Women Behind Mawadda: a Hygienic Hijab for Muslim Healthcare Workers

To protect Muslim hospital staff and employees, healthcare specialists Yasmin Samatar and Faraoli Adam set out to create a specific variety of hygienic hijabs.

TwinCities.com reports that the two ladies, who are both 29 years old, identified a gap in the market when they learned that Muslim women like themselves couldn’t obtain protective gear. The two discovered the relevance of producing sterilized head covers while exploring and working in cities that had experienced a significant increase in COVID-19 cases.

« COVID is deadly, and we all got familiar with PPE. But Muslim healthcare workers were left out because nobody thought about it, » Adam said.

To make the required preparations for starting their business, the women took a leave of absence in 2021. Samatar and Adam raised $10,000 in the fall after finding a source.

After much experimentation, they chose disposable designs. The first style, the Zanub, has an elastic band around the face area that can be adjusted and easily pulled over.

The Ikram wrap, the other style, is a universally sized garment. Rammy Mohamed of Ramadahn Designs created the artwork.

The two started their company totally on their own, and they obtained FDA Compliance to make sure the hijabs adhered to safety regulations. » We definitely called the FDA line like all the time, » Adam said.

« We had to learn a whole new language, » added Samatar. « We’re health care workers; we’re not from the business side. So that was a different world of its own. »

They preferred testing the product by arranging different focus groups. « We had to find the right material, so it’s not too hot or thick, but also not too sheer and meets hijabi modesty standards, » Samatar said.

They plan o sell their hijabs to hospitals, but healthcare workers can purchase products at discounted rates online at usmawadda.com. « Most people are shocked that this isn’t already provided in hospitals. And the recent push for diversity and inclusion helped us, » Samatar said. « It’s created by us, for us. But having culturally appropriate protection won’t just affect us; it will affect everyone under the care of a Muslim woman: patients, families, and communities, » Samatar said.

According to business data on their website, Mawadda’s reach has increased since its formal launch on Nov. 9 and now spans the globe, with 30% of its users coming from France. Additionally, people in China and the United Kingdom can access their websites.

« It’s just been crazy. It was like — we didn’t think about how it would reach this many people, » Adam said. « Everybody had the same story. »

Samatar continues to work night shifts and is currently Mawadda’s only two full-time employee along with Adam. They claimed that Ramadahn Designs and their neighborhood have been wonderfully supportive and helpful.

« We have some family members and close friends in case we need extra work from here to there, » Adam said. « They’re always stepping in. »

The two hope that by supplying culturally appropriate protective clothing at hospitals, Muslims will feel more included and comfortable receiving medical care.

« It’s created by us, for us. But having culturally appropriate protection won’t just affect us; it will affect everyone under the care of a Muslim woman: patients, families, and communities, » Samatar said.