Wearing Hijab, Indonesian Women Stress Faith on Islamic Culture

Riyadh - Hundreds of Muslim women from the Indonesian community gathered at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter to participate in the ‘Creative Hijab,’ a Muslim style makeover session organized by the wives of the Indonesian diplomats recently .

 “Wearing an Islamic headscarf, or a ‘hijab,’ is a personal choice for millions of Indonesian Muslim women. For many it is a representation of faith and a way to practice modesty,” said Ivo Meriyanti Sunarko, wife of deputy chief of the Indonesian mission. Sunarko said, “Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation with over 88 percent practicing Muslims and where the Islamic culture has a strong and widespread influence. Significantly, Indonesia has a huge market in hijab exports to Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Indonesian Muslims have influenced the modest evolution of the hijab, and Indonesian women’s awareness of wearing the hijab has increased, especially among the younger generations .”

With the growing popularity of hijab styles nowadays, Muslims do not hesitate to wear hijabs and still look stylish. “Our hijab culture has prompted Indonesian designers to produce creative designs for the hijab which has become a fashion statement,” she said. A ‘live’ hijab tutorial was organized by the Indonesian Women’s Association (IWA) at the embassy’s cultural hall. The event featured three innovative hijab styles including a ‘Casual’ style for practical daily wear, a ‘Party’ style and hijab for ‘Seniors and the elderly.’ Hijab stylist Yoke Adi demonstrated the ‘Casual’ national style with Eka Farid who volunteered to model for the presentation while the elaborate ‘Party Style’ hijab was presented by Ciecie Dafris with model, Jihan Rahmad. The ‘Mature Style’ was tutored by Endah Dewanto who worked with volunteer model, Yoke Adi. Stylist Endah personally preferred to uphold the ‘Turban’ hijab, a current favorite among new hijabis globally .

Increasingly, hijab is becoming a symbol of individual expression and in many cases a fashion statement with greater adaptation of modern designs as showcased by online communities of Muslims across the globe. Speaking about innovation in draping the modest covering, Endah Dewanto said, “Tutorials instructing women on how to wrap and wear an Indonesian hijab are featured on various websites and blogs. Within these, different styles are usually featured and precise colors and fabrics may be chosen according to the wearer’s preference .”

Coincidently, the hijab event stood parallel with the International World Hijab Day, celebrated on Feb, 1 since 2013, by members from over 116 countries with a message to encourage Muslim and non-Muslim sisters to experience a day in ‘Hijab’ for better awareness, education and greater understanding about the concept of hijab .

Tyas emphasized “Hijab is our culture and a part of every Muslim’s faith which protects the modesty of women and empowers them .

Muslim women should take the hijab because it is an obligation upon every Muslim woman as stated in the Qur’an.” Ike Chairil said it was a beautiful sight to see the entire auditorium packed with hijab-covered participants for a good cause. “With today’s lesson, we can now confidently wear trendy hijab styles ourselves without having to go to stylists,” she said .