FOMWAN Appeals to Imams, Media as Ondo Marks 2026 World Hijab Day
The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Ondo State Chapter, has called on Islamic clerics and media organisations to lend strong support and publicity to the 2026 World Hijab Day (WHD) celebration scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026.
The event, which will take place at the Ile Oluji Central Mosque in Ile Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area, is aimed at deepening public understanding of the hijab, promoting unity among Muslims and strengthening advocacy for the religious rights of Muslim women, particularly in public institutions.
As part of efforts to mobilise grassroots support, FOMWAN has appealed to the League of Imams and Alfas across the state to dedicate their Jumat sermons on Friday, January 30, 2026, to the significance of the hijab and the global observance of World Hijab Day.
The association noted that sermons delivered from the pulpit would play a critical role in enlightening worshippers and reinforcing Islamic values of modesty and tolerance.
According to FOMWAN, the celebration will feature a public awareness campaign and a health walk around the Ile Oluji community in the early hours of the day.
This will be followed by a lecture titled “Unity in Hijab”, to be delivered by Alhaja Ganiyat Odutola, a school proprietor and the State Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.
The newly elected executive members of the FOMWAN Ile Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Chapter will also be formally inaugurated during the programme.
In continuation of its advocacy, the association will distribute hijabs to selected schools across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State on Monday, February 2, 2026, as part of efforts to encourage acceptance of the hijab in public schools.
FOMWAN further called on media organisations to give wide publicity to the event and the broader campaign for the rights of Muslim women. The group specifically appreciated the Ondo State chapter of the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) for its consistent support, while urging sustained collaboration to ensure the success of the programme.
Speaking on the forthcoming celebration, the State Amirah of FOMWAN, Alhaja Medinat Omikunle, stressed that the World Hijab Day provides an important platform to promote peaceful coexistence, correct misconceptions about the hijab and strengthen unity within the Muslim community.
She also invited Muslim women, youth groups, religious leaders and other stakeholders across Ondo State to attend the event and actively support the campaign for modesty, unity and mutual respect.
