- New Yorkers showed their solidarity with Muslim women on World Hijab Day at a rally at City Hall
- Muslims and non-Muslims alike donned stars and stripes headscarves in a show of solidarity
- Fifth annual event takes place just days after President Donald Trump issued his 'Muslim travel ban'
- Day was created by New York resident, Nazma Khan, who hoped it would help foster religious tolerance
- It invites non-Muslims to experience what it is like to wear the hijab - a head covering -
New Yorkers showed their solidarity with Muslim women today by donning stars and stripes headscarves at rally on World Hijab Day - just days after President Trump's controversial travel ban.
Dozens of women gathered on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday on the fifth year of the annual event. It was created by New York resident, Nazma Khan, who hoped it would help foster religious tolerance and understanding by inviting both non-Muslims and Muslims to experience the hijab for one day.
Today it has become an international event, with women all over America and the world experiencing the realities of wearing a hijab - a head covering worn by some Muslim women in the presence of men who are not their immediate family members.
In New York, NYPD officers Aml Elsokary and Maritza Morales, both donned the American flag headscarves for World Hijab Day
Sophia Herron wears an American Flag head scarf at an event at City Hall for World Hijab Day on February 1, 2017 in New York City
The day was started five years ago when a Muslim in New York invited other women to experience what it is like to wear a hijab every day in America. The day is now celebrated in cities around the world
Dozens of women gathered on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday on the fifth year of the annual event
New York officials have endorsed the event in the face of a soaring number of hate crimes in recent months.
Attacks on Muslims have tripled in the past year, with many Muslim women reporting experiences of abuse when they wear their traditional headscarves.
Just last week, Asma Elhuni, a Muslim American, claims she suffered racial stereotyping after a man branded her a 'b***h' and demanded to know if she had a green card during a confrontation at an Atlanta coffee house.
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