DEARBORN — On Sunday, June 8, more than 500 people attended an exposition of cultural and religious head wraps for both men and women at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Africans, and Arabs were all enlightened on the art of wrapping the head with stylish and colorful scarves. 

The Headwrap Expo celebrated the multi-ethnic styling of scarves and culture and was presented by the interfaith company Beautifully Wrapped. Beautifully Wrapped was founded to showcase the art form of head wrapping, to bring people of all cultures together and to promote beauty, spirituality and identity.

Zarinah El-Amin Naeem, founder of Beautifully Wrapped, said head wrapping is about spirituality. 

“This event is about more than fashion, it is about creating a global culture of love,” said El-Amin Naeem. “We endeavor to inspire, enlighten and empower women of all walks of life.”

One woman learned a lot from the expo.

“I brought my daughter with me and she was surprised to find that Jewish women cover and she has never heard of [the] Sikh [faith] before,” said Aliciajewel Bayi. “We are going to learn more about other religions that also cover their head.”

During an interfaith panel, representatives of each religion spoke of their own perception of scarves and turbans. 

“The West’s perspective is misunderstood on hijabs and turbans, they think we are wearing a bomb,” said Imam Elahi, leader of the Islamic House of Wisdom. 

Over 40 vendors showcased scarf designs of Muslim hijab and khimar, Jewish tichel, Nigerian Gele, and Sikh turbans. Attendees had the chance to shop for beauty and wellness products, jewelry, books and clothing. 

A catwalk was set up in the middle of the hall for the many fashion shows that occurred during the event. 

U-M Dearborn Muslim students had a booth for non-hijabis to try on the hijab and understand the concept of head wrapping. 

“When people realize the hijab is a universal concept, it is much easier to comprehend,” said Dana Mohammed, a member of Students for Islamic Awareness. “In America, we feel as if it is only Muslims who wear the hijab and it is an Islamic thing; but when we attended the Headwrap Expo, we understand that it is not a foreign concept.” 

Headwrap Expo will have its next show in New York on Sunday, Nov. 9.