Hands Off Our Hijabs!

Hands Off Our Hijabs! was a student-led campaign co-created through our Muslim Girls Fence project to challenge uniform policies that prevented Muslim girls from wearing their hijabs during PE and dance lessons. For many, the hijab is a symbol of faith, joy, and resistance, and being told to remove it causes direct harm - making them feeling excluded and discouraged from taking part in sports. Everyone should have the right to practise their religion how they want and wear what makes them feel comfortable.

To make their voices heard, the students designed the Hand Off Our Hijabs! campaign which involved designing their own hijabs and creating a photography booklet that gathered petition signatures calling for school policy change. The campaign and petition were presented to the Senior Leadership Team, who acknowledged the girls’ needs, and in response, incorporated a sports hijab into the PE uniform the following year.

This collaboration gave teachers deeper insight into the realities of Muslim girls and highlighted the importance of hearing their voices and respecting their needs. Through their leadership, the girls involved in the campaign gained confidence and agency to stand up for their right to practise their faith, paving the way for more inclusive practices that continue to benefit others.