On February 1, Muslims are invited to celebrate World Hijab Day. At least, in the state of New York in the United States. “Today we celebrate the faith, identity and pride of Muslim women and girls around the world who choose to wear the hijab, a powerful symbol of devotion and celebration of Muslim heritage”welcomed the New York Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) on social networks.
Schools in New York State have also promoted the wearing of the Islamic veil among their students. The Fairport Central School, near Rochester, notably offered its students the opportunity to try the hijab for a day. “Students had the opportunity to learn the historical, religious and cultural signs of the hijab and try them on, thanks to the FHS Muslim Student Association”wrote the school in a publication, since deleted.
This promotion of the Islamic veil has sparked contrasting reactions on social networks. In France, the philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy was annoyed by X: “World Hijab Day… How dare you? How can the “shining city on the hill” celebrate Iran at a time when thousands of women are imprisoned, tortured and murdered for simply refusing to wear it? »
Other Internet users have stepped up to the plate: “Stop promoting inequality between women and men for fanatics who live in the Middle Ages”, “The hijab is synonymous with oppression”, “Why is the mayor of New York promoting Islamist propaganda while Muslim women are killed in Iran and Afghanistan for daring to remove their hijab? »… Users of the X platform even celebrate “No Hijab day” as a sign of opposition.
