Hollywood actress Kathy Najimy is urging people to wear headscarves on the Inauguration Day to show support for “our about-to-be-disenfranchised Muslim sisters”.
A group called The Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarves led by the actress – with the support of the American Muslim Women PAC – has put out a nationwide call for people to wear headscarves in the style of a hijab during Donald Trump’s inauguration day, which she calls “the most destructive night for America.”
Najimy, best known for her roles in the Sister Act movies and as a voice on TV’s King of the Hill, told People magazine that “I saw a woman with an hijab, and I thought, how can she know that I support her without going up and embarrassing her? So I thought, what if we wore them on Inauguration Day?”
“All issues of freedom and human rights are important to me, and I’m not a religious person or a person who supports any particular religion, but I believe in rights as a citizen, in American rights. And I believe, as the constitution says, the right to worship however you choose,” added the San Diego-born Najimi, who is of Lebanese descent.
The actress claims she had been looking for a way to make a difference on Inauguration day. In the press release, she said: “We wanted to create an action: visible and easy — to proclaim our commitment to freedom of religion and to the constitution … religion or no religion.”
“We support every woman’s right to worship as they wish and live in security and peace.”
She also emphasized that the purpose of this action is show support religious freedom rather than endorsing any particular religion. “We by no means are endorsing or aligning with ANY religious doctrine,“ Najimy claimed. “Simply stand for freedom. It’s easy, creates solidarity and puts some hope into the hearts of Americans who feel unjustly threatened.”
“On the eve of what I think is the most destructive night for America, I want to encourage everyone to do something, to let their voice be heard.”
The social media didn’t react well to the actress’ call to wear hijabs during the inauguration. A Twitter user with more than 20 thousand followers said: “Do you even understand what you’re doing here? What is the point of the women’s march if you want to set us back a few hundred centuries?”
“This picture alone is an oxymoron and highly offensive – America stands for freedom – not oppression!” another person seconded. “Great, but consider also lending your support to Muslim who do not wear the veil, or wish they didn’t but fear reprisal,” responded a user called Mike.
