World Hijab Day 2026
cultureMonday, February 1, 2027
139 days from today · next occurrence
About World Hijab Day
World Hijab Day invites women of all backgrounds to wear the hijab for one day, on February 1, and experience life as a visibly Muslim woman. Founded in 2013 by a New York resident, the event has grown into a movement observed in well over a hundred countries, with walks, open houses at mosques, panel discussions, and social media campaigns.
The goal is understanding rather than conversion. Organizers ask non-Muslim participants to try the headscarf, walk in their neighbors' shoes, and start conversations about faith, identity, and discrimination. For many Muslim women, the day is also a chance to share their own reasons for wearing hijab, whether religious, cultural, or personal.
The observance has attracted both praise and criticism, which organizers embrace as part of a larger conversation. Above all, it aims to counter Islamophobia and promote religious tolerance through direct, personal experience.
When is World Hijab Day?
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | February 1, 2026 | Sunday |
| 2027 | February 1, 2027 | Monday |
| 2028 | February 1, 2028 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | February 1, 2029 | Thursday |
| 2030 | February 1, 2030 | Friday |
History of World Hijab Day
World Hijab Day was created from personal experience. Its founder immigrated to New York from Bangladesh as a child and wore hijab through years of post-9/11 hostility, from sideways glances to outright harassment. Wanting to turn that pain into education, she launched the first World Hijab Day on February 1, 2013, and invited friends of other faiths to try the headscarf. The idea spread rapidly through mosques, universities, and social media, reaching more than a hundred countries within a few years. The day is now backed by a registered nonprofit that provides toolkits for schools and workplaces, hosts interfaith panels, and announces an annual theme, such as hijab in sports or in the workplace. Participation has included mayors, legislators, teachers, and television hosts trying the scarf for a day and reporting on the experience.
How to Celebrate World Hijab Day
- If you do not usually wear one, try a hijab for the day and note how the experience feels.
- Attend an open house at a local mosque or an interfaith panel discussion.
- Ask a Muslim friend or colleague about their experiences, and listen without judging.
- Share accurate information about religious dress and anti-discrimination resources on social media.
- Read personal essays by Muslim women about their choices regarding hijab.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is World Hijab Day?
- World Hijab Day takes place every year on February 1, a fixed date chosen for the first event in 2013.
- Is World Hijab Day a public holiday?
- No. World Hijab Day is an international awareness observance, not a public holiday. Workplaces and schools run normally, though many host optional events and discussions.
- How do people celebrate World Hijab Day?
- Participants celebrate by wearing a hijab for the day, joining mosque open houses and interfaith panels, sharing stories online, and holding conversations about religious tolerance and discrimination.