9:21AM, Mon Mar 11, 2013

Discover Islam Week: What’s It Like To Wear Hijab?

By Nisha Joshi Location: Newcastle

Video: What's it like to wear a hijab?

Non-Muslim women wore hijab for a day as part of Discover Islam Week at Northumbria University.

They were asked to continue their daily routine as normal wearing the head covering before a group discussion about their experiences.

The event was aimed at challenging negative preconceptions about Islamic women and improving understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Some Muslim women choose to wear the hijab because they say it is ordered in the Koran, to protect women's modesty.

Samantha McGregor, who took part in the event, said: “I found that people were looking at me. I don’t know if they were thinking she looks silly or she’s not actually a Muslim.

“I felt like saying: ‘Stop looking at me! I’ve done nothing wrong.’

“I like the idea that you wear a hijab so only your husband can see your hair, I find that quite special.

“I think people have bad views of Islam and today it’s made me completely change and get rid of all those views.”

Another participant Jeanna Spencer added: “It’s been really interesting to think about why someone would choose to wear it and why hair would be something to be kept private and be modest about.”

Head sister of Northumbria University’s Islamic Society, Rokeya Begum, said: “It’s actually quite liberating because we’re not forced to dress the way that society or fashion says that we should.

“The event is to show that we’re not forced to wear it and we’re quite happy.

"We’re normal people, and others shouldn't judge us by the way we dress.”