Unicode approves hijab, breastfeeding emoji for 2017 update

The Consortium also may consider adding an emoji of a male headscarf

The Unicode Consortium has announced the approval of 51 new emojis that include the much anticipated hijab emoji along with a prayer emoji for Muslims. The shortlisted emojis are expected to be encoded in the upcoming Unicode 10 next year.

The 51 new emojis also feature a woman breastfeeding a baby, a bearded man and a woman practicing yoga.



The hijab emoji was first introduced by Rayouf Alhumedhi, a 15-year-old Muslim girl who submitted a proposal to Unicode. The emoji featured on Unicode’s proposal looks remarkably similar to that of Alhumedhi’s.

The Consortium also notes that it may consider adding an emoji of a male headscarf or keffiyah predominantly worn by men in the Middle East.



Emojis a have become a crucial way of communication in the digital age where millions use them to convey feelings and appearance.

The inclusion of the hijab emoji was welcomed on Twitter as a triumph for diversity.

https://twitter.com/ridhahassoun/status/796894466233790464

https://twitter.com/Dazed/status/797159461055926272

https://twitter.com/panja47/status/796868644978331648

It is worth mentioning that the emojis, though approved, may not make it to the final version of Unicode 10 and can vary in design shown in Unicode’s documentation.