“Burn a Qur’an day” leads Americans to wear Hijab

by Marian Mohamed (Somalia)

Americans wear the Islamic headscarf, the Hijab, today in defiance against Pastor Terry Jones’ “Burn a Qur’an day”. Although the pastor has “suspended” the event after a series of twists and turns in the run up to the anniversary 9/11.

The Facebook group “Wear Hijab on 9/11, Defy “Burn a Quran Day”, had has more than 6,500 fans in protest against the Florida pastors stunt. It has been a platform for Americans around the country to express their outrage of the book burning and encouraging each other to wear a Hijab.

The organiser of “Wear a Hijab” Charell W. Charlie says “I am not a Muslim but I will wear the Hijab on 9/11 in support of my Muslim friends and defiance of “Burn Koran Day” and Islamophobia in general. Will you join me?”

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Interview with American activist, Charell W. Charlie

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M. Mohamed: The Burka has been in the spotlight quite a bit, while some individuals also claim that Hijab is just as oppressive. Why did you choose to wear a Hijab on 9/11, rather than say, go on a protest?

C. W. Charlie: The foolish preacher in Florida who started “Burn a Quran Day” chose the date of 9/11 so that is the day I chose to wear the Hijab. He is clearly trying to say that Muslims were responsible for the terrible act on that day. I say that Muslims were no more responsible for 9/11 than Christians were responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. I might decide to wear the Hijab at a protest in future if an appropriate one should come up. I know a few Muslim women and Hijab is clearly not oppressive to them. They are proud to wear it and I think they look beautiful.

M. Mohamed: What has the overall reaction been towards your protest against “Burn a Qur’an day, both from supporters and those against it?

C. W. Charlie: The reaction has be overwhelmingly positive. Most of the response has been from Muslims around the world expressing their gratitude. I’ve been floating on air from all the blessings I’ve received. I was hoping for more non-Muslims to join but there have been a lot of those too. There are, of course, a small minority who go out of their way to post hatful things in our group. I expected that. I wouldn’t feel the need to do this if it weren’t for the recent rise of hate against Muslims here in America. The Right-Wing has the most control over our media and they are fomenting this hate. Sadly, the ends justify the means for them. It is obvious to me that it is part of a disinformation campaign as a way to gain more power. Unfortunately, there are many gullible people in America who fall for it. I fear it has gotten to a dangerous level. There is a saying, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.” I felt I had to do something. The idea came to me and I acted on it.

MM: Do you believe you are a “true” and patriotic American for going ahead with this campaign?

CWC: I do consider myself a patriot and that this is a patriotic act. There seems to be much disagreement in this country about what it means to be a patriot. For me it is not “my country right or wrong.” Instead, I feel that when you see your country doing wrong, you try to right her. That is my definition of patriotism.

MM: How will “Wear a Hijab day” be performed, are you going out on the streets or uploading photographs of yourselves in Hijab in your Facebook group?

CWC: I plan to wear the Hijab all day as I go about my day. I’m wondering if I should also wear a sign explaining what I’m doing or just wait for reactions and then tell them. There are a lot of Muslim women in the Los Angeles area. I’m afraid I’ll just blend in and the message will get lost. I do hope to get pictures to post on the Facebook group. I have friends who will be joining me and some have already suggested that we post pictures.

MM: And finally, will men be wearing it too?

CWC: Yes, I’m inviting men to join us. The problem is that it’s much harder to find appropriate head wear for men. Most women already have scarves that they can use. Men have been asking that question in the Facebook group. I have suggested that they try to find a skull cap which I have just learned is called a Kufi. By all means, men are encouraged to join us.