my personality and how much I focus on my hair as my identity. I was afraid that I would feel significantly insecure putting [the hijab] on,” the 23-year-old UF sociology and psychology junior said. “But as soon as I put it on, I felt a lot freer because I didn’t have my hair guarding me.”
Heiba Belal, 21, left, a UF microbiology senior, helps Lisdelys Garcia, 19, a UF biomedical engineering freshman, put on her hijab, a veil that covers the head, on Turlington Plaza on Monday for Islam on Campus’ “Hijab for a Day.”
