Her Campus has partnered with Muslim Girl again this year to bring you Muslim Women's Day, AKA a celebration of all the empowering and inspiring Muslim college women who are changing the game in 2020. As part of the celebration, we wanted to hear from our community about their experiences as a Muslim woman and how their faith plays into their daily lives and dream aspirations.
So, we asked 14 Muslim college women,"What makes you feel empowered as a Muslim woman?" — here's what they had to say:
"My hijab! It’s amazing how a piece of cloth empowers you so much. I feel like my hijab says look at me beyond my physicality because I am so much more than that."
- Wassila, University of Cape Town
"Seeing other Muslim women in the media breaking down societal preconceptions is amazing. It normalizes us and conveys the message that we are a part of society and that we are doing great things just like other non-minority racial/ethnic/religious groups!"
- Sofia, Yale University
"Coming from such a religion of peace, I feel empowered knowing the real message behind the religion. Knowing that I am not what the media portrays Muslims to be."
- Nargis, Fashion Institute Of Design and Merchandising
"Having a solid foundation of values for my decisions as a Muslim woman makes me feel empowered. Instead of being impulsive or deciding each action according to the situation, having a framework to navigate decision-making is gratifying. The stories of smart, independent Muslim women at the advent of Islam like Aisha, Zainab, Maryam, and Fatimah. Those of Muslim women in contemporary times, like educator and poet Suhaiymah Khan, Kashmiri sociologist and political poet Ather Zia and artists like Sumairah and Barooja, empower me each day."
- Saadia, Ashoka University
"What makes me feel empowered as a Muslim woman is that I have overcome ignorance, and racism, and 'looks' that tried to make me feel ashamed of being a Muslim."
- Kadiatou, Jefferson Community Technical College
"I feel empowered as a Muslim woman by showing others that you do not have to cover up or restrict what you say just to be Muslim. Being Muslim is about spreading peace and reducing judgment. When I tell others I am Muslim they are always shocked as I do not fit the 'stereotype'. But I always feel so empowered when I explain that I am and how I was raised to follow the beliefs of the religion more than the cultural aspects."
- Nisha, George Mason University
"I think it makes me feel empowered by wearing my hijab in a different way, as there are stereotypes of how to wear it. I’m able to showcase my style and be confident while still practicing my faith."
- Fatima, Drexel University
"What makes me empowered as a Muslim woman is my growth in Islam, it is knowing that I am Muslim without anyone else thinking otherwise. I do not need to prove it."
- Bash, University of Exter
"Being a Hafiza makes me feel empowered. Having memorized the Qur'an, I feel a strong connection to it and it reminds me of the value I hold in our community as someone who can teach it, recite it, and lead prayers."
- Insha, CSULB
"As a Muslim woman, I feel empowered by knowing that my religion doesn't define me or limit me—it, in fact, empowers me."
- Bana, Florida State University
"Knowing that I am a representation of my religion. This allows me to think of my actions and behaviors and be the best version of myself."
- Hibah, Michigan State University
"Being able to access communities, whether in real life or online, is incredibly empowering for me because I am able to read the stories of other empowered Muslim women and learn from them. Through these forums, we are able to show solidarity for one another in times of crisis, and uplift each other. Empowerment is not about showing the world that I am confident and comfortable in my identity as a Muslim woman, rather it is about believing in myself and being able to positively contributing to the world."
- Sidra, Barnard College
"As a Muslim woman, I feel empowered when voicing my opinion and standing up for other women. As a Florida State University student, I'm involved in various organizations on-campus that are majority women-based. Being a part of the executive board of organizations like the Women's Student Union has allowed me the opportunity to help other women on-campus and be a representation of women who look like me."
- Musammat, Florida State University
"What empowers me as a brown, Muslim woman is the fact that a lot of people try to bring us down, they try to tell us what's right and what's wrong, and yet every time we rise. That's empowering."
- Zoya, New York University