Y: What does the hijab mean to you?
F: The hijab, for me, is a constant symbol of my faith and beliefs. I wear this garment because of my connection with a power much higher than myself that I put my faith into. It connects me with Muslim women all over the globe and even when I feel as though no one knows what I'm going through, I feel a sense of solidarity with other visibly Muslim women.
Y: How old were you when you started wearing the hijab and was it a personal choice?
F: I had just turned 13 years old. It was the summer between eighth grade and f9th grade. I chose to wear it as a former student at a private K-8 Muslim school where I was constantly surrounded by other girls wearing hijab as it was a part of the uniform for fifth graders and up until eighth graders. Also, both of my older sisters and mother wore the hijab. Thinking back on it, I had sort of jumped into the decision without really thinking about how it may affect the rest of my life. I have been a hijabi for four years now and I'm so happy about MY choice!
Y: How does wearing the hijab affect your everyday life?
F: First impressions are difficult for me. There seems to be this instant assumption that I'm less qualified than my peers, will have a hard time understanding English, or that I have been oppressed at home. There is also, of course, the snide "Go back to your country!" or "Towelhead!" But I feel that my hijab has thickened my skin in a way I can't even begin to describe. With every new challenge, I become even more emboldened to prove everyone who doubted me wrong.
Y: Do you feel like wearing the hijab gets in the way of certain opportunities?
F: As I stated above, I feel as though I have always had to work much harder than others to achieve the same things my peers have. My mother told me when I first started wearing hijab that others would immediately look down on me because of the fact that I am visibly Muslim, black, and a woman. She also instilled in me a sense of fearlessness and unwavering confidence in both my faith and myself. The hard truth of this made me understand the importance of working harder than those around me in order to achieve my goals.
Y: Do you take into account the way you style your hijab according to your outfits or do you wear it the same way every day?
F: I typically wear my hijab the same style as I do in the photos. Sometimes I may wear a turban or style it so it is a little looser around the neck to show off my earrings.
Y: When it comes to the fashion industry, do you think hijabis are underrepresented?
F: Definitely! I don't think I have ever seen a hijabi modeling for any brands that I buy clothing from. Obviously, with models like Halima Aden and the rising popularity of online boutiques by Muslim women and for Muslim women, this is changing. However, I think we're still a little while away from seeing a hijabi in the next H&M winter collection.
Y: In the picture above, where is your outfit from and how does it represent your style?
F: The hijab I wore is one of my favorites! When I say that I wear this scarf way too often, I'm not exaggerating. My aunt bought it for me in Dubai. My shirt is from Forever21, my jeans from American Eagle and my shoes from Old Navy. I tend to wear outfits like this often. I like when my hijab is the center of the outfit and everything else compliments it!
Y: What hardships have you faced wearing the hijab and what have you learned from it?
F: The biggest hardship that I have faced is other people's perceptions on my religion and my personal freedoms. People tend to assume that nothing I do is out my own free will, that I'm oppressed and waiting for someone to come save me. People also tend to assume that I'm not a true American. The only place I've lived beside Columbus is Toronto! (Go Maple Leafs!). The thing that annoys me the most about being a hijabi is the way people think I should behave as a hijabi.
Y: What advice would you give to someone who just started wearing hijab?
F: Remember that God wouldn't give you a challenge that you couldn't face. No matter what, understand that if you don't think hijab is right for you or if you live in a place where you don't feel safe wearing the hijab, it's okay to take it off! Stay true to yourself, always.
Y: If you could tell everyone one thing about hijab, what would it be?
F: This is MY choice and I love it! Also, I can hear you perfectly fine and I do have hair!
Y :What is one stereotype about Muslim women you want to erase?
F: That we're meek and backseat to our own lives. We are capable, strong, extraordinary, faithful, resilient, navigators of two worlds, courageous, intelligent and we happen to be Muslim! Being Muslim and exhibiting those chose characteristics are NOT mutually exclusive.
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