The Headscarf Day 2009

Wear a headscarf on April 16th and show that you also think there should be room for all of us to be who we are.

Are you the type for colourful folklore, printed silk with motives from Tyrol, purple tie-dye, romantic pink, advanced turban or cool bandana?

The Headscarf Day invites you to a celebration of the freedom of choice and the right to dress as you prefer – no matter your faith, hair colour or shoe size.

Participate, if you are tired of playing the game of “us and them” and think we need more containment, acceptance and cheerfulness in Danish society.

The Headscarf Day is a celebration of life’s diversity!

- -

No matter how we dress, it will show something about who we are. Any kind of clothes sends signals. Just think of a suit and tie, a police uniform, a sweat suit or, well – the veil or headscarf many Muslim women wear and which, time and time again, creates discussion in Denmark as well as abroad.

But the fact that we send signals with our clothes does not mean that we are our clothes. Every one of us is unique and to draw equality between a person and their clothing is not only an offence to the individual but, in the long run, also a threat to democracy.

If democracy is to remain, we need to have space for diversity.
And we must choose to trust, that people who are educated to take care of public matters, such as judges, policemen and social workers etc., are able to do their job and follow the law, regardless of their personal opinions and cultural background. In matters where this is not the case, we must of course take action. But to exclude certain groups of the population from participation in these public matters is a violation of Human Rights and thereby a far greater threat to our freedom, than a judge or policeman with a headscarf can ever be.

Cheerfulness and sense of community are some of the best defences against fear, which draw our attention away from that which is real and true. Fear divides, scatters and creates conflict. And nourished by the attention we give it. Let us instead inspire each other to greater acceptance and acknowledgement of our differences. Then, maybe we can find the energy to solve some of the real issues of this planet.

The Headscarf Day is a private initiative, independent of any kind of organisation. Anyone who wishes can be a part of it. Everyone takes responsibility of their own participation.

The Headscarf Day has a group on Facebook (Tørklædedagen) and can also be reached at torklaededagen@live.dk

The Headscarf Day is primarily a Danish event – but do feel free to join in, or make your own, in other parts of the world.