Proud to be pink

By Nicole Williams
MINARET College was a sea of pink for Global Pink Hijab Day recently.
Around 1000 students across the Springvale and Officer campuses of the Islamic school wore pink hijabs and bought pink ribbons to raise $2746 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation on 28 October.
“The day was extremely successful and everyone wore pink proudly,” Nisveta Sehavdic, a teacher and organiser of the day, said.
Global Pink Hijab Day is intended to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer, as well as promote a positive image of Muslim women wearing a hijab.
Students and teachers gathered last week for the official presentation of the donation by assistant principal Susie Hassan to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Ms Sehavdic initiated the fundraiser at the school to do something with girls proudly wearing their hijabs and positively contributing to the community.
“There was an electric atmosphere on the day,” she said.
Ms Sehavdic said everyone got into the spirit by wearing pink, including teachers and male students. Some were still proudly wearing pink days after the fundraiser.
Junior and male students wore pink ribbons and girls in Years 7 to 12 wore pink hijabs and made a gold coin donation.
A breast cancer survivor spoke to the students and a woman from Islamic background shared the story of her husband’s breast cancer.
“The girls were really shocked that it could happen to a man,” Ms Sehavdic said.
Years 10, 11 and 12 students also baked cakes and muffins to sell to students and teachers during recess and auctioned a cake to staff.