As World Hijab Day was observed across some 190 countries on Monday, Islamic scholar Mufti Saiful Islam described the hijab as far more than clothing—calling it an affirmation of belief, a personal right, and a marker of dignity that many Muslim women choose to express publicly.
In a reflection released to coincide with the observance, Saiful Islam said the term “hijab” in Arabic connotes modesty and separation, and in Islamic discourse encompasses conduct and gaze alongside dress. Citing verses from the Qur’an (Surah An-Nur 24:31; Surah Al-Ahzab 33:59), he argued the tradition seeks to safeguard honor and identity, echoing classical exegesis attributed to Ibn Kathir and ethical writings of Al-Ghazali.
While acknowledging that some women also wear hijab as cultural identity, he emphasized that for many it remains an act of worship rooted in early Islamic practice. He referenced reports about the women of Medina adopting fuller coverings following scriptural guidance, framing the custom as part of the faith’s earliest generations.
Saiful Islam linked the modern observance to its 2013 launch by Nazma Khan in New York City, after she experienced post-9/11 prejudice for wearing a headscarf. The day, he said, invites non-Muslim women to try the hijab to foster understanding and reduce stigma.
Positioning the hijab as “a quiet protest,” he said it counters hostility, misconceptions, and narrow interpretations of women’s freedom, arguing that true liberty includes the space to live one’s beliefs without coercion—either to remove or to adopt religious dress. He concluded that respecting a woman’s choice to wear the hijab is a test of a society’s civility and commitment to equal rights in Bangladesh and beyond.