The New York State Senate

J370

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim February 1, 2017, as Hijab Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The people of the United States and the great State of New York
who come from a variety of backgrounds are united in certain founda-
tional beliefs such as affirming the inherent dignity of all persons;
the right of every person to be treated with respect, and the right of
all citizens to practice their religion freely; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 1, 2017, as Hijab Day in
the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Hijab
Day; and
WHEREAS, The Hijab, a traditional veil which covers a woman's hair and
chest, has been very important to the history of Islam; it is meant to
promote dignity and respect for women while maintaining modesty, and
ensuring proper behavior; and
WHEREAS, World Hijab Day was started by Nezma Khan, a resident of the
Bronx, as a day set aside for women of different cultures, who do not
normally wear the Hijab, to experience wearing one for the day; it
creates the awareness in democratic societies of the misconceptions,
fosters religious tolerance and educates the masses about the origins
and reasons for the Hijab; and
WHEREAS, On February 1, 2013, the world celebrated its first annual
World Hijab Day in recognition of millions of Muslim women who choose to
wear the Hijab and live a life of modesty; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, World Hijab Day has attracted men and
women, Muslims and non-Muslims, in over 140 countries worldwide and over
91 appointed World Hijab Day ambassadors in over 33 countries; and
WHEREAS, Recently, there has been much discriminatory bias against
Muslim women who wear the Hijab; there is also a perception in numerous
countries that this way of dress is a threat to education, secularism,
women's rights, public security and even freedom of religion itself; and
WHEREAS, Today, Muslim Hijabi women who live in the United States face
many challenges; there have been several instances of personal attacks,
and many have felt that they cannot go to work or attend school because
of a fear of persecution for honoring their religious traditions; and
WHEREAS, To combat prejudice and bigotry, leaders in the American
Muslim community are working tirelessly to show that the wearing of the
Hijab is a choice, a freedom, and a blessing, as well as to educate
their fellow citizens about Islam in ways which are relevant and mean-
ingful; and
WHEREAS, One of America's greatest strengths as a society has been our
ability to embrace our different faiths and allow their members to
express themselves freely; in this spirit, World Hijab Day encourages
the wearing of the Hijab as a proud display of religious faith and
communal bonding which will make us stronger as a nation and more
accepting of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those
important events which remind us of the rich and diverse heritage of our
great State and Nation while encouraging greater religious tolerance and
understanding in our communities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 1, 2017, as
Hijab Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Nezma Khan, Founder, World Hijab Day.