This is how you can support breast-cancer awareness

The MJC Women’s Forum, in association with the Shakier Foundation, will host a Pink Hijab Day Picnic to honour women diagnosed with breast cancer as well as to educate women to go for regular breast exams on Wednesday, 25th October. 

Pink Hijab Day is an international initiative that began as an experiment by founder, Hend El-Buri and a group of high school students in Missouri, United States. It was intended to remove stereotypes of Muslim women by having them engage in dialogue about breast cancer awareness, joining walks in groups while wearing pink headscarves, and holding other events promoting awareness and support for the cause. Global Pink Hijab Day is held annually on the last Wednesday of October.

Here are some tips on what you can do as an individual to raise awareness on Breast Cancer.

Importance of being supportive of community members with breast cancer

• Financial support. Many Muslims are uninsured. Financial support should be made available to help people get adequate health care.
• Emotional support.

The role of the caregivers is so important in all aspects of the cancer patient’s life. We salute them for their tireless efforts. 

Importance of being an involved member of society

• We need to be an involved member of the broader society, especially in supporting campaigns that have a positive impact on our society (health issues, morality issues, etc.).
• Stress the importance of looking at one’s body as a trust from Almighty Allah. Taking preventative steps and improving one’s health IS something that Almighty Allah will reward us for, given the right intentions.
• Breast cancer is one of the most easily treatable cancers if diagnosed early. We should do our part to take care of our bodies (i’qil), then leave the rest on Allah SWT (tawakkul).

Overcoming stigmas that make us shy away from discussing matters

• Cancer patients should know and feel that their Muslim brothers and sisters are there to support them in their health crisis.
• It is not taboo to have breast cancer.
• Cancer patients should not suffer silently thinking this is nobler. We should not complain or despair in Almighty Allah’s mercy, but also be aware that Almighty Allah encourages brotherhood and sisterhood and the support therein.
• During the time of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), he used to praise the women of Medina for not shying away from asking questions in order to learn and better themselves. We should not shy away from educating ourselves and those around us.

Know yourself

• As Muslims, we must always be in the mindset of seeking knowledge
• Each person should strive to know the basics of how the body works, organs and their functions, and how the foods we eat can adversely affect them.

Reliance on Allah (tawakkul)

• Each of us should know that this life is a test and that each of us will be tested
• Think about how you would react given different crisis, and train yourself to always be prepared so when a test comes you are ready.