It is an annual event founded by Nazma Khan, being observed on 1st February in 140 countries worldwide. Its’ purpose is to encourage women of all religions and backgrounds to wear and experience the hijab for a day and to educate and spread awareness on why hijab is worn. In 2018, World Hijab Day Organization became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The mission of the organization is to dismantle bigotry, discrimination, and prejudice against Muslim women through awareness, education, and empowerment.

In 2017, New York State officially proclaimed World Hijab Day, and Theresa May attended an event commemorating the occasion at the House of Commons. In 2021, the Philippines’ House of Representatives designated February 1 as National Hijab Day to foster better understanding and acceptance of the Islamic tradition.

WNYMuslims has been celebrating WHD consistently every year, for which we get overwhelming responses. This year we are proudly celebrating World Hijab Day 2023 on Saturday, February 04th at Walden Galleria Mall, Buffalo NY as we stand and support the mission of WHD organization, to create a more peaceful world where global citizens respect each other and to promote awareness, especially in these crucial times when Hijab is being banned in some countries while in other countries, Muslim women are being targeted and harassed verbally and physically.

WHD focuses on eliminating the negative perception of the hijab allowing people to act upon their fears and hurt innocent women. WHD simply presented an opportunity for everyone to learn about the hijab and its importance in the Islamic faith without perpetuating the negative generalizations in today’s society.