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VOC launches PHD 2016

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After taking on the idea eight years ago, VOC’s Pink Hijab Day remains one of the station’s most important passion projects as it raises awareness on an issue that affects almost every household – cancer.  Global Pink Hijab Day is held annually in the last week of October in a bid to raise awareness on the plight of women who have, and continue to suffer from breast cancer. On Wednesday, VOC launched its 2016 PHD campaign, where cancer survivors will have the opportunity to share their experiences and get the opportunity to participate in cancer awareness programmes through the month of October.

Pink Hijab Day was launched in South Africa by Humairah Jassat and was based on a global initiative founded in 2004 in the United States of Missouri by a group of high school students, led by Hend El-Buri. Jassat decided to bring the campaign to South Africa after her aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. She realised that a lack of dialogue existed around the disease. The aim of the PHD was to make people aware of what cancer is, while simultaneously clearing the misconceptions around Muslim women.

The Pink Hijab is a symbol of the campaign. Women wear pink head scarves, as well as and other pink apparel to highlight the realities of thousands of women who have suffered or continue to suffer and lost their lives as a result of the dreadful disease. This year marks the eight annual edition of the campaign, which has seen VOC actively rallying in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“The Pink Hijab Day offers dual benefits as it fulfils a purpose of promoting awareness of the disease, as well as Islam, though the use of the pink hijab, a symbol of Islam,” said VOC’s Pink Hijab Day team.

The campaign has thus far been very successful as thousands of women participate annually during the month of October, coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Muslim women and participants from other faiths are challenged to don a pink coloured hijab or any apparel in support of the cause. Further more people from other religious backgrounds are encouraged to wear a pink ribbon during the month of October to commemorate those who have been diagnosed with cancer and those who lost their lives.

“We cannot take the cancer away, but offering our support might make an enormous difference in the lives of those affected by cancer,” added the PHD team.

VOC will again host its annual PHD programme on 25th October at Masjidul Quds at 10am. The event is open to the public. VOC (Loushe Jordaan)


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