World Hijab Day won’t be celebrated in Fort McMurray this year.

The annual event, which is held every year on February 1, is being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We know this is a highly-anticipated event in our community and it breaks our hearts to cancel this year, but this is the right decision in light of the ongoing COVID situation,” said Sundas Shamshad, Vice President of the World Hijab Day Fort McMurray Committee.

“Accommodating hundreds of women who get to pick their own Hijabs as our gift at the event while maintaining social distancing as we assist them in trying on the Hijabs is just not feasible.”

In past years, the turnout has been quite high as many women from different faiths would come and try on the Islamic headscarf.

The committee is hoping to bring back the event in 2022.

Meanwhile, the World Hijab Day organization in New York is hosting a virtual conference on February 1, 2021, featuring renowned women speakers from across North America.