Kiwi women don headscarves in solidarity with Muslim victims

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – Women across New Zealand wore makeshift hijabs as a statement of peace and solidarity on Friday, March 22, a week after a white supremacist killed 50 Muslims at two mosques in the southern city of Christchurch. (READ: New Zealand bans assault weapons within days of massacre)

Rafaela Stoakes, a 32-year-old mother of two, said wearing the Islamic head covering gave her an insight into what it means to stand out and feel part of the minority. (READ: New Zealand prays, falls silent, a week after mosque massacres)

On Friday morning she covered all but a few locks of her dark chestnut-colored hair in a loose red and white scarf, crossed neatly beneath her chin and tucked into a black hiking jacket.

She was one of many women embracing #HeadScarfforHarmony, to make a stand against the hate espoused by the Australian man accused of killing dozens of worshippers. (READ: New Zealand Muslims will be ‘safe’ after mosque attack – foreign minister)

Headscarves were also worn as a mark of respect by policewomen and non-Muslim volunteers directing the crowds around the site in Christchurch holding communal prayers on Friday. 

Many were wearing a headscarf for the first time.

“It is amazing how different I felt for the short time I was out this morning,” Stoakes told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

“There were a lot of confused looks and some slightly aggressive ones,” she said.

“I did feel a sense of pride to honor my Muslim friends, but I also felt very vulnerable and alone as I was the only person wearing one.”

“It must take a lot of courage to do this on a daily basis.”

The gesture caught on nationwide – in offices, schools and on the streets – as well as at the ceremonies held in Christchurch to mark one week since the killings at the hands of a self-avowed white supremacist.

Women flooded Twitter, Facebook and other social media – which played a key role in allowing the gunman to spread his message – with their images.

Kate Mills Workman, a 19-year-old student from Wellington, posted a selfie on Twitter wearing a green headscarf.

“If I could I would be attending the mosque and standing outside to show my support for my Muslim whanau but I’ve got lectures and I can’t really skip them,” she told AFP, using a Maori language term for extended family.

“Obviously this is all spurred on by the terrible tragedy in Christchurch, but it’s also a way of showing that any form of harassment or bigotry based on a symbol of religion is never okay,” she added.

“As New Zealanders, we have to make a really strong stand.”

Wearing a headscarf to uni as a show of support and solidarity with the many Muslim women who are routinely harassed for the act of following their faith. I will work hard to help raise up your voices in any way I can #HeadScarfforHarmony #scarvesinsolidarity #TheyAreUs pic.twitter.com/jIxaklYOBq

— Kate Mills Workman (@MillsWorkman) March 21, 2019

Although the headscarf has been the subject of contentious debate over gender rights in the Islamic world, for Stoakes the day has been a lesson in how pious Muslim women often do not have the option to melt away into the background when they feel vulnerable.

“We can nod and pretend to agree with people who we are afraid of, or plead ignorance if we feel in danger of confrontation,” she said.

“But a Muslim is just right out there. Like a bullseye. Their hijabs and clothing speak before they do.” – Rappler.com