Muslim fashion designer creates rainbow hijab to support same-sex marriage
A Muslim fashion designer has released a rainbow hijab to show support for same-sex marriage.
The Australian company, MOGA, released the rainbow headscarf in support of LGBT rights.
A battle is currently raging for same-sex marriage in Australia as a postal plebiscite took place over the issue.
Moga rainbow scarf
In a statement, the company said it wanted to offer support for same-sex marriage, emphasising the weight of the public vote.
The statement said: “During one of the most critical and important times in our nation’s history, we at MOGA are proud to voice our support for marriage equality in Australia.
“Our love and adoration towards the LGBTIQ community is strong and we have designed a limited edition rainbow striped Pride scarf in honor of their strength, bravery and inclusive spirit.”
The scarf is available in the ASOS boutique for the South Yarra-based company.
Retailing at around £42, the headscarf is printed on silk crepe de chine.
The founder of MOGA, Azahn Munas, said: “Like with our previous designs, our Pride scarf can be worn anyone, regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.
“To demonstrate this, we have even draped it as a hijab, a world first, to acknowledge that members of the LGBTIQ community exist in ALL religions, including Islam, which is sadly one of the most homophobic in the world.”
Adding: “At the end of the day, everyone should feel proud of who they are, regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation,” Munas added, “and everyone deserves the right to love, and be loved in return.”
The company has become known for making political statements through its designs.
It previously released an Australia Day collection which promoted diversity.
Its ‘More than Meat’ collection includes a print made of raw meat.
The company says the collection meant to demonstrate that women are “not just a piece of meat.”
meat scarf moga
MOGA also donates 20 percent of profits to the CARE foundation, which encourages access to education for girls in Pakistan.
There has been a bigger turnout in Australia’s same-sex marriage postal survey than in the UK’s Brexit referendum.
78% of eligible Australians have now cast their vote in the non-binding ballot on marriage rights.
The vote has no legal basis and will merely inform MPs when the issue is permitted to go before Parliament.
Meanwhile 72% voted in the UK’s referendum on the European Union, in which Leave won by a 4% margin and the result is being implemented as the “will of the people”.
Voters have until 7 November to return their ballots, before results will be announced on 15 November.
Australia’s Coalition government, led by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, is deeply divided on equal marriage.
The Nationals and a powerful right-wing faction of the Liberals – including prominent members of Turnbull’s Cabinet – are strongly opposed to equal marriage, while centrists and the youth wing of the Liberals are in favour of reform.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 26: Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia addresses the crowd during the Bachar Houli Programs 2017 AFL Eid Celebration at Punt Road Oval on June 26, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
The public vote was only called by Turnbull – a lukewarm supporter of equal marriage – as a compromise between the two groups after MPs began openly discussing a leadership challenge or rebellion against him.
However, punting the issue to the public does not mean that the rift has gone away, and the bill is likely to run into extreme difficulties in Parliament.
The government recently lost its one-seat majority in the House of Representatives, which means the voice of the opposition Labor Party, which supports LGBT rights, could be key when the bill moves forward.
Turnbull had previously claimed that same-sex couples could be married by the end of the year if the plebiscite, which concludes in two weeks, is affirmative. Experts consider this unlikely.
