Nonprofit Celebrates Muslim History and Accomplishments To Combat Bias

World Hijab Day (WHD) established the month of May as International Muslim History Month in 2021, in its on going effort to recognize Muslim contributions to society. 

The organization’s founder and CEO, Nazma Khan, established Muslim History Month in the state of New York through a legislative resolution.

Pictured: Nazma Khan

“International Muslim History Month is an annual acknowledgement and celebration of the accomplishments of Muslim men and women from past and the present who have shaped our humanity of society today,” Nazma Khan said. 

Khan and her organization are working to educate people about Muslim history and contributions, by hosting virtual conferences with Muslim professionals. Every Friday in May the organization livestreamed events with scholars and professors, who gave insight into their research.

Pictured: Dr. Burcin Mutlu-Pakdil

In addition to the weekly conferences, WHD posts daily on social media highlighting historical Muslim figures who made contributions to science, humanities, mathematics, and medicine. Current scholars and professionals are also recognized, such as Dr. Burcin Mutlu-Pakdil who discovered a new galaxy. 

Khan says schools, universities, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to participate in International Muslim History Month by posting on social media or greeting their Muslim neighbor by saying ‘Salam,’ which means peace. The organization offers social media graphics and posters for anyone to use to show their support of the movement. 

“61% of American Muslims are discriminated against,” Khan said. “So that's a huge number right? So, non Muslims will commemorate Muslim History Month by simply taking a photo of their Muslim friend and posting on social media and saying ‘I'm honoring my Muslim friend on this month’.” 

At the age of 11, Khan immigrated from Bangladesh to New York with her family. Throughout school, she experienced discrimination for being the only Hijabi in her school. She attended university after 9/11, where the discrimination only worsened. In an effort to change this negative view of Muslims, Khan established World Hijab Day in 2013. In 2018, Khan launched WHD as a non-profit, with the mission of combating discrimination against Muslim women. 

Pictured: Kathy Hochul

World Hijab Day takes place on February 1, and it invites non-Muslims to wear the Hijab for a day or fast.  This year, Governor Kathy Hochul gave an address paying tribute to the ‘bravery, nobility and strength of Muslim women around the world’ who wear the headscarf.  Countries around the world including the United Kingdom, Philippines, and Scotland recognize World Hijab Day. 

International Muslim History Month is not the only holiday to honor the historical contributions of Muslims and the Islamic faith. October in Canada is Islamic Heritage Month, January in Illinois is Muslim American Heritage Month, and April was recently established as National Arab American Heritage Month. 

“We want to bring it unified into one moment.” said Khan, who hopes the other holidays will combine in one month. “So if we want to bring about changes, if we want to have a greater impact, it has to be in a work of one body.” 

This month of recognition is set apart from others through its focus on historical figures and efforts to implement Arabic curriculum. WHD is creating inclusive workshops for schools and workplaces to educate people on the Islam faith and culture. 

Growing up, Khan noticed the lack of Arabic history being taught in school. She believes that adding this history to curriculum will help bridge the gap in knowledge of Islam in the Western world. 

“America runs on Dunkin, or rather America runs on coffee,” said Khan, going on to explain that coffee is a Muslim discovery yet many people may hold prejudices while partaking in food or cultures from groups they do not understand or dislike. “But you will find a lot of people that don't like Islam or Muslim in general." 

Khan says its important for young Muslims to be aware of their heritage and says “I want my sons and [all] Muslim children, to be proud of their Muslim identity,” and gives the example of the first person who attempted flight, which was a Muslim man in ninth century Spain. Abbas Ibn Firnas assembled wings made from silk, feathers, and wood. He jumped off the mountain side and glided through the air for a short amount of time, before landing and injuring himself.  This historical episode is not widely known - in most American schools the history of flight starts with the Wright brothers. 

WHD hopes to have International Muslim History Month officially recognized by all nations, in order to create an inclusive environment. They hope to be an integral part in the fight against anti-Muslim bias in the United States and Western countries.

“We are urging people, politicians, businesses, and organizations to show support…this way we could live in harmony,” Khan said

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