The Redmond-based Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS) will host an event on “The Hijab (Headscarf): What do Muslim women and men really think about it?” from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 at Lake Hills Library, 15590 Lake Hills Blvd., Bellevue.

Admission is free and open to the public. The event will feature multimedia presentations, focused short talks, opportunities for open dialogue and refreshments.

“MAPS I & O (Interfaith and Outreach) committee hosts open houses and events inviting people from different backgrounds to explore and learn about different topics of Islam,” said MAPS I & O media coordinator Ghada Ellithy.

“Hijab is by far the most misunderstood aspect of Islam,” Ellithy noted. “Did you ever ask or wonder why many Muslim women wear Hijab? Is it a form of oppression, or spiritual belief and liberation?”

MAPS was founded in 2006 to provide Islamic education, social and cultural services to the Muslim community in the region and to clarify the teachings of Islam to inquiring non-Muslims.

For more information, e-mail outreach@mapsredmond.org or visit www.mapsredmond.org.