Call for national headdress day after Muslim pair abused

A national headdress day has been called for after two hijab-wearing Muslim sisters were harangued at an Auckland railway station.

Amid public outrage over the Christchurch shooting, the women were on Sunday told to “go back to your f***ing country” in an ugly incident at the Mt Albert train station.

In a bid to show solidarity against racial abuse, one Facebook user suggested there should be a national headdress day. Others agreed, asking, “how do we get the ball rolling?”

Iqra, 21, one of the Muslim sisters abused in Sunday’s incident, said their family friends were considering not wearing their headscarves in public as a result of the abuse.

She told the Herald yesterday that a headdress day could be an amazing opportunity to start a respectful conversation on what hijab is.

“It could be about what it means to us and that essentially we are New Zealanders who choose their freedom by deciding what we wear in accordance to our religious belief.”

After speaking out about Sunday’s incident, she said, other Muslims had told her about abuse they’d encountered following the mosque shooting.

“One friend I spoke to said she had been told ‘why don’t you take off your headscarf, it’s a sign of repression’.

“Others said ‘you’re fine as long as you don’t cover’,” Iqra said.

“My Muslim brothers and sisters are surprised people are finding it so unbelievable as it does happen.”

She said people didn’t understand what hijab meant to them.

“This is who I am. I feel empowered when I wear it. I should not have to justify what I wear and those remarks are so hurtful. We need to educate people and I think a headdress day could be the perfect opportunity.”

University of Auckland professional teaching fellow and former head of Islamic Research Zain Ali said the Christchurch tragedy was helping to open conversation on racial abuse.

“People need to be aware.” He said racial abuse victims should:

● Speak up and let people know it’s not okay. You should not feel afraid.

● Report incidents to police.

● Don’t confront an abuser as you never know how they will respond.