How To Wear The Pink Tarha, Literally (And World Hijab Day!)

Hello, Riyadhizens! It's me, Sampaguita Pride! Remember me? Hehe. It's been quite a while since I last posted anything for the blog and I just want to say that I'm really happy to be writing again. I missed you all! Oh, I'm still here in the Philippines, but I just had to share this with you. As a Pink Tarha, how can I not write about this? :)

February 1 is World Hijab Day! It is a special day where Muslim ladies and non-Muslim ladies alike, wear a hijab to promote awareness and understanding of why Muslim women wear their hijab. It also aims to enlighten people that the hijab is not a form of oppression for Muslim women. According to BBC News, the movement was initiated by Nazma Khan from the US and is observed in more than 50 countries across the globe. You can read more about World Hijab Day and stories of Hijabis on their website: worldhijabday.com

Let me just clarify that this is not an Islamic holiday, but rather a worldwide effort to shed positive light about the Hijab and to promote peace and understanding. But whatever our beliefs may be, let's take a moment to appreciate the bright and courageous women under the veil. Let us not forget that underneath the Hijab is a woman, a human being, who deserves respect and courtesy regardless of her religion and beliefs. Just like everyone else. Don't let appearances alienate us from one another. Let us support diversity. As the saying goes, Don't be an Angry Bird. :))

For those who live in Saudi Arabia, we all know that it's customary to wear the Abaya and Tarha in public even if you're not a Muslim. It's part of the package of living and working in Saudi Arabia. Back then, I didn't know how to wear the Tarha. I just draped it around my head when I was told to cover my hair. I felt that it was just something that I had to do to comply. But deep down, I knew it had its benefits. Plus, I always thought that the tarhas worn by some Syrian and Jordanian ladies were really pretty. 

Ironically, I learned to wear the hijab when I stayed here in Manila and embraced Islam. Now I wear my hijab or Tarha on a regular basis. When I first wore the hijab here in the Philippines, I immediately noticed that men would promptly lower their gaze or look away. Random people would greet me, "Asalamu' Alaykum", even non-Muslims. When I ask for directions, people would take the time to answer me and remind me to be careful and be safe. Isn't that wonderful?

The Hijab is not just a piece of cloth. It is the wholesome way that a woman presents herself to others, in her thoughts, attitude, action and speech. Wearing the hijab became a personal reminder for me to moderate how I behave in public. I try to speak softly and be more patient with people around me.

So in support of World Hijab Day, I want to share a simple tutorial on how to wrap your Hijab or Tarha. It's really simple and pretty.

Me wearing a pink hijab!

There are a lot of ways to wear the hijab but this is my favorite. I normally wear an inner hijab bonnet or "ninja" inner but this is optional. In fact, you can even wear it without pins and brooches. I use pins because I like my hijabs securely fastened to my inner bonnets. This way, I don't have to keep adjusting my Hijab in the middle of the day. But I have heard of mommies veering away from hijab pins, for safety reasons. :)

Here's what I use for this hijab style:

What you need.

This style is easy and can be done in just 3 steps but I made a detailed tutorial for those who are completely new to this. (I still can't believe I'm making a tutorial, hahaha!) Here goes my first ever tutorial:

Step 1: Tie your hair into a bun and wear an inner hijab or a bonnet.

Step 2: Fold your rectangle scarf or pashmina so that it's 2/3 of its actual width.

Step 3: Put it on your head, folded side facing out. Make sure that one end is shorter than the other. For me, the shorter end is usually on the left. But you can choose whichever side you prefer. :)

Step 4: Pin the hijab in place using a safety pin or a no-snag pin.

Step 5: Pull the shorter end of the hijab up and over your head.

Step 6: Secure the shorter end on top with a small pin. Be careful not to hurt yourself.

Step 7: Now pull the longer end of your hijab across your chest.

Step 8: Pull the longer end up and over your head closer to your inner hijab. 

Step 9: Pin in place.

Step 10: Arrange the folds accordingly.

Step 11: Use a brooch or a regular pin to secure the hijab close.

Step 12: And you're done! Smile, it's charity! :)

Easy right? You can also check YouTube for tutorial on other variations and styles. Maybe you'll want to wear a pink hijab too just to show your support for World Hijab Day. If you do, don't forget to post it and tag us, okay? :)

I hope you liked this tutorial and thank you for reading our blog! :)

Much Love,
Sampaguita Pride

Ramadan 1431

Here's a very interesting link: Boston.com's The Big Picture, shared by Susie's Big Adventure (we love her blog!). These are fascinating photographs of Ramadan 2010 from cities all over the world. Pick your favorite pic! These ones captured our attention:

Jerusalem

Cairo

Mecca

Quezon City

London

Jakarta

Damascus

Such beautiful pictures depicting Ramadan! We have yet to get a photo of Riyadh. :)

How HAJJ is Performed

It is a very special and holy time in the Kingdom right now as Muslims from all over the world are beginning to flock Makkah (Mecca) in honor of one of their sacred duties: the Hajj pilgrimage.

We've covered some of the basics about Ramadan and the Eid Al-Fitr holidays and now, to tell our readers about what Hajj is, The Pink Tarha thought it best to take a cue from someone who has actually performed this rite. And luckily, E's best friend, AJ has experienced Hajj first-hand and was more than happy to do a short interview:

PT: Hi AJ, Thanks for taking the time to do this.

AJ: Not a problem. :)

PT: Okay, let's get the ball rolling. We both know that Hajj is right around the corner. If you were to explain what Hajj is to someone who's never heard of it before, how would you briefly describe it?

AJ: It's one of the five obligations of all Muslims. They should perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime, if they have the means. This is a chance for Muslims to wash away all their sins.

PT: You've experienced going to Hajj, correct? Tell us how your first experience was like.

AJ: I can't remember much nung first Hajj ko. I was a little kid pa lang at madalas nakasakay ako sa shoulders ng papa ko or my other uncles na kasama kasi maiipit ako kung hindi nila ako itaas. I probably didn't do the Hajj correctly that time kasi I wore briefs, which is bawal :P How it made me feel? Excited and very tired lagi pag dating ng gabi, every day ng Hajj is an adventure. Paiba-iba kayo ng place and may time doon na we slept outdoors without any tents man lang. We always buy our food doon na cooked na since wala kami dalang lutuan. I remember almost every time na kakain kami may nagsh-share ng food nila, lalapit sayo and they'll offer you some of their food or "siwak", yung kahoy na toothbrush ng Arabs.

Photo credit to The Bridgeman Art Library

PT: What are the highlights of performing Hajj?

AJ: From what I remember, you first go to Mina to pray for one day, then the next day at sunrise you go to Mount Arafat, may mosque doon and you will pray there until sunset. Then may pupuntahan ulit na isang place (I can't remember the name) and you will pray there as well. The next day, at sunrise, you go back to Mina and collect pebbles to throw at the Stone Towers. After which, you go back to the Holy Mosque and perform "Tawaf"-- yung pagiikot sa Ka'aba, pray, drink water sa Zamzam Well, then circle between the two hills of Safa and Marwa. Once you're done with that, you could cut your hair na or shave it.

After all that, you have to go back sa Mina to throw pebbles at the Stone Towers again and pray there. This last part is similar to the retreat of Christians when they go to one place to pray, meditate, etc.

I might have missed some parts, but basically, those are the major rituals na ginagawa.

PT: What does one learn (or gain) from performing Hajj?

AJ: You'll learn a lot aside from the obvious spiritual gain. If you're performing Hajj, its like you're in a different world with a different set of rules. Mas valuable doon yung mga ginagawa mong mabuti kaysa how you look, etc.

An Islamic trinket portraying a picture of Makkah during Hajj.

PT: Should a fellow Muslim not go to Makkah during Hajj, is there any alternative he/she should do to coincide with the occasion?

AJ: You could fast, parang Ramadan rin yung time na to eh, where when you do good deeds, its reward is multiplied.

PT: Why do pilgrims wear white "towels" and some even have their heads and beards shaven? What is its significance?

AJ: The towel is a way to show the equality between Muslims. Shave their hair? It's not really compulsary,. You could just have it cut while some other people say na kahit plucking three strands of your hair will do pero I have mine cut na lang to be sure. The significance here is that you show that your submission to God is more important than how you look to other people.

PT: Are women segregated in the activities? Do the women also go around the Ka'aba?

AJ: I haven't heard of a woman going to Hajj alone, normally may kasama siyang family or isang group sila na puro babae. If may family, then they can be with their family while doing some of the Hajj activities but not all. Kasi, meron ibang activities na hiwalay talaga yung babae at lalake like praying. Then you can just meet up ulit afterwards. Yes, naglilibot rin yung babae sa Ka'aba. They can do this with their families by their side.

Muslim women gathered in prayer.

PT: You've been really helpful. Thank you for taking the time AJ. May you have a blessed Hajj.

AJ: You are most welcome.

Hajj also provides a 5-7 day holiday for most of the public and private sectors, which means most of us are on vacation around this time. The celebration after the Hajj period is called the Eid Al-Adha. More on that on our later entries. Meanwhile, as expats, let us enjoy the non-working holidays ahead and may it be a fruitful one!