‘Headscarf for Harmony’, ’Scarves in Solidarity’: New Zealand Women Urged To Don Scarfs In Solidarity With Muslims   

Women in New Zealand are being urged to wear a scarf this coming Friday (22 March), in solidarity with the Muslim community in the country, New Zealand Herald has reported.

At least two movements, ’Headscarf for Harmony’ and ’Scarves in Solidarity’, will be held on Friday.

Organisers of the movement called ‘Headscarf for Harmony’ said that there are no rules around what sort of headscarf to sport or how to wear it. The idea behind the campaign was to urge Kiwis to demonstrate their support for Muslim women in the country.

The event is the brainchild of Auckland doctor Dr Thaya Ashman, who claims to have conceptualised the idea after seeing a Muslim woman on the news saying she was now too afraid to go outside because she wears a hijab.

Another event titled 'Scarves in Solidarity' is also being planned to express support to Muslims in New Zealand and signal that they are not alone.

The event has asked Kiwis to come together and pledge that there is no room for racial abuse against women who wear the hijab.

“I just thought, why don't we all wear a scarf on Friday, a week on from this tragedy, and walk alongside our Muslim sisters as a mark of respect," Newshub quoted event organiser Anna Thomas as saying.

“Women, especially those who wear the hijab, are fairly regularly fearful when they go out in the streets, and what a better way to show support and walk alongside them than to wear one," she added.

Thomas also has the support of Islamic Women's Council New Zealand for the event

"They are all really moved by the gesture, and it shows New Zealand is with us in our grief", said Nasreen Hannif, a member of the council.

The events has however faced criticism with some calling the move oppressive and signalling women as subservient to men.

Critics pointed out that women in Iran, protesting again oppression, are discarding their headscarf and paying the price for it by getting beaten and locked up in jail while in New Zealand a symbol of oppression and discrimination is used to mourn a massacre.

Fifty people lost their lives in a mass-shooting at two Christchurch mosques in New Zealand on 15 March.

The terror attack was perpetrated by an Australian born man named Brenton Tarrant. He is said to have released a racist manifesto on social media prior to the crime.