Regina Muslims teach others about their faith and the hijab

REGINA – On Sunday afternoon dozens of people gathered to learn more about Islam and Muslim women at the George Bothwell Library in the Southland Mall.

It’s part of the #JeSuisHijabi movement by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at.

“I think ignorance is the greatest enemy of all, and so to become informed is a virtue,” said retired teacher Robert Betteridge as he entered the session.

“It’s really about opening up a dialogue and telling people that we are all Canadians and we have to stand for what we all believe in,” said Shazia Rehman, who lead the discussion.

In her presentation Rehman taught attendees about Islam across a wide variety of topics; including basic beliefs, how scripture relates to the modern world, and the hijab.

As part of the education on the cultural importance of the hijab people had a chance to try on the veil.

“Telling people that it’s not about oppression, it’s not about extremism,” said Faiqa Naz, one of the Ahmadiyya Muslims teaching women about the hijab. “It’s about our dignity. It’s about our faith.”

“It’s important that we come together as all people, from all walks of life and we stop this misjudgment and we stop what’s going on,” said Sue Deranjer, one of the women who tried wearing a hijab. “Everything is unity, and everything is love. As soon as people learn that maybe we’ll have a better world.”

This event was partially held in response to the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, and the Islamophobia that came in its wake. However, not all of the post attack response has been negative.

“Almost everyone on my Facebook page and on Twitter was like not all Muslims are like this,” explained Madeeh Rehman. “They all kind of realized that it’s not Muslims who are doing this. It’s just a certain group of people.”

For those who attended the session coming together in this way is one of the best weapons against extremism.

“We feel at this time that some elements are trying to cause discord and we will play into the hands of the terrorists if we fall for their trap,” said Shazia.