Women across the world are wearing traditionally Muslim hijabs to protest the death of a Muslim woman in California. They say: “Hoodie or hijab, this needs to stop.”
Shaima Alwadi, a 32-year-old observant Muslim mother of five living in San Diego, was found beaten and unconscious on March 21 in her own home. Her daughter found her lying next to a note that reportedly labeled Alwadi as a terrorist. On March 24, she died of the injuries. Police are still investigating, but the murder is being identified by many as a hate crime.
In the days following, women across the country — and world — have come together in protest, largely on Facebook, forming a group called "One Million Hijabs For Shaima Alawadi." In the group, women – both Muslim and not – post pictures of themselves wearing hijabs to show solidarity with Alwadi and the female Muslim community at large. The concept takes a cue from the Trayvon Martin protests, in which protestors wore hoodies to support the 17-year-old who was killed while wearing a hooded sweatshirt. As "One Million Hijabs" explains in its description, "There should not be an outfit that screams 'kill me!' Hoodie or hijab, this needs to stop."
Here are ten of the many, many diverse women who have posted their photos and stories on the group's page.
"I wear this Hijab which is in respect to all women who wear it within their own choice, i myself am a protester from Occupy Dame street left a piece of my soul in Tahrir square and heart in Gaza." - Saroise
Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net
"I'm Catholic of Mexican descent (we are very fond of Mother Mary), but I really truly do support my sisters who were the Hijab....I am a believer in 1 God, If you call him Allah, Jesus, Krishna, etc. I don't care as long as you have faith." - Luciana
Via: facebook.com
"My hijab represents the fact that I am a Muslim...before I covered people had no idea I was a Muslim and had no problem with me, since I have covered people have treated me differently, over a piece of cloth...it doesn't change who I am, just what I choose to look like." - Tina
Via: facebook.com
