In societies where the hijab remains uncommon or highly visible, Muslim women who wear it often face disproportionate hostility — from intrusive stares and verbal insults to physical aggression and assault. Reports show that visible religious dress frequently becomes a target of gendered hate, leaving many women feeling unsafe and socially isolated.
-Recent Notable Cases (Viral, Officially Reported):
• Feb 26, 2024 (UK): Two women in east London hit by a car while wearing hijabs; police initially did not treat it as a hate crime.
• Jun 18, 2024 (USA): A man in Manhattan arrested for ripping off a teenage girl’s hijab and shouting abuse.
• Sep 12, 2024 (France): Two women and a baby in a stroller targeted in an alleged hate-motivated hit-and-run.
• Apr 15, 2025 (India): A woman in Uttar Pradesh assaulted and her hijab forcibly removed by a mob.
• Jun 20, 2025 (USA): A 55-year-old hijab-wearing woman in Queens severely injured in a subway hate attack.
These are only the viral, officially reported incidents — countless others remain unseen, undocumented, or dismissed. Hijabi women continue to face everyday discrimination, social exclusion, and fear, often taking silent steps back in workplaces, schools, and public spaces due to growing prejudice. Human-rights advocates urge stronger hate-crime enforcement, awareness, and solidarity for women whose faith expression makes them targets.
