World Hijab Day was created to foster understanding, visibility, and solidarity with Muslim women around the world. And while visibility matters (especially in a world where Muslim women are often misunderstood or misrepresented), hijab has always been about far more than what others see.

For many Muslim women, hijab is an act of intention. It’s a daily decision grounded in faith that reminds us of our ummah and bigger purpose in this world. Contrary to common assumptions, hijab is not about hiding or silencing oneself. It’s about defining beauty and dignity on your own terms, independent of external expectations.

Hijab can mean different things at different stages of life. For some, it begins as a spiritual commitment. For others, it becomes a source of comfort, grounding, or connection to community. And for many, it evolves and is shaped by growth, reflection, and lived experience. There is no single “right” way to wear hijab, and no universal journey that fits everyone.

At its core, hijab is about choice, a choice that is deeply personal and deserving of respect. Muslim women are not a monolith, and neither are their reasons for covering. What unites these stories is autonomy: the freedom to show up in the world authentically, with faith as a guide rather than a limitation.

World Hijab Day is an invitation to look beyond assumptions.To understand that hijab isn’t a trend or a symbol meant for public approval considering it’s a lived experience.

At VELA, we honor hijab as a reflection of the women who wear it. Multifaceted, intentional, and unapologetically their own.