anything so this in my hand is a piece of fabric if I were asked to describe it
of fabric if I were asked to describe it
of fabric if I were asked to describe it I would say it’s a couple yards of
I would say it’s a couple yards of
I would say it’s a couple yards of material very lightweight very pretty
material very lightweight very pretty
material very lightweight very pretty sky-blue color other than that it’s not
sky-blue color other than that it’s not
sky-blue color other than that it’s not very remarkable or extraordinary this
very remarkable or extraordinary this
very remarkable or extraordinary this piece of fabric is called the hijab it
piece of fabric is called the hijab it
piece of fabric is called the hijab it is worn by many different women around
is worn by many different women around
is worn by many different women around the world and it looks like if there’s a
the world and it looks like if there’s a
the world and it looks like if there’s a delay it’s worn by many different women
delay it’s worn by many different women
delay it’s worn by many different women around the world many Muslim women
around the world many Muslim women
around the world many Muslim women around the world and it is and arguably
around the world and it is and arguably
around the world and it is and arguably one of the most powerful articles of
one of the most powerful articles of
one of the most powerful articles of clothing that exists it elicits a wide
clothing that exists it elicits a wide
clothing that exists it elicits a wide range of emotions both positive and
range of emotions both positive and
range of emotions both positive and negative and it’s debated time and again
negative and it’s debated time and again
negative and it’s debated time and again by both women who do and don’t wear it
by both women who do and don’t wear it
by both women who do and don’t wear it and the men who like to dictate the
and the men who like to dictate the
and the men who like to dictate the woman how to dress it has been banned in
woman how to dress it has been banned in
woman how to dress it has been banned in some public spaces and public
some public spaces and public
some public spaces and public universities in some countries and for
universities in some countries and for
universities in some countries and for better or for worse it is an essential
better or for worse it is an essential
better or for worse it is an essential part of my American Muslim identity one
part of my American Muslim identity one
part of my American Muslim identity one of the best parts about it is I never
of the best parts about it is I never
of the best parts about it is I never have to worry about a bad hair day to
have to worry about a bad hair day to
have to worry about a bad hair day to the communities that I advocate for I am
the communities that I advocate for I am
the communities that I advocate for I am a social justice activist my name is
a social justice activist my name is
a social justice activist my name is aina and to the barista at the Starbucks
aina and to the barista at the Starbucks
aina and to the barista at the Starbucks down the street I’m Xena like the social
down the street I’m Xena like the social
down the street I’m Xena like the social wart the warrior justice princess I
wart the warrior justice princess I
wart the warrior justice princess I reassure myself and to my fifth grade
reassure myself and to my fifth grade
reassure myself and to my fifth grade elementary school teacher I am simply
elementary school teacher I am simply
elementary school teacher I am simply the letter Z my die syllabic foreign
the letter Z my die syllabic foreign
the letter Z my die syllabic foreign sounding name is simply too difficult to
sounding name is simply too difficult to
sounding name is simply too difficult to pronounce in arabic my name means
pronounce in arabic my name means
pronounce in arabic my name means father’s pride or Father’s jewel and too
father’s pride or Father’s jewel and too
father’s pride or Father’s jewel and too many Americans who’ve never met a Muslim
many Americans who’ve never met a Muslim
many Americans who’ve never met a Muslim before
before
before my name means oppressed because they
my name means oppressed because they
my name means oppressed because they imagine the only way a woman would ever
imagine the only way a woman would ever
imagine the only way a woman would ever dress the way that I do especially one
dress the way that I do especially one
dress the way that I do especially one who’s been born raised and educated in
who’s been born raised and educated in
who’s been born raised and educated in the United States is if she’s forced but
the United States is if she’s forced but
the United States is if she’s forced but the reality is I chose to wear the
the reality is I chose to wear the
the reality is I chose to wear the headscarf when I was 19 years old and I
headscarf when I was 19 years old and I
headscarf when I was 19 years old and I became the first woman in my family to
became the first woman in my family to
became the first woman in my family to do so and I’ve never regretted the
do so and I’ve never regretted the
do so and I’ve never regretted the decision
decision
decision I am from Baltimore I often get asked
I am from Baltimore I often get asked
I am from Baltimore I often get asked where are you from and I say I’m from
where are you from and I say I’m from
where are you from and I say I’m from Baltimore and people say but no where
Baltimore and people say but no where
Baltimore and people say but no where are you really from and I say I’m from
are you really from and I say I’m from
are you really from and I say I’m from Baltimore and they get this confused
Baltimore and they get this confused
Baltimore and they get this confused look on their face as if somebody who
look on their face as if somebody who
look on their face as if somebody who looks like me who dresses like me could
looks like me who dresses like me could
looks like me who dresses like me could it possibly be from this diverse City
it possibly be from this diverse City
it possibly be from this diverse City but I promise you I am from Baltimore I
but I promise you I am from Baltimore I
but I promise you I am from Baltimore I that means I bleed purple I am a huge
that means I bleed purple I am a huge
that means I bleed purple I am a huge die-hard fan of the Baltimore Ravens and
die-hard fan of the Baltimore Ravens and
die-hard fan of the Baltimore Ravens and any team that defeats the Pittsburgh
any team that defeats the Pittsburgh
any team that defeats the Pittsburgh Steelers and my husband is from New
Steelers and my husband is from New
Steelers and my husband is from New Jersey
Jersey
Jersey we’ve been married six beautiful years
we’ve been married six beautiful years
we’ve been married six beautiful years and he’s taught me a lot about life for
and he’s taught me a lot about life for
and he’s taught me a lot about life for example in every marriage there are two
example in every marriage there are two
example in every marriage there are two people one person is always right and
people one person is always right and
people one person is always right and the other one is a husband a lot of
the other one is a husband a lot of
the other one is a husband a lot of people ask me how does your husband let
people ask me how does your husband let
people ask me how does your husband let you do the work that you do activism is
you do the work that you do activism is
you do the work that you do activism is not an easy job and I tell them to my
not an easy job and I tell them to my
not an easy job and I tell them to my mind I’m thinking they probably think
mind I’m thinking they probably think
mind I’m thinking they probably think Muslim men oppress Muslim women they
Muslim men oppress Muslim women they
Muslim men oppress Muslim women they tell them what to do what to go where to
tell them what to do what to go where to
tell them what to do what to go where to go what to do how to act and we actually
go what to do how to act and we actually
go what to do how to act and we actually enjoy an equal opportunity marriage
enjoy an equal opportunity marriage
enjoy an equal opportunity marriage sometimes that’s not so great when you
sometimes that’s not so great when you
sometimes that’s not so great when you have to pay the dinner bill
I’m not quite sure what the clicker it’s
I’m not quite sure what the clicker it’s not working so um even though I am a
not working so um even though I am a
not working so um even though I am a die-hard NFL fan this season I am on an
die-hard NFL fan this season I am on an
die-hard NFL fan this season I am on an NFL hiatus
NFL hiatus
NFL hiatus unlike the President of the United
unlike the President of the United
unlike the President of the United States I believe that sometimes standing
States I believe that sometimes standing
States I believe that sometimes standing for justice requires taking a knee and
for justice requires taking a knee and
for justice requires taking a knee and that’s not always a popular position to
that’s not always a popular position to
that’s not always a popular position to take but sometimes we have to stand on
take but sometimes we have to stand on
take but sometimes we have to stand on principle I am the proud daughter of
principle I am the proud daughter of
principle I am the proud daughter of immigrants back when Lady Liberty’s
immigrants back when Lady Liberty’s
immigrants back when Lady Liberty’s torch still burned bright and before the
torch still burned bright and before the
torch still burned bright and before the days of the Muslim ban or the expanded
days of the Muslim ban or the expanded
days of the Muslim ban or the expanded travel ban when our nation still
travel ban when our nation still
travel ban when our nation still welcomed immigrants my parents had the
welcomed immigrants my parents had the
welcomed immigrants my parents had the opportunity to come to the United States
opportunity to come to the United States
opportunity to come to the United States and settle and build a better life for
and settle and build a better life for
and settle and build a better life for themselves and their children
themselves and their children
themselves and their children collectively they’ve been working for
collectively they’ve been working for
collectively they’ve been working for almost five decades to help serve our
almost five decades to help serve our
almost five decades to help serve our nation’s veterans and their loved ones I
nation’s veterans and their loved ones I
nation’s veterans and their loved ones I grew up in a male-dominated Punjabi
grew up in a male-dominated Punjabi
grew up in a male-dominated Punjabi household so I have three brothers I’m
household so I have three brothers I’m
household so I have three brothers I’m the only girl
the only girl
the only girl and so I suffer from middle child
and so I suffer from middle child
and so I suffer from middle child syndrome only thai only sister only
syndrome only thai only sister only
syndrome only thai only sister only daughter two syndrome and probably a few
daughter two syndrome and probably a few
daughter two syndrome and probably a few other ones as well um but one thing my
other ones as well um but one thing my
other ones as well um but one thing my brother’s taught me early on was the
brother’s taught me early on was the
brother’s taught me early on was the importance of speaking up for yourself
importance of speaking up for yourself
importance of speaking up for yourself of using your voice to express yourself
of using your voice to express yourself
of using your voice to express yourself because if you’re not speaking up for
because if you’re not speaking up for
because if you’re not speaking up for yourself then others are speaking for
yourself then others are speaking for
yourself then others are speaking for you and you’re not always going to like
you and you’re not always going to like
you and you’re not always going to like what they have to say
so education was emphasized in our
so education was emphasized in our family growing up we never took a family
family growing up we never took a family
family growing up we never took a family vacation
vacation
vacation we often took trips to the local library
we often took trips to the local library
we often took trips to the local library and I loved to read we used to have
and I loved to read we used to have
and I loved to read we used to have bumper stickers in our home that read
bumper stickers in our home that read
bumper stickers in our home that read literacy begins at home and one of my
literacy begins at home and one of my
literacy begins at home and one of my favorite books that had a really
favorite books that had a really
favorite books that had a really transformative impact on me was the
transformative impact on me was the
transformative impact on me was the autobiography of malcolm x
autobiography of malcolm x
autobiography of malcolm x i read this when i was in high school
i read this when i was in high school
i read this when i was in high school and its really one of those books that
and its really one of those books that
and its really one of those books that kind of reaches inside of you it grabs
kind of reaches inside of you it grabs
kind of reaches inside of you it grabs hold of everything that you think you
hold of everything that you think you
hold of everything that you think you know and it shakes it and completely
know and it shakes it and completely
know and it shakes it and completely transforms your perception and it
transforms your perception and it
transforms your perception and it revolutionized my perspective on race
revolutionized my perspective on race
revolutionized my perspective on race and politics I went on to pharmacy
and politics I went on to pharmacy
and politics I went on to pharmacy school 9/11 happened when I was in first
school 9/11 happened when I was in first
school 9/11 happened when I was in first year of pharmacy school and those
year of pharmacy school and those
year of pharmacy school and those terrible tragic terror attacks helped
terrible tragic terror attacks helped
terrible tragic terror attacks helped shape the lives moving forward for all
shape the lives moving forward for all
shape the lives moving forward for all Americans but especially American
Americans but especially American
Americans but especially American Muslims I remember thinking to myself as
Muslims I remember thinking to myself as
Muslims I remember thinking to myself as a Muslim in America that life would
a Muslim in America that life would
a Muslim in America that life would never be the same again as a Muslim
never be the same again as a Muslim
never be the same again as a Muslim woman especially and it has not been we
woman especially and it has not been we
woman especially and it has not been we saw a spike in hate crimes and bias
saw a spike in hate crimes and bias
saw a spike in hate crimes and bias attacks targeting American Muslim
attacks targeting American Muslim
attacks targeting American Muslim communities there was a blanket of
communities there was a blanket of
communities there was a blanket of suspicion cast over American Muslim
suspicion cast over American Muslim
suspicion cast over American Muslim mosques and different houses of worship
mosques and different houses of worship
mosques and different houses of worship and it really led to a spike in
and it really led to a spike in
and it really led to a spike in anti-muslim bias in 2011 the Center for
anti-muslim bias in 2011 the Center for
anti-muslim bias in 2011 the Center for American Progress published a report if
American Progress published a report if
American Progress published a report if you’re incorporated and this is really a
you’re incorporated and this is really a
you’re incorporated and this is really a groundbreaking report because it
groundbreaking report because it
groundbreaking report because it highlighted that there was actually an
highlighted that there was actually an
highlighted that there was actually an Islamophobia industry within the United
Islamophobia industry within the United
Islamophobia industry within the United States that profited off of
States that profited off of
States that profited off of manufacturing fear and hatred against
manufacturing fear and hatred against
manufacturing fear and hatred against the simón Muslims and when I read this
the simón Muslims and when I read this
the simón Muslims and when I read this report it opened my eyes to the need as
report it opened my eyes to the need as
report it opened my eyes to the need as an American Muslim to speak out and be
an American Muslim to speak out and be
an American Muslim to speak out and be more visible and to push back against a
more visible and to push back against a
more visible and to push back against a lot of the misinformation that existed
lot of the misinformation that existed
lot of the misinformation that existed out there because just like how myself
out there because just like how myself
out there because just like how myself and many of
and many of
and many of many of you woke up every day we would
many of you woke up every day we would
many of you woke up every day we would go to work earn a salary to pay our
go to work earn a salary to pay our
go to work earn a salary to pay our bills there were people who were waking
bills there were people who were waking
bills there were people who were waking up every day and their job was to spread
up every day and their job was to spread
up every day and their job was to spread hatred and fear of Muslims in Hollywood
hatred and fear of Muslims in Hollywood
hatred and fear of Muslims in Hollywood there was a dominant narrative that was
there was a dominant narrative that was
there was a dominant narrative that was being promoted that Islam is inherently
being promoted that Islam is inherently
being promoted that Islam is inherently violent that Muslims are evil and that
violent that Muslims are evil and that
violent that Muslims are evil and that it’s okay to to have aggressive
it’s okay to to have aggressive
it’s okay to to have aggressive unconstitutional policies targeting our
unconstitutional policies targeting our
unconstitutional policies targeting our communities
communities
communities there was an activist and author his
there was an activist and author his
there was an activist and author his name was dr. Jack Shaheen and he
name was dr. Jack Shaheen and he
name was dr. Jack Shaheen and he published this book that really
published this book that really
published this book that really highlighted through thousands of films
highlighted through thousands of films
highlighted through thousands of films over a thousand films that he was
over a thousand films that he was
over a thousand films that he was cataloguing how the roles of Arabs and
cataloguing how the roles of Arabs and
cataloguing how the roles of Arabs and Muslims were being depicted and it
Muslims were being depicted and it
Muslims were being depicted and it really set this stereotypical image of
really set this stereotypical image of
really set this stereotypical image of Arabs and Muslims being a certain a
Arabs and Muslims being a certain a
Arabs and Muslims being a certain a certain way in a negative fashion a
certain way in a negative fashion a
certain way in a negative fashion a random quick point three six second
random quick point three six second
random quick point three six second Google search of Muslim woman would
Google search of Muslim woman would
Google search of Muslim woman would yield hundreds of thousands of results a
yield hundreds of thousands of results a
yield hundreds of thousands of results a woman who looked nothing like myself
woman who looked nothing like myself
woman who looked nothing like myself nothing like the many other amazing
nothing like the many other amazing
nothing like the many other amazing American Muslim woman that I knew but
American Muslim woman that I knew but
American Muslim woman that I knew but very frightening figures people who you
very frightening figures people who you
very frightening figures people who you know if we didn’t know much about Islam
know if we didn’t know much about Islam
know if we didn’t know much about Islam and Muslims it would be very easy to be
and Muslims it would be very easy to be
and Muslims it would be very easy to be turned off by these images and it was
turned off by these images and it was
turned off by these images and it was frightening to me that these were at the
frightening to me that these were at the
frightening to me that these were at the fingertips of the vast majority of
fingertips of the vast majority of
fingertips of the vast majority of American Muslims who didn’t didn’t know
American Muslims who didn’t didn’t know
American Muslims who didn’t didn’t know much about Islam and about people like
much about Islam and about people like
much about Islam and about people like myself one of the probably most
myself one of the probably most
myself one of the probably most disturbing aspects of the rise in
disturbing aspects of the rise in
disturbing aspects of the rise in Islamophobia was the impact that it had
Islamophobia was the impact that it had
Islamophobia was the impact that it had on Muslim youth we saw a spike in
on Muslim youth we saw a spike in
on Muslim youth we saw a spike in faith-based bullying of Muslim children
faith-based bullying of Muslim children
faith-based bullying of Muslim children we saw more and more children who were
we saw more and more children who were
we saw more and more children who were struggling to reconcile their American
struggling to reconcile their American
struggling to reconcile their American and Muslim aspects of their identity I
and Muslim aspects of their identity I
and Muslim aspects of their identity I remember there was a campaign to D
remember there was a campaign to D
remember there was a campaign to D stigmatize the word virgin when I was
stigmatize the word virgin when I was
stigmatize the word virgin when I was growing up and if we saw billboards all
growing up and if we saw billboards all
growing up and if we saw billboards all around the city that said virgin teacher
around the city that said virgin teacher
around the city that said virgin teacher kid is not a dirty word and I remember I
kid is not a dirty word and I remember I
kid is not a dirty word and I remember I would have conversations with Muslim
would have conversations with Muslim
would have conversations with Muslim youth and I would think to myself that
youth and I would think to myself that
youth and I would think to myself that it would be wonderful to have some kind
it would be wonderful to have some kind
it would be wonderful to have some kind of campaign to help distinguish the word
of campaign to help distinguish the word
of campaign to help distinguish the word Islam and Muslims because right now it’s
Islam and Muslims because right now it’s
Islam and Muslims because right now it’s just probably the most stigmatized
just probably the most stigmatized
just probably the most stigmatized racial and religious and
racial and religious and
racial and religious and in the United States some of the most
in the United States some of the most
in the United States some of the most common stereotypes are that Muslims take
common stereotypes are that Muslims take
common stereotypes are that Muslims take the American Way of life or that Sharia
the American Way of life or that Sharia
the American Way of life or that Sharia is taking over our country or that Islam
is taking over our country or that Islam
is taking over our country or that Islam oppresses woman and if we don’t
oppresses woman and if we don’t
oppresses woman and if we don’t understand faith it’s easy to
understand faith it’s easy to
understand faith it’s easy to regurgitate what we hear in right-wing
regurgitate what we hear in right-wing
regurgitate what we hear in right-wing media or in biased media outlets and the
media or in biased media outlets and the
media or in biased media outlets and the reality couldn’t be further from the
reality couldn’t be further from the
reality couldn’t be further from the truth
truth
truth actually Assam is not new to America
actually Assam is not new to America
actually Assam is not new to America it’s been part of our country since
it’s been part of our country since
it’s been part of our country since before its founding and if we understand
before its founding and if we understand
before its founding and if we understand the concept of Sharia we would know that
the concept of Sharia we would know that
the concept of Sharia we would know that there is no place in the in the world
there is no place in the in the world
there is no place in the in the world that we can practice Islam the way it’s
that we can practice Islam the way it’s
that we can practice Islam the way it’s intended to then in the United States
intended to then in the United States
intended to then in the United States because of the Constitution and that
because of the Constitution and that
because of the Constitution and that Islam requires that people abide by the
Islam requires that people abide by the
Islam requires that people abide by the laws of the land in which we reside and
laws of the land in which we reside and
laws of the land in which we reside and so this all compelled me to take on this
so this all compelled me to take on this
so this all compelled me to take on this journey into activism so I segue from
journey into activism so I segue from
journey into activism so I segue from pharmacy and to nonprofit activism to
pharmacy and to nonprofit activism to
pharmacy and to nonprofit activism to help dispel a lot of the misinformation
help dispel a lot of the misinformation
help dispel a lot of the misinformation that was out there I would see fear in
that was out there I would see fear in
that was out there I would see fear in the eyes of people who did not know much
the eyes of people who did not know much
the eyes of people who did not know much about our communities and I would see
about our communities and I would see
about our communities and I would see our communities that were not equipped
our communities that were not equipped
our communities that were not equipped to be able to deal with some of the
to be able to deal with some of the
to be able to deal with some of the challenges that we were facing so the
challenges that we were facing so the
challenges that we were facing so the goal was really to help educate and
goal was really to help educate and
goal was really to help educate and empower our my most my Muslim
empower our my most my Muslim
empower our my most my Muslim communities to speak out against Osama
communities to speak out against Osama
communities to speak out against Osama phobia but also to encourage youth to
phobia but also to encourage youth to
phobia but also to encourage youth to form their own narrative and to
form their own narrative and to
form their own narrative and to dismantle many of the misconceptions
dismantle many of the misconceptions
dismantle many of the misconceptions that existed about our communities
that existed about our communities
that existed about our communities there’s a powerful quote the Malcolm X
there’s a powerful quote the Malcolm X
there’s a powerful quote the Malcolm X has said is credited for saying that the
has said is credited for saying that the
has said is credited for saying that the media is the most powerful entity on
media is the most powerful entity on
media is the most powerful entity on earth it’s powerful because it has the
earth it’s powerful because it has the
earth it’s powerful because it has the power to make the innocent look guilty
power to make the innocent look guilty
power to make the innocent look guilty and to make the guilty look innocent and
and to make the guilty look innocent and
and to make the guilty look innocent and that really has the ability to control
that really has the ability to control
that really has the ability to control the minds of the masses it’s a tool it’s
the minds of the masses it’s a tool it’s
the minds of the masses it’s a tool it’s a powerful tool to shape public
a powerful tool to shape public
a powerful tool to shape public perception and it’s millions around the
perception and it’s millions around the
perception and it’s millions around the world every day get their information
world every day get their information
world every day get their information about the world from news reports and
about the world from news reports and
about the world from news reports and the way that these news reports are
the way that these news reports are
the way that these news reports are framed has a huge role to play in
framed has a huge role to play in
framed has a huge role to play in whether we have a positive or a negative
whether we have a positive or a negative
whether we have a positive or a negative response to it and there’s actually been
response to it and there’s actually been
response to it and there’s actually been studies that conducted that have been
studies that conducted that have been
studies that conducted that have been conducted that negative portrayals of a
conducted that negative portrayals of a
conducted that negative portrayals of a Simon
Simon
Simon Muslims are actually more prevalent in
Muslims are actually more prevalent in
Muslims are actually more prevalent in the media because they since they are
the media because they since they are
the media because they since they are sensationalized and they get higher
sensationalized and they get higher
sensationalized and they get higher ratings so it comes down to dollars and
ratings so it comes down to dollars and
ratings so it comes down to dollars and cents and for companies for media
cents and for companies for media
cents and for companies for media conglomerates and organizations that’s
conglomerates and organizations that’s
conglomerates and organizations that’s what their goal is at the end of the day
what their goal is at the end of the day
what their goal is at the end of the day they want to make money and sometimes it
they want to make money and sometimes it
they want to make money and sometimes it really it doesn’t matter if it’s
really it doesn’t matter if it’s
really it doesn’t matter if it’s accurate if it gets the rating
accurate if it gets the rating
accurate if it gets the rating unfortunately we saw a lot of that in
unfortunately we saw a lot of that in
unfortunately we saw a lot of that in the media so I started doing a lot of
the media so I started doing a lot of
the media so I started doing a lot of media interviews it wasn’t something I
media interviews it wasn’t something I
media interviews it wasn’t something I ever saw myself doing I never imagined
ever saw myself doing I never imagined
ever saw myself doing I never imagined that I would ever be in a position where
that I would ever be in a position where
that I would ever be in a position where I would be like a spokesperson for my
I would be like a spokesperson for my
I would be like a spokesperson for my communities but there was a need that
communities but there was a need that
communities but there was a need that was there and that’s what compelled me
was there and that’s what compelled me
was there and that’s what compelled me to come outside of my shell and I
to come outside of my shell and I
to come outside of my shell and I remember one time I was about to go onto
remember one time I was about to go onto
remember one time I was about to go onto CNN and I was sitting in the green room
CNN and I was sitting in the green room
CNN and I was sitting in the green room and there was this really sweet lady who
and there was this really sweet lady who
and there was this really sweet lady who was in the room with me and she comes up
was in the room with me and she comes up
was in the room with me and she comes up to me and we struck up a conversation we
to me and we struck up a conversation we
to me and we struck up a conversation we had this great conversation going and
had this great conversation going and
had this great conversation going and just before I was about to go on she
just before I was about to go on she
just before I was about to go on she comes up to me and she like taps my arm
comes up to me and she like taps my arm
comes up to me and she like taps my arm and she’s like oh you speak perfect
and she’s like oh you speak perfect
and she’s like oh you speak perfect English and I’m like really I actually
English and I’m like really I actually
English and I’m like really I actually speak bottom orys and for those of you
speak bottom orys and for those of you
speak bottom orys and for those of you who are native to Baltimore you know
who are native to Baltimore you know
who are native to Baltimore you know what I’m talking about
what I’m talking about
what I’m talking about but there is this idea that people who
but there is this idea that people who
but there is this idea that people who are Muslim or foreign and cannot speak
are Muslim or foreign and cannot speak
are Muslim or foreign and cannot speak English or cannot be native to the
English or cannot be native to the
English or cannot be native to the cities in our country I had the
cities in our country I had the
cities in our country I had the opportunity to sit in on President
opportunity to sit in on President
opportunity to sit in on President Obama’s historic u.s. mosque visit in
Obama’s historic u.s. mosque visit in
Obama’s historic u.s. mosque visit in 2016 and this was really a
2016 and this was really a
2016 and this was really a groundbreaking moment for many American
groundbreaking moment for many American
groundbreaking moment for many American Muslims because especially in the face
Muslims because especially in the face
Muslims because especially in the face of so much Islamophobia it sent a strong
of so much Islamophobia it sent a strong
of so much Islamophobia it sent a strong message that Muslims have a place in our
message that Muslims have a place in our
message that Muslims have a place in our country and especially for the American
country and especially for the American
country and especially for the American Muslims who are indigenous to our
Muslims who are indigenous to our
Muslims who are indigenous to our country in the sense that their families
country in the sense that their families
country in the sense that their families have been here for centuries this is
have been here for centuries this is
have been here for centuries this is really something that you know many
really something that you know many
really something that you know many communities have struggled with over
communities have struggled with over
communities have struggled with over time and I remember a couple days after
time and I remember a couple days after
time and I remember a couple days after the mosque visit I got a phone call from
the mosque visit I got a phone call from
the mosque visit I got a phone call from a mother who had a fourth-grade son in
a mother who had a fourth-grade son in
a mother who had a fourth-grade son in public school and she was in tears
public school and she was in tears
public school and she was in tears and she said to me that her son came
and she said to me that her son came
and she said to me that her son came home from school
home from school
home from school the day after if the President President
the day after if the President President
the day after if the President President Obama visited a mosque and she said that
Obama visited a mosque and she said that
Obama visited a mosque and she said that he told her that for the first time he
he told her that for the first time he
he told her that for the first time he stood up for the Pledge of Allegiance in
stood up for the Pledge of Allegiance in
stood up for the Pledge of Allegiance in class for the first time her
class for the first time her
class for the first time her fourth-grade son stood up for the Pledge
fourth-grade son stood up for the Pledge
fourth-grade son stood up for the Pledge of Allegiance because he felt after
of Allegiance because he felt after
of Allegiance because he felt after seeing his president attend of Alger
seeing his president attend of Alger
seeing his president attend of Alger visit a mosque he felt American enough
visit a mosque he felt American enough
visit a mosque he felt American enough in his identity to be able to stand for
in his identity to be able to stand for
in his identity to be able to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance after the 2016
the Pledge of Allegiance after the 2016
the Pledge of Allegiance after the 2016 presidential election we saw a spike in
presidential election we saw a spike in
presidential election we saw a spike in hate crimes and bias attacks targeting
hate crimes and bias attacks targeting
hate crimes and bias attacks targeting our communities I received several calls
our communities I received several calls
our communities I received several calls from young woman who were college
from young woman who were college
from young woman who were college students across Maryland and they had
students across Maryland and they had
students across Maryland and they had either physically or been assaulted or
either physically or been assaulted or
either physically or been assaulted or they’ve been verbally assaulted and had
they’ve been verbally assaulted and had
they’ve been verbally assaulted and had their head scarves or hips pulled off
their head scarves or hips pulled off
their head scarves or hips pulled off and so a lot of people were asking me
and so a lot of people were asking me
and so a lot of people were asking me should I take off my headscarf and the
should I take off my headscarf and the
should I take off my headscarf and the idea that any woman would ever feel
idea that any woman would ever feel
idea that any woman would ever feel afraid because of the way that she is
afraid because of the way that she is
afraid because of the way that she is dressed was unacceptable
dressed was unacceptable
dressed was unacceptable whether she wears a headscarf or whether
whether she wears a headscarf or whether
whether she wears a headscarf or whether she doesn’t whether she wants to walk
she doesn’t whether she wants to walk
she doesn’t whether she wants to walk around wearing a bikini or whether she
around wearing a bikini or whether she
around wearing a bikini or whether she wants to walk around fully dressed
wants to walk around fully dressed
wants to walk around fully dressed that’s the woman’s decision but the idea
that’s the woman’s decision but the idea
that’s the woman’s decision but the idea that there were so many young girls and
that there were so many young girls and
that there were so many young girls and woman who were afraid compelled us to
woman who were afraid compelled us to
woman who were afraid compelled us to begin offering self-defense workshops
begin offering self-defense workshops
begin offering self-defense workshops and the idea was to empower young woman
and the idea was to empower young woman
and the idea was to empower young woman regardless of their religion regardless
regardless of their religion regardless
regardless of their religion regardless of their identity to feel confident in
of their identity to feel confident in
of their identity to feel confident in their identity to be able to walk
their identity to be able to walk
their identity to be able to walk outside in public and not feel like they
outside in public and not feel like they
outside in public and not feel like they have to change who they are or the way
have to change who they are or the way
have to change who they are or the way that they dress because of how other
that they dress because of how other
that they dress because of how other people are acting so these actually
people are acting so these actually
people are acting so these actually became more popular than we’d imagined
became more popular than we’d imagined
became more popular than we’d imagined there the response was pretty
there the response was pretty
there the response was pretty overwhelmingly positive and one day I
overwhelmingly positive and one day I
overwhelmingly positive and one day I got a phone call from Vogue and they
got a phone call from Vogue and they
got a phone call from Vogue and they were interested in reporting on how
were interested in reporting on how
were interested in reporting on how American Muslim woman were pushing back
American Muslim woman were pushing back
American Muslim woman were pushing back against Islamophobia so they actually
against Islamophobia so they actually
against Islamophobia so they actually did this feature story on Muslim women
did this feature story on Muslim women
did this feature story on Muslim women in Maryland it was pretty exciting I got
in Maryland it was pretty exciting I got
in Maryland it was pretty exciting I got to tell my mom hey I’m in vogue I never
to tell my mom hey I’m in vogue I never
to tell my mom hey I’m in vogue I never imagined myself as a Muslim woman
imagined myself as a Muslim woman
imagined myself as a Muslim woman wearing a headscarf would ever be like
wearing a headscarf would ever be like
wearing a headscarf would ever be like in these kind of platforms but the idea
in these kind of platforms but the idea
in these kind of platforms but the idea was really to highlight the the
was really to highlight the the
was really to highlight the the wonderful young woman who had so much
wonderful young woman who had so much
wonderful young woman who had so much potential to really kind of push back
potential to really kind of push back
potential to really kind of push back against the fear the fear mongering and
against the fear the fear mongering and
against the fear the fear mongering and the bigotry and to take ownership of
the bigotry and to take ownership of
the bigotry and to take ownership of their identity
their identity
their identity and not be afraid to highlight their
and not be afraid to highlight their
and not be afraid to highlight their voices and center their voices since the
voices and center their voices since the
voices and center their voices since the election I had many woman who have since
election I had many woman who have since
election I had many woman who have since then struggled with the idea of how they
then struggled with the idea of how they
then struggled with the idea of how they should reconcile their identities and
should reconcile their identities and
should reconcile their identities and you know my message is very simple and
you know my message is very simple and
you know my message is very simple and very clear in times of crisis we have a
very clear in times of crisis we have a
very clear in times of crisis we have a choice we have a choice of whether we’re
choice we have a choice of whether we’re
choice we have a choice of whether we’re going to allow fear to divide us and
going to allow fear to divide us and
going to allow fear to divide us and change who we are or we have a choice to
change who we are or we have a choice to
change who we are or we have a choice to push back against that fear inform
push back against that fear inform
push back against that fear inform ourselves and encourage others to be
ourselves and encourage others to be
ourselves and encourage others to be more informed and be more United than
more informed and be more United than
more informed and be more United than ever before the Newton’s first law of
ever before the Newton’s first law of
ever before the Newton’s first law of motion says that an object in motion
motion says that an object in motion
motion says that an object in motion will stay in motion until it meets with
will stay in motion until it meets with
will stay in motion until it meets with a resisting force an object in motion
a resisting force an object in motion
a resisting force an object in motion will stay in motion until it meets with
will stay in motion until it meets with
will stay in motion until it meets with a resisting force your goals your
a resisting force your goals your
a resisting force your goals your ambitions your passion in life is that
ambitions your passion in life is that
ambitions your passion in life is that object and every obstacle that you’re
object and every obstacle that you’re
object and every obstacle that you’re going to encounter is that resisting
going to encounter is that resisting
going to encounter is that resisting force and you have an opportunity to
force and you have an opportunity to
force and you have an opportunity to pledge to yourself to push back against
pledge to yourself to push back against
pledge to yourself to push back against those obstacles to overcome them and to
those obstacles to overcome them and to
those obstacles to overcome them and to make sure that you accomplish your goals
make sure that you accomplish your goals
make sure that you accomplish your goals regardless of the pushback that you’re
regardless of the pushback that you’re
regardless of the pushback that you’re receiving so my message is very simple
receiving so my message is very simple
receiving so my message is very simple be unstoppable thank you
be unstoppable thank you
be unstoppable thank you [Applause]
”
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