On this Juneteenth long weekend we celebrate, Haqikah and Naima Abdullah — trendsetters, sisters, and entrepreneurs. These sisters are paving the way for reinvention. HAQ-NI, based in New York City, is transforming the traditional and simpler options for hijabs into something luxurious, high-quality, and fashionable. These hijabs are reimagining traditional scarves and empowering Muslim women by providing them with unique and stylish hijabs that allows them to feel both beautiful and confident. Their impact does not end there, as sustainability is an important aspect of their business, and making long-lasting scarves is a top priority. They are changing the game in fashion, and we can't wait to see what they do next. Please read our exclusive interview below with co-founders Haqikah and Naima Abdullah to learn more about HAQ-NI.

Where are you Based? Haqikah and Naima: We are based in New York City (all manufacturing of products are made in New York City).

What does HAQ-NI mean? What inspired the name? Naima: HAQ-NI is derived from a combination of our names Haqikah and Naima, which translate to “Truth” and “Bless” from Arabic, respectively. The inspiration came while we were sightseeing on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

As sisters and co-founders, what inspired you both to come together and create this brand? Haqikah: Growing up, Naima and I have always been close and constantly in collaboration. As sisters and co-founders, we are continuously bouncing ideas off each other and we are supporting one another. HAQ-NI was a natural progression for us as Muslim women. We wanted to create a brand that empowers Muslim women with luxurious and stylish scarves, which differ from the traditional unadorned scarves that predominantly take over Muslim women’s fashion.

As African American Muslim women, how are you bridging the gap in the lack of diversity in the market for hijabs? Haqikah and Naima: As African American Muslim women, we are bridging the gap in the lack of diversity in the market by using our identities as Muslims and African Americans to create designs that are unique to us and resonates with our DNA. Our brand HAQ-NI is a culmination of various cultures enhanced with an artistic flair. We’re motivated to bridge the gap by designing scarves which have actual design such as attached fabrics, zippers and ribbons; which makes our scarves versatile.

Where are your products made? Haqikah: Our products are manufactured in New York City. We’re fortunate enough to work with talented seamstresses and production teams that help make our vision into reality.

Photo of Haqikah Abdullah and Naima Abdullah. Photography by Alexei Hay.

Do you pull any inspiration from the style in NYC? Haqikah: Of course, we pull inspiration from the city and fashion in NYC. Naima and I grew up in Chicago, but when I moved to New York seventeen-years-ago, I gradually formed my current fashion sense with the influence of the culture, people, and city. The city holds an abundance of history and life within it, and it’s palpable. From art museums to the local New Yorkers flashing their style, there’s constant motivation to enhance one’s personal style.

What are your products made from? Naima: Our staple hijabs/scarves are made from plush bamboo and our “Layla” scarves are made of high-end silk.

The hijabs on your website are very transformational. What is your inspiration when designing them?
Naima: Our inspiration for HAQ-NI scarves truly comes from the knowledge of fashion that we’ve curated throughout our lives. We've been inspired by so many artists, from fashion brands to fine artists. We’ve been fortunate enough to pick up influence from the resources given to us. Each design holds a piece of what we believed the hijabs that we wore were missing. For example, in many of our scarves one can find adorned ends on each side of the scarf. Our inspiration comes from our realization that some scarves were stuck on uniformity and simplicity. We wanted to break through that common design and replace it with what we deem as new and sleek.

Why is it important to have unique hijabs? Haqikah: It’s important to have unique hijabs to remind Muslim women that they are important and seen within the fashion industry. It’s vital it emphasize that there is a market for us and that there are people working to perfect hijabs, to make hijab wearing Muslim women feel that their style is valuable. Dressing modestly isn’t the end of one’s self-expression through fashion. Yet, it's the beginning of a new journey, where choosing one’s clothes is mediated and purposeful. We want to be the hijab brand women come to when they want to find scarves that are crafted to match their sense of style.

Hijabs are often thought to be used to hide one’s beauty, but your designs are very eye-catching. How has the Muslim community responded to them? Haqikah and Naima: Hijabs are meant to conceal Muslim women’s beauty, humble ourselves upon God, and to protect us from any harm. As humans there is a natural desire to feel beautiful and HAQ-NI wants to be an anchor for Muslim women to be modest, while feeling elegant and graceful. The Muslim community has response well to our brand because there is an understanding that HAQ-NI isn’t trying to defy Allah (God). Our aim is to maintain modesty by making hijabs that help women feel exquisite without jeopardizing our beliefs.

Do you have any retail locations? Where can our readers buy from you? Naima: HAQ-NI products are available through our website www.HAQ-NI.com, with shipping currently only in the United States of America . Currently, we’re solely based online, but we’re working towards becoming accessible in retail locations.

Jejune loves that your brand makes products that are made to last! Why is this aspect important to you?
Haqikah: Making high quality pieces is very important to us because we’ve become accustomed to hijabs that tarnish rapidly. Over time, it’s common for hijabs to become rough from their once plush feeling. When starting HAQ-NI, one of our missions was to create scarves that one could cherish and pass down to loved ones.

How is HAQ-NI working to become more sustainable? Haqikah and Naima: As business owners, we are aware of the importance of providing sustainable products and our role to reduce our carbon footprint. HAQ-NI isn’t aiming for financial gain at the expense of adding to the harm that is inflicted on the earth. As a young company, we listen to our consumers and look to address any shortcomings to become a better company. We are also not a bottom-line company. And to practice sustainability, our products are not fast fashion, and we don’t produce on a mass scale. Our products are manufactured gradually over time, to perfect each piece without waste. Our bamboo scarves Ali, Aza and Ala, and silk scarves, Layla, are durable, versatile, and made to last. I would compare HAQ-NI products to wedding dresses, because of our product's durability and uniqueness, some could be compelled to maintain HAQ-NI’s designs. As we aim towards our goal of becoming a global company, we recognize our responsibility as global citizens and business owners to put forth our best effort and hold ourselves accountable.

Do you have any environmentally or socially responsible goals that you would like to achieve in the next 5-10 years? Haqikah: In 5-10 years, we’d like to achieve 100 percent sustainability and be a top example of luxury hijabs. To show that modesty can be freshening and innovative, and as a presentation that Muslim women can dress confidently.

How can our readers best support black-owned businesses? Naima: Readers can best support black-owned businesses by sharing the brands that they love and share brands that others would appreciate. Support can be more than purchasing, but showing love on social media, and with friends and family.

How are you staying positive during the current wave of the pandemic? Haqikah and Naima: We’ve been able to stay positive by seeing our healthy siblings, parents, and children. The pandemic can affect people of any age, so we’re very grateful that our family is healthy.

Any tips for growing businesses still struggling with the pandemic? Haqikah and Naima: Our advice for growing businesses struggling with the pandemic is to stay consistent and do what you can. It’s important to know that some things are beyond our control. For us, doing what we could and putting our best foot forward was vital. And left us feeling accomplished at the end of the day.

What does your new normal look like? Haqikah: Many changes happened during the pandemic, both personally and globally. Our new normal consists of forming new routines and figuring out ways that HAQ-NI runs as a partnership. A lot of the work involves compromise and adaptation.

What is your brand motto? Haqikah and Naima: Our motto is to graciously persevere through challenges.

To stay up to date and shop HAQ-NI products please follow their social media and visit their website via the platforms below:
Instagram: @haqnioffical
Website: www.HAQ-NI.com TikTok: @haqniofficial
Twitter: @FashionHaq

HAQ-NI- Paving the Way for Reinvention