Headscarf Day: Pokrov and the Hijab - a Shared Tradition
Assalamu alaikum. Today the Orthodox celebrate the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos - an event that in Rus' was always linked to the custom of covering the head. It’s a topic close to us Muslims too: modest covering is part of the faith in many Abrahamic religions.
The history of the feast goes back to the life of Andrew the Fool-for-Christ: during an all-night service he saw the Virgin Mary, who appeared in the air and held a cover over those praying - the maphorion, the traditional shawl women wore over the inner scarf. In icons the outer shawl is in Mary’s hands, while her head remains covered.
For Muslims this resonates with the idea of the hijab - a covering that hides the hair and neck from strangers’ eyes. Clergy of different confessions have at times urged people not to abandon the headscarf as a divine ordinance; one archbishop even said outright that refusing the headscarf was turning away from God’s will and that people would answer for their deeds before God.
Unfortunately, there’s also mockery directed at women who wear the headscarf - some call them rude, disrespectful names. But we Muslims have our pride and understanding that modesty is a form of fear and respect toward Allah.
Islam appeared in the 7th century and gave people the idea of submitting to the will of Allah - hence the word “Islam.” Today this religion unites more than a billion people worldwide.
Let this day be a reason to think about modesty and mutual respect. Salam and goodness to all.
https://islamnews.ru/2025/10/1