Headscarf Day to be observed in Australia

13-11-2002

On Friday, November 29 Australian women are invited to wear a headscarf in public for the day.

Avigail Abarbanel, who is President of the Australian National Network of Counsellors and a practising psychotherapist-counsellor, says, "I am a Jewish woman, a former Israeli and an Australian citizen. I have decided to organise Headscarf Day because,with my background,I simply cannot sit by and watch while Muslim people and women in particular are becoming the target of racism.

"You do not need to change your attire, there is no rally to attend, no petitions to sign. It's easy. Dress as usual, put a scarf over your head and go about your day. Any
scarf will do".

Ms Abarbanel says, "Headscarf Day is in solidarity with our Muslim sisters who have been the target of racially motivated attacks in Sydney recently.

Traditional Muslim women are an easy target because their traditional dress makes them visible.

Let us make them feel that they belong, and that they are protected, by helping them blend in.

And let us send a message to the racist thugs who attack them that their behaviour is unacceptable.

Men are also invited to join us by wearing some form of traditional Muslim head dress".

She said that ASIO's raids on Muslim homes were giving legitimacy to racist attacks on Muslims,and helping to create a culture of 'us and them' in Australia.

Source: Muslim News -- England

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National Headscarf Day

Friday 29 November 2002

A national day of solidarity with Muslim women in Australian cities is being organized for this day by a Jewish woman who lives in Canberra. She is asking that Australian women wear a scarf for the day. For more information call Avigail Abarbanel, (02) 6262 8191, 0410628191, or at avigail@netspace.net.au

A National Day of Solidarity with Muslim Women and a Protest Against  Racially Motivated Attacks on Muslim Women in Australian Cities. On Friday 29 November all Australian women everywhere are invited to wear a  headscarf in public for the day. You do not need to change your attire,  there is no rally to attend, no petitions to sign. It's easy. Dress as  usual, put a scarf over your head and go about your day. Any scarf will do. Headscarf Day is in solidarity with our Muslim sisters who have been the target of racially motivated attacks in Sydney recently.

Traditional Muslim  women are an easy target because their traditional dress makes them visible.  Let us make them feel that they belong, and that they are protected, by  helping them blend in. And let us send a message to the racist thugs who  attack them that their behaviour is unacceptable. Men are also invited to  join us by wearing some form of traditional Muslim head dress.

I am a Jewish woman, a former Israeli and an Australian citizen. I have  decided to organise Headscarf Day because with my background I simply cannot  sit by and watch while Muslim people and women in particular are becoming the target of racism. ASIO's raids on Muslim homes are giving legitimacy to racist attacks on  Muslims in our streets, and helping to create a culture of `us and them' in  Australia.

We must make it clear both to street thugs and our government that the Australian people are united in our rejection of racism, and that  we will not allow the population of our country to be polarised. Surely  there are appropriate ways to deal with security concerns without resorting to bullying and intimidation.

First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a  Jew.

Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not  a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me and there was no-one left to speak out for me.
by Pastor Niemoller

Come Join Us on Headscarf Day and make your mark!

Headscarf Day has now been endorsed by Senator Kerry Nettle from the Australian Greens and by the Muslim Womens National Network of Australia.

Dr Eva Sallis
Department of English
University of Adelaide
South Australia 5005
Ph 08 8303 4563
fax 08 8303 4341