Hello Hijab: Mom Hopes to Create a Better World for Daughter
It hasn’t been easy for Safaa Bokhari to practice her faith as a Muslim woman in America. The mom, who lives in Oakland, Pennsylvania, said she’s been verbally harassed for wearing a headscarf.
But Bokhari is hoping that when it’s time for her daughter, Salma Bokhari, to decide whether or not to wear the scarf, it will be safer world for Muslim women.
That’s why the 30-year-old Muslim mother is teaming up with a community organization in Pittsburgh to launch Hello Hijab, a tiny headscarf that can be used on Barbies and other children’s toys.
MARANIE STAAB
Grace Fetterman (left) and Salma Bokhari play together with dolls.
Bokhari told The Huffington Post that she hopes Hello Hijab will be used by both Muslims and non-Muslims, so that children get used to the sight of women wearing the headscarf.
“The idea of kids and girls playing with the hijab and the hijab becoming something usual, I think it will make a difference in the future,” Bokhari said. “It won’t be a problem for my daughter, if she wants to wear hijab, it wouldn’t be considered something strange.”
Gisele Fetterman partnered with Safaaa Bokhari, both residents of Pittsburgh, to offer hand-made hijabs as accessories for dolls.
Bokhari and her friend, Gisele Fetterman, both have 5-year-old daughters who like playing with dolls.
Fetterman came up with the idea to create a doll-sized headscarf that kids can use during playtime, with the proceeds from the sales going to charity.
Bokhari said she was on board with the project.
“I was very happy because, you know, you can’t be creative if you’re scared,” she told The Huffington Post.
Bokhari and Fetterman found a Muslim seamstress in Pittsburgh who could create the scarves. The two mothers came up with an educational card that explains what the hijab means to the Muslim women who wear it --- and why it’s important to celebrate diversity.
Beginning on April 1, Hello Hijab will be available to order for $6 on the website For Good PGH. The hijabs will come in multiple colors and patterns. Some will be made from donated hijabs worn by Muslim women.
According to Fetterman, 100 percent of proceeds will be given to organizations like the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Fetterman hopes the product will reach children of many backgrounds. Her dream is for every school and daycare that has dolls to have one doll that looks like a Muslim woman.
“I want little girls to see their mothers in these dolls, for kids all over the world to play them. I want American kids to become familiar with hijabs,” Fetterman said.
KRISTEN MICHAELS / FOR GOOD PGH
A sample of the educational card that will come with each doll’s hijab.
When Bokhari first came to America from Saudi Arabia in 2013, she wore an abaya (a loose full-body garment), a headscarf, and a veil that covered her face. She said her religious attire drew stares and negative comments from strangers.
Bokhari chose to stop wearing an abaya in 2016, instead wearing a headscarf over clothes like a long-sleeved shirt and jeans. But the fear of discrimination hasn’t gone away.
“Even the scarf is becoming a problem now,” Bokhari said. “I feel scared all the time, to be honest.”
Safaa Bokhari (left) and Gisele Fetterman met at the Fetterman’s home on Monday, March 6th, 2017 to discuss plans for their joint initiative, Hello Hijab.
The hijab is much more than an accessory -- it’s also a spiritual concept, one that encompasses how Muslims interact with the world. Even though all of this is hard to represent with Hello Hijab, Bokhari said she doesn’t mind.
“If it gets the goal that I want for my daughter, it’s okay with me,” she said. “The idea of the project is just that people get used to the hijab so that it can become easier for women to wear it.”
KRISTEN MICHAELS / FOR GOOD PGH
A sample of a Hello Hijab scarf.
Syndicated from the Huffington Post.
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11 Past Reflections
On May 2, 2017 andi wrote:
If the hijab has spiritual or sacred meaning, why turn it into a toy? Scenarios where children trying to be creative or funny would put hijabs on other dolls, stuffed animals etc or use them for other play purposes are inevitable. Kids can learn to be respectful of the symbol or can also mock it with or without intention if it's given to them as a toy.
On May 2, 2017 Rupa Ramachandran wrote:
Can someone please let me know why women wear the hijab ? In what way does it contribute to spiritual development ? Why women in particular have the dress code ?
On May 2, 2017 D Lewis wrote:
Educating others about your culture is a good thing and hopefully when your daughter grows up, society will be less judgemental. What I find hypocritical is how you want to change society in the western world yet I don't see much said about changing the lives of women in the Middle East. It is well known how badly the expatriate women who work as maids in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are treated. They have no voice when they are beaten and raped, made to work long hours and paid so poorly. No one has tried to change that society. How about raising your voice about that? That would make you a hero in my eyes... most definitely.
On May 2, 2017 PhilEJ wrote:
Everyone should have the freedom to practice their own beliefs. If wearing a headscarf is the outward display of that belief, then it should be acceptable to all. However I think the explanation could be more explicit on the card (given with the dolls headscarf) for better understanding. It doesn't make it clear why the headscarf is an integral part of the belief or practice.
Also any display of a belief should be universal. If a headscarf is acceptable then wearing a cross and chain should also be acceptable, which sadly is not always the case. It has been said that wearing a cross and chain is not acceptable as it may offend those of a different faith. You cannot have double standards if we are to be truly accepting of each other and others beliefs.
On May 2, 2017 bobmaginnis wrote:
Isn't it really an insult against Allah to cover up the beauty of a woman's hair? I suggest not more hijabs in our USA and less hijabs in Saudi Arabia
1 reply: Juan | Post Your Reply
On May 2, 2017 katherine wrote:
I feel sad and heavy reading this. Sensing such a deep and long time conditioning imposed upon women they can not even aware of themselves in prison of oppression and trying to feel some meaning in life justifing little decoration inside of jail - all the while without realizing they are actually in the jail. I wonder what I can do to help them to be aware of their own jail and break out of it and stop dragging their daughters into same jail. If they feel some sense of belonging and safety by staying in jail, maybe there is other ways they can meet that needs without submitting to the unwholesome demand on women. If she needs something that will help her feel like that she is seen and matter among Americans, she can find so many ways she can shine.
On May 2, 2017 Kim Langley wrote:
I am continually saddened by how a religion with so many beautiful and peaceful tenets has been hijacked by a militant public face, and I applaud this homegrown effort to promote Religious acceptance. I believe that positive creativity echos the Spirit of the Creator, and I think God smiles when two good women try in a small but powerful way to represent the spiritual practice of their faith to the general public in a way that promotes understanding. Aren't mothers everywhere motivated by the love of their children to make the world a better place? And here we see two mothers doing what all loving mothers do.
On May 2, 2017 diane bauknight wrote:
I am speaking out against all religions and cultures that require women to swaddle themselves. The roots of this so-called "modesty" is shame of women's bodies and blaming women for men's sexual predatory thoughts and behaviors. No! I do not want to see Hijabs, Berkas, Habits, Jewish Headscarfs or other oppressive and required clothing for women normalized. Where does such a dress code exist on earth for men? Let's see some men try to functon wrapped up in mandatory body-cover/shaming clothing when it is 100 degress outside, or when swimming, or running, or biking, or just living! Spare me the "discrimination" claim. Where the discrimination lies is in oppressive patriarchal cultures and religions! Destroy the Patriarchy!
On May 2, 2017 marymichaels wrote:
Islam, not www.thereligionofpeace.com
Not sue what "Daily Good" came out of this article. :(
Islam is a violent political ideology with a thin veil of religiosity for protection.
1 reply: Nadine | Post Your Reply
On May 3, 2017 Indira Iyer wrote:
I am surprised this article is being featured in this platform. Promoting the wearing of hijab as a spiritual practice is stupefying. This seems to be a tacit attempt to indoctrinate next generation of women born in a free country, using the thin veil of modesty. Strange..
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