Calif. Muslims gather to discuss hijabs

FREMONT, Calif., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Two dozen Sikh and Muslim women gathered in Fremont, Calif., to discuss the discrimination they face because of the hijabs they wear, organizers said.

Individuals taking part in the recent gathering at a Fremont community center admitted facing negative stereotypes in U.S. society because they chose to wear their hijab, a traditional head covering worn by Muslim women, the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News said Sunday.

"Around Sept. 11 this year, I had someone call me a terrorist," Jasdeep Kaur, a Sikh Coalition in Fremont volunteer, said at Saturday's gathering. "We are visually standing out compared to everyone else."

"There's a lot of covert discrimination out there," Sikh Coalition director Harsimran Kaur said.

The Mercury News said San Jose resident Malika Khan told event attendees she once earned an apology after facing workplace harassment because of her hijab.

"By standing up for your rights," Khan said, "you do get results."