On Monday, October 28th a Muslim student was denied food on George Mason campus at Panda Express and was told to remove “the wrap from her nose” in order to be served. She was a visibly Muslim woman who observed hijab and niqab.

Do not think what you see or hear around you is represented by my life.

Whatever preconceived notions you have about the hijab or niqab, it’s time you get educated.

The oppression of women you see around the world is not representative of Quranic ideals, rather a representation of patriarchal cultural norms.

My hijab shows my

•    Identity as a Muslim
•    Islamic Attitude
•    Presence
•    Strength
•    Ability to be me

“O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. (4:49)
And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women. (2:228)
They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them. (2:187)
And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him” (46:15)

And countless verses found in the Holy Quran

To assume that the hijab is oppression is to say that the less clothes I wear the more liberated I am.
Do not egregiously try to force your thought on what is moral to you onto me.
That’s creating compulsion in my religion.

You have not yet looked into

    Khadijah RA, business owner, financial provider, and wife of the Prophet Muhammad

 Maryam, mother of Jesus (Prophet Isa), a whole chapter dedicated to her in the Qur’an
    Aisha RA, one of the greatest authorities in Islam when it comes to Islamic rulings, and also wife of the Prophet after Khadijah’s passing
    Khayzuran, leader of an Empire
    Fatima bint Muhammad Al-Fihriya Al-Qurashiya, founder of the oldest existing AND continually running educational institution in the WORLD
    Aisha al-Hurra, Queen of Andalusia

And many more.

What I am wearing shouldn’t scare you
It shouldn’t be of your concern
You don’t need to save me
Just give me my food
And please read.

Anne Holton. Address this issue. This is a call to action against discrimination and Anti-Islam bigotry.