'Sick to my stomach': Bella Hadid supports Otago school girl who had hijab ripped off
The 2016 'Model of the Year,' Bella Hadid expressed her displeasure with the rudeness and abuse endured by 17-year-old Hoda Al-Jamaa to her over 50 million Instagram followers. "It makes me angry and sick to my stomach," Hadid expressed her displeasure. "We need to change this mindset of immediate judgement."
Hoda was seated with her pals at Otago Girl's High School when three other students taunted them by asking them how to swear in Arabic. After being attacked and having her hijab taken off while others recorded her, the situation worsened, and Hoda ended herself in the hospital.
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Hadid wrote on her Instagram post, "Teach our friends, children, parents, families that wearing a hijab, being Muslim, or being anything other than white in general, does not equal being a threat or different than anyone else. Teach them to love before hate. To educate before judgement. To protect before bullying."
Hadid expressed her condolences and support for Hoda and her other Muslim friends who were also attacked in the post as she wrote, "I am so sorry to the ones that have felt this kind of disrespect. You do not deserve it. Keep your faith. Love your God. Be you. And the ones who appreciate and love you for YOU are the only ones that matter. It’s not you, it’s them. Remember that. I love you."
Hadid is outspoken about her Muslim faith, describing herself as a "proud Muslim." Her father is Palestinian and her mother is Dutch, and she was born in the United States. She is a strong supporter of Muslim rights and has recently made headlines for criticizing countries that prohibit women from wearing hijabs.
Hoda's post has gone viral, with many people sharing similar stories, offering support, and expressing compassion. On Change.org, a petition demanding that Otago Girl's High School address the event has nearly 50,000 signatures as of the date of writing. The petition states, "There is no room left for hatred and bigotry… Schools must take responsibility for addressing bullying and racially charged verbal and physical abuse. Let's stand together to bring justice for Hoda and the other Muslim girls who were attacked."
On Friday evening, Otago Girl's High School released a statement on Facebook detailing the event. "As a School Board, we take very seriously our responsibility for the emotional and physical safety of our students, staff and wider community," the statement said.
The school board finished its formal disciplinary process around the incident following the inquiry into the attack, it added, working together with the Ministry of Education and police. The school stated that they are unable to share the results but are satisfied that the necessary steps have been made.