Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Resolution of Support for World Hijab Day
Purpose: To support “World Hijab Day” in the City of Newark to foster and encourage personal freedom, religious expression and cultural understanding for diversity.
Sponsor: Council President, LaMonica R. McIver
Additional Information:
World Hijab Day is celebrated Wednesday, February 1, 2023.
body
WHEREAS, World Hijab Day, started by Nazma Khan, is a day for women of different cultures, who do not normally wear the hijab, to experience wearing one for the day. Its purpose is to encourage religious tolerance, cultural understanding, and international solidarity; and
WHEREAS, the hijab, a traditional veil, which covers a woman's hair and chest, has been very important to the history of Islam. It is meant to promote dignity and respect for women while maintaining modesty and respect for their religion; and
WHEREAS, on February I, 2013, the world celebrated its first annual World Hijab Day in recognition of millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab and live a life of religious faith; and
WHEREAS, since its inception, World Hijab Day has participants from all over the world; and
WHEREAS, the leaders in the American Muslim community are working tirelessly to show that the wearing of the hijab is a choice, a freedom, and a blessing, while also educating their fellow citizens about Islam in relevant and meaningful ways; and
WHEREAS, one of America's greatest strengths is our ability to embrace different faiths and allow members to express themselves freely; and
WHEREAS, the residents of the City of Newark come from a variety of backgrounds and are united in affirming the inherent dignity of all people, the right of every person to be treated with respect and the right for all citizens to practice religion freely and without judgment; and
WHEREAS, World Hijab Day encourages the wearing of the hijab, as a proud display of religious faith and pushes forward the multicultural agenda that the United States of America constantly promotes, which will make us a stronger and more accepting nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY: THAT:
1. Wednesday, February 1, 2023 is declared “World Hijab Day”.
STATEMENT
Resolution of Support for the establishment and declaration of Wednesday, February 1, 2023, as “World Hajib Day”, in recognition of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab and live a life of religious faith.