Red poppies have become the national symbol of remembrance for the British people. Every year they are pinned to people’s jackets in an act of respect for those who died fighting for Britain in the two World Wars as well as other conflicts.
But what many people forget is that 400,000 Muslims fought alongside the British during World War I, not to mention those on subsequent battlefields.
In an effort to raise awareness of their efforts and sacrifice last year, a Muslim student at the London College of Fashion named Tabinda-Kauser Ishaq designed a poppy-patterned hijab. This year, demand is so high that the Royal British Legion— the organization which orchestrates the Poppy Appeal - has taken over production.
Tabinda’s motivation was not only to allow Muslims to show their pride in being British, but also to inform the British public of the history of Muslims fighting for the UK..
However, not everyone has been so supportive. Some Muslims are refusing to wear a hijab decorated with the poppy, which they feel represents British imperialism. There is also the question of whether Muslim women would feel pressured into buying one in order to prove themselves as British—something those of other faiths might not worry about. Check out some of the responses below. Via Twitter.
I'm oppressed if I wear a hijab but if I don't wear a poppy one, I'm an extremist? Bloody hell
— Idil (@wihakaydah) November 8, 2015No, I won't wear the "Poppy Hijab" to prove I'm not an Islamic extremist https://t.co/JFLrY4ghFJ
— Pakkashmir (@khalwatnashini) November 10, 2015(1) I'm not a moron; (2) I don't commemorate wars; (3) political gimmicks aren't an indicator of my "Britishness". https://t.co/WqhOZSsrMM
— Mehreen Ali (@mehrumezza) November 9, 2015By Kane Hippisley-Gatherum
