To uphold Hijab is a religious duty and wearing Zainabiya Abaya represents the highest values of perfection and sublimity that symbolizes the Hijab of the Lady of Purity and Sanctity, Our Lady  Fatima Al-Zahra (SA).

In order to establish and support this Islamic authentic culture of wearing Abaya in the university communities, and under the auspices of the KHS Secretary General, Dr. Haider H. Al-Shammari, the KHS Secretariat General held the 1st Festival of Umm Abiha ‘the mother of her father’, under the slogan of “Lady Fatima Zahra is the Lady of Chastity and Hijab”, to honor more than (2000) Female Undergraduate Students who wear Abaya.

The festival was attended by the representative of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, colleges deans, a group of academics and professors, and a number of female universities’ students.

The event was started with some verses of the Holy Quran and was followed by the KHS Secretariat General Speech delivered by its Secretary General, who said, “Lady Zahraa (SA) is an excellent role model for us to follow. Today we gather near Imamain Kadhimain (AS) in the First Festival of Umm Abiha, following efforts, coordination with universities' managements was made to register the names of female students that wear Abaya, and due to the initiative's value and in promoting it, some private colleges were also included.”

He added that it must be pointed out that the outward veil, which God Almighty commanded women to abide by, must be accompanied by another important veil, which is the inner veil that shields a person from sins and disobeying God. Likewise, the two veils are complementary to one another, and only when they are observed together does the genuine veil take on its real essence.

During the festival, many speeches were delivered, emphasizing the significance of the Hijab for women as it symbolizes the Islamic Identity, and praising the efforts made by the KHS Secretariat General in holding such events on account of their positive impacts on the Iraqi female student in our authentic community.

Al-Jawadain Chant Band also took part in the activities with a poem entitled “It's a pledge, Oh, Zahraa! I'll keep my Hijab”, and the event was concluded by gifting Abayas from the blessings of Imamain Kadhimain (AS) to the participating students.