Excerpt:
During a rainy afternoon at Cal State Long Beach, the Muslim Student Association handed out head scarves to women — not to protect their hair from the humidity but rather to provide them with a new experience.
The hijab challenge that took place in front of Liberal Arts 5 on Thursday was an attempt to help educate CSULB students about a religion that has received criticism and negative press over the years, according to Amina Hasan, organizer for the Muslim Student Association (MSA).
A hijab is a veil that covers the hair and neck, and is worn by Muslim women to protect them from the ideals that the fashion industry and media dictates what is deemed appropriate. The word "hijab" comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to hide from view or conceal.