The Islamic dress code for women includes the principle of Hijab modesty and includes behavior as well as dress for both males and females. The most visible form of hijab is the loose outer clothing and head covering that Muslim women wear. In a Muslim society the Hijab represents the values of modesty. The dress that includes a head covering is locally known as a ‘Jalbab’.
Muslim Women residing in the rural areas often are unable to regularly don the Jalbab due to lack of Islamic Religious Education and/or inability to purchase one. Extreme poverty is a factor in maintaining proper modesty of the person.
‘Modesty is a branch of faith’ – Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w.)
APPROACH:
In order to assist Women who are willing to learn more about our deen and initiate a program that would assist Women to overcome the above challenges, Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya (BMMK) offered to support all female students with the women madaris at all its 15 centres managed by the Mission.
BMMK women’s madrassa sessions take place at least twice a week for two hours. Every Centre consists of a lady Mubalighat who is responsible for facilitating these classes. A women’s madrassa syllabus is in place and teaching monitored to ensure it is followed by all the instructors (Mubalighat).
Monitoring reports suggested that many adult women coming to madrassa class are not in proper hijab due to lack of capacity to purchase or stitch one. BMMK, with the generous support from the Nudba Group of Toronto, Canada and SakinaBai Dhalla assisted the Women by providing them with Jalbab at an affordable cost.
The Mission Purchased 100 rolls of black Jalbab material at Kshs. 4,000/- each. Stitching was initially arranged with the ladies from the BMMK tailoring classes at its Centres.
The main objective of this program was to ensure all ladies can acquire Jalbab at a minimal cost. The market price of a Jalbab is Kshs.600/- and the selling price to students was Kshs.100/-, being the cost of stitching. The project also provided the ladies at the tailoring classes with additional experience. The project commenced in March 2019 and was completed in February 2020.
The 800 plus ladies from the BMMK express their appreciation at receiving a personal Jalbab. Ladies now come to class in Hijab.
The Mission appreciates the generous support and assistance it has received from The NUDBA GROUP and Sakina Bai Dhalla and looks forward to their continued support in all our activities in the future.
The Mission also thanks all those involved in this program.
Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya
P.O. Box 82508 – 80100
Tel: 254 41 2229641
Email: admin@kenbilal.org
Mombasa, Kenya
For news of our activities, visit www.kenbilal.org
Prepared by: Faraah Sumar
February 2020