Tuesday 28th October marks VOC’s annual Pink Hijab Day campaign, an initiative run for the past six years. Pink Hijab Day aims to mobilize women into donning pink scarves in a show of solidarity with those who have lost their hair during cancer treatment. It also seeks to challenge the stigma against the Hijab, by highlighting the beauty behind the Islamic female attire.

Pink Hijab Day is based on a global breast cancer awareness campaign, and will see VOC host a special lady’s programme, as well as conduct a fundraiser in support of cancer awareness based NGOs.

Last year’s event was held at the Masjid al-Quds mosque in Gatesville, and saw more than 900 women come out to show their support for those battling with breast cancer. With the generous support of the community, VOC raised a total of R5000, which was donated to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), and The Pink Drive.

This year’s Pink Hijab Day event is scheduled to take place on the 28th October, and will again take place at Masjid al-Quds. It will run from between 10am and 12pm, and will conclude with a thikr for those who have died as a result of cancer, as well as those still battling the disease.

The programme will constitute stories from breast cancer survivors, advice on dealing with cancer after receiving the news, and advice on supporting the caregivers themselves. There will be an address by the al-Quds mosque committee, naseegahs by Sheigh Abduragmaan Alexander, as well as a ‘Golden Cloud’ competition.

According to VOC programme manager, Mishka Daries, the station would be motivating community members, as well as local schools, to get involved with the collection of toys and good conditioned bras.

“These toys will be distributed at the Cancer Wing of the Red Cross Children’s hospital, and the bras will be sent to Reach4Recovery; a breast cancer support group for those suffering with cancer,” she said.

“The bras are donated to rural areas in order to keep the silicone implants in-place for those who had a mastectomy.”

Event goers will also be urged to make financial donations, which will be donated to the various cancer relief groups. The cut-off date for collections will be the 28th October, and all donations can be brought to the studios of the VOC.

Those seeking to get involved in raising awareness via social media can do so via the hashtag #pinkhijabday.

For more information on the Pink Hijab Day initiative, contact the VOC studios at 021 442 3500. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)