AHS’s Muslim and Afghan Student Associations Shed Light on Hijabs

MSA and ASA host a lunchtime activity to teach students about hijabs

Neha Muppidi

Staff Writer

    On February 17, Muslim Student Association (MSA) and the Afghan Student Association (ASA) introduced a booth in the rotunda to give students the opportunity to learn more about hijabs and try them on, marking the end of a successful International Week. The booth gave students the opportunity to learn more about hijabs and try them on.

   Because of some recent criticisms and controversies towards Muslims in the media, American’s  MSA and ASA decided to host the booth, hoping to answer any questions that students had about hijabs and show them how to wear them.

    “People need to know that school is a safe place for everyone, regardless of cultural differences,” AHS Clubs Committee Head Aastha Shah (12) said. “Nobody should ever have to feel scared of being discriminated against because of where they come from.”

    The hijab booth, set up in the rotunda near the 500-wing, attracted many students and teachers with its display of different hijab patterns and styles. The officers received an overwhelming amount of support from those who visited their booth.

    “Although I never saw anything wrong in girls who wear hijabs, I now have more respect for them,” C. J. Chang (10) said. “I’m really glad I checked out the booth because apart from getting to try a hijab on for fun, I now really understand what it symbolizes.”

    Just as much as people enjoyed learning about hijabs, the officers enjoyed teaching others about them and helping students and teachers try them on.

    “It was a wonderful learning experience I think for both me and for the people trying on hijabs for the first time,” MSA publicist Sana Sayyid (11) said. “It was a refreshing experience because I was able to let out how I felt when I first wore a hijab and why I chose to wear it and how it feels.”

    After the lunchtime booth, the MSA officers hope to see a change in the way students view hijabs and the women who wear them.

    “I really do think that students have a better understanding of hijabs and are more accepting of it,” MSA Treasurer Rida Sayyid (11) said. “And I hope that they learn to embrace it instead of being frightened or weirded out by it. A hijab is a symbol of modesty and peace.”