[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
somewhere between 9/11 and the burka ban
somewhere between 9/11 and the burka ban we lost the humanity of the women behind
we lost the humanity of the women behind
we lost the humanity of the women behind the head scarves Muslim women became
the head scarves Muslim women became
the head scarves Muslim women became talking points stripped of identities
talking points stripped of identities
talking points stripped of identities and humanity I’m not here to talk
and humanity I’m not here to talk
and humanity I’m not here to talk religion and a few of you’ll be wiping
religion and a few of you’ll be wiping
religion and a few of you’ll be wiping your brow I’m done with the age-old
your brow I’m done with the age-old
your brow I’m done with the age-old debates and the back-and-forth about
debates and the back-and-forth about
debates and the back-and-forth about Scripture I’ll leave that one for the
Scripture I’ll leave that one for the
Scripture I’ll leave that one for the scholars when you ask a woman why she
scholars when you ask a woman why she
scholars when you ask a woman why she wears the hijab we tend to rely on
wears the hijab we tend to rely on
wears the hijab we tend to rely on Scripture and statistics we forget that
Scripture and statistics we forget that
Scripture and statistics we forget that there’s this whole human being sitting
there’s this whole human being sitting
there’s this whole human being sitting in front of us but these women have
in front of us but these women have
in front of us but these women have their own paths and journeys and
their own paths and journeys and
their own paths and journeys and spiritual stories that their lives in
spiritual stories that their lives in
spiritual stories that their lives in all their glory cannot possibly be
all their glory cannot possibly be
all their glory cannot possibly be summarized by the label hijab’ the hijab
summarized by the label hijab’ the hijab
summarized by the label hijab’ the hijab and veiling of Muslim women has long
and veiling of Muslim women has long
and veiling of Muslim women has long been politicized and stigmatized yet the
been politicized and stigmatized yet the
been politicized and stigmatized yet the reasons behind our intentions of
reasons behind our intentions of
reasons behind our intentions of covering up have been misunderstood
covering up have been misunderstood
covering up have been misunderstood underrepresented and silenced yet hyper
underrepresented and silenced yet hyper
underrepresented and silenced yet hyper visible and tokenized this is the
visible and tokenized this is the
visible and tokenized this is the uncomfortable line we tread as modern
uncomfortable line we tread as modern
uncomfortable line we tread as modern muscle men I wish I could tell you that
muscle men I wish I could tell you that
muscle men I wish I could tell you that hijab was just a contentious talking
hijab was just a contentious talking
hijab was just a contentious talking point in non-muslim communities the
point in non-muslim communities the
point in non-muslim communities the truth is being a Muslim woman and
truth is being a Muslim woman and
truth is being a Muslim woman and veiling in any sense becomes a challenge
veiling in any sense becomes a challenge
veiling in any sense becomes a challenge in all parts of society in all niches
in all parts of society in all niches
in all parts of society in all niches and almost every culture people obsess
and almost every culture people obsess
and almost every culture people obsess with the covering and the uncovering of
with the covering and the uncovering of
with the covering and the uncovering of feminine bodies Muslim women we face
feminine bodies Muslim women we face
feminine bodies Muslim women we face opposition and judgment at every turn
opposition and judgment at every turn
opposition and judgment at every turn we’re too covered to assimilate yet too
we’re too covered to assimilate yet too
we’re too covered to assimilate yet too exposed to escape the judgment of fellow
exposed to escape the judgment of fellow
exposed to escape the judgment of fellow Muslims some Muslims have a problem with
Muslims some Muslims have a problem with
Muslims some Muslims have a problem with the way others choose to wear their head
the way others choose to wear their head
the way others choose to wear their head wrap or weave modesty into their
wrap or weave modesty into their
wrap or weave modesty into their lifestyle
lifestyle
lifestyle you’re showing too much neck your hair
you’re showing too much neck your hair
you’re showing too much neck your hair is showing
is showing
is showing pants aren’t modest you’re wearing too
pants aren’t modest you’re wearing too
pants aren’t modest you’re wearing too much makeup just some of the things my
much makeup just some of the things my
much makeup just some of the things my sisters and I hear on a day-to-day basis
sisters and I hear on a day-to-day basis
sisters and I hear on a day-to-day basis they think it’s improper that we use
they think it’s improper that we use
they think it’s improper that we use their label to describe ourselves
Muslims and non-muslims alike don’t
Muslims and non-muslims alike don’t consider me a valid hijab’ yet visibly
consider me a valid hijab’ yet visibly
consider me a valid hijab’ yet visibly Muslim enough to be subject to
Muslim enough to be subject to
Muslim enough to be subject to discrimination in Islamophobia Muslims
discrimination in Islamophobia Muslims
discrimination in Islamophobia Muslims still say Salam Sisto when they see me
still say Salam Sisto when they see me
still say Salam Sisto when they see me in the street there’s nothing new about
in the street there’s nothing new about
in the street there’s nothing new about this this is the same fight that women
this this is the same fight that women
this this is the same fight that women of all cultures from all generations
of all cultures from all generations
of all cultures from all generations have been fighting for generations it’s
have been fighting for generations it’s
have been fighting for generations it’s just been repackaged identity politics
just been repackaged identity politics
just been repackaged identity politics in this regard has become increasingly
in this regard has become increasingly
in this regard has become increasingly divisive where people feel they cannot
divisive where people feel they cannot
divisive where people feel they cannot identify with more than one label that’s
identify with more than one label that’s
identify with more than one label that’s supposedly contradictory you can’t be
supposedly contradictory you can’t be
supposedly contradictory you can’t be religious and left-wing you can’t be
religious and left-wing you can’t be
religious and left-wing you can’t be veiled and feminist you can’t believe in
veiled and feminist you can’t believe in
veiled and feminist you can’t believe in a creator and have a scientific mind I’m
a creator and have a scientific mind I’m
a creator and have a scientific mind I’m a woman of science I spent a whole year
a woman of science I spent a whole year
a woman of science I spent a whole year researching something we call non-coding
researching something we call non-coding
researching something we call non-coding DNA parts of our DNA we thought we’re
DNA parts of our DNA we thought we’re
DNA parts of our DNA we thought we’re junk because they didn’t make anything
junk because they didn’t make anything
junk because they didn’t make anything for ourselves I feel the same way about
for ourselves I feel the same way about
for ourselves I feel the same way about the parts of myself that aren’t tangible
the parts of myself that aren’t tangible
the parts of myself that aren’t tangible to you my appearance is one thing you
to you my appearance is one thing you
to you my appearance is one thing you can label but I’m a myriad of components
can label but I’m a myriad of components
can label but I’m a myriad of components that are so significant to developing
that are so significant to developing
that are so significant to developing Who I am you can’t see or label and
Who I am you can’t see or label and
Who I am you can’t see or label and they’re just as valid parts of me now I
they’re just as valid parts of me now I
they’re just as valid parts of me now I strongly believe that the true
strongly believe that the true
strongly believe that the true representation of a modern Muslim woman
representation of a modern Muslim woman
representation of a modern Muslim woman does not exist because we are not a
does not exist because we are not a
does not exist because we are not a modern life we’re not here to prove or
modern life we’re not here to prove or
modern life we’re not here to prove or disprove your assumptions and we don’t
disprove your assumptions and we don’t
disprove your assumptions and we don’t exist to break your stereotypes so
exist to break your stereotypes so
exist to break your stereotypes so picture me it’s 2:00 a.m. and I’m
picture me it’s 2:00 a.m. and I’m
picture me it’s 2:00 a.m. and I’m getting ready to drop my sister to the
getting ready to drop my sister to the
getting ready to drop my sister to the airport that’s where you kind of know it
airport that’s where you kind of know it
airport that’s where you kind of know it goes downhill Muslim woman in an airport
goes downhill Muslim woman in an airport
goes downhill Muslim woman in an airport I’m fumbling around my broom and just
I’m fumbling around my broom and just
I’m fumbling around my broom and just throwing on anything I can grab partly
throwing on anything I can grab partly
throwing on anything I can grab partly because of her job but partly if not
because of her job but partly if not
because of her job but partly if not mainly because it’s about three degrees
mainly because it’s about three degrees
mainly because it’s about three degrees outside in the middle of July and it is
outside in the middle of July and it is
outside in the middle of July and it is freezing and I am Egyptian so we don’t
freezing and I am Egyptian so we don’t
freezing and I am Egyptian so we don’t do cold weather we go to the airport and
do cold weather we go to the airport and
do cold weather we go to the airport and we weigh my sister’s bags and we grab a
we weigh my sister’s bags and we grab a
we weigh my sister’s bags and we grab a cup of coffee because 3 a.m. Zena is
cup of coffee because 3 a.m. Zena is
cup of coffee because 3 a.m. Zena is just terrifying to the public headscarf
just terrifying to the public headscarf
just terrifying to the public headscarf or not and we get to the checkpoint and
or not and we get to the checkpoint and
or not and we get to the checkpoint and this man starts boring a hole in the
this man starts boring a hole in the
this man starts boring a hole in the side of my head
side of my head
side of my head here we go sorry miss you can’t go
here we go sorry miss you can’t go
here we go sorry miss you can’t go through there please remove that he
through there please remove that he
through there please remove that he points at my beret I start explaining oh
points at my beret I start explaining oh
points at my beret I start explaining oh I know it doesn’t look traditional but
I know it doesn’t look traditional but
I know it doesn’t look traditional but you see I’m wearing it for religious
you see I’m wearing it for religious
you see I’m wearing it for religious reasons I just need a woman and another
reasons I just need a woman and another
reasons I just need a woman and another room and I can take it off he raises an
room and I can take it off he raises an
room and I can take it off he raises an eyebrow I continually nervously try to
eyebrow I continually nervously try to
eyebrow I continually nervously try to explain and I stop and I wonder why on
explain and I stop and I wonder why on
explain and I stop and I wonder why on earth I’m about to launch into hijab 101
earth I’m about to launch into hijab 101
earth I’m about to launch into hijab 101 with this security guard he insists no I
with this security guard he insists no I
with this security guard he insists no I know what that looks like you don’t look
know what that looks like you don’t look
know what that looks like you don’t look like one of them take it off you can
like one of them take it off you can
like one of them take it off you can imagine how the rest of the transaction
imagine how the rest of the transaction
imagine how the rest of the transaction went I didn’t take it off and he didn’t
went I didn’t take it off and he didn’t
went I didn’t take it off and he didn’t make it through the gate I had been
make it through the gate I had been
make it through the gate I had been discriminated against nothing new for a
discriminated against nothing new for a
discriminated against nothing new for a Muslim woman but in a moment of great
Muslim woman but in a moment of great
Muslim woman but in a moment of great irony it was because I didn’t look
irony it was because I didn’t look
irony it was because I didn’t look enough like a Muslim woman damn you for
enough like a Muslim woman damn you for
enough like a Muslim woman damn you for not fitting into my stereotype so
not fitting into my stereotype so
not fitting into my stereotype so frustrating but to be brutally honest
frustrating but to be brutally honest
frustrating but to be brutally honest with you I wasn’t wearing this at all
with you I wasn’t wearing this at all
with you I wasn’t wearing this at all last year in fact I wasn’t living a
last year in fact I wasn’t living a
last year in fact I wasn’t living a modest lifestyle I was doing nude photo
modest lifestyle I was doing nude photo
modest lifestyle I was doing nude photo shoots and body scape modeling and that
shoots and body scape modeling and that
shoots and body scape modeling and that was just me and months ago so if you had
was just me and months ago so if you had
was just me and months ago so if you had told me that next year I’d be on this
told me that next year I’d be on this
told me that next year I’d be on this stage talking to you about my headscarf
stage talking to you about my headscarf
stage talking to you about my headscarf I would have lost you out of the room
I would have lost you out of the room
I would have lost you out of the room what people struggle here with is the
what people struggle here with is the
what people struggle here with is the dichotomy but why must there be one what
dichotomy but why must there be one what
dichotomy but why must there be one what happens when I become my
happens when I become my
happens when I become my point of reference and allow myself that
point of reference and allow myself that
point of reference and allow myself that room to grow the woman you see before
room to grow the woman you see before
room to grow the woman you see before you is quite different yes but I’m very
you is quite different yes but I’m very
you is quite different yes but I’m very much the same my spirituality and my
much the same my spirituality and my
much the same my spirituality and my religion is just one part of the dynamic
religion is just one part of the dynamic
religion is just one part of the dynamic and painfully flawed human being that I
and painfully flawed human being that I
and painfully flawed human being that I am I didn’t put on this headscarf
am I didn’t put on this headscarf
am I didn’t put on this headscarf because I had it all figured out I put
because I had it all figured out I put
because I had it all figured out I put it on as an act of self exploration
it on as an act of self exploration
it on as an act of self exploration allowing myself to experience who I was
allowing myself to experience who I was
allowing myself to experience who I was fully without worrying about other
fully without worrying about other
fully without worrying about other people it signified a point in my life
people it signified a point in my life
people it signified a point in my life where I cared more about myself than
where I cared more about myself than
where I cared more about myself than other people’s perceptions of me
other people’s perceptions of me
other people’s perceptions of me my reasons for wearing the headscarf are
my reasons for wearing the headscarf are
my reasons for wearing the headscarf are too fluid and ever-changing for me to
too fluid and ever-changing for me to
too fluid and ever-changing for me to cement down in this short talk or in
cement down in this short talk or in
cement down in this short talk or in response to a question my feelings about
response to a question my feelings about
response to a question my feelings about the veil are so complex they’re not even
the veil are so complex they’re not even
the veil are so complex they’re not even fully known to myself and the emotional
fully known to myself and the emotional
fully known to myself and the emotional labor of picking up that question as to
labor of picking up that question as to
labor of picking up that question as to why I wear it is sometimes more than I
why I wear it is sometimes more than I
why I wear it is sometimes more than I have the energy for my body is not a
have the energy for my body is not a
have the energy for my body is not a commodity my body is not a political
commodity my body is not a political
commodity my body is not a political playground it does not exist to break
playground it does not exist to break
playground it does not exist to break your stereotypes or placate your
your stereotypes or placate your
your stereotypes or placate your ideologies for you some people really
ideologies for you some people really
ideologies for you some people really want this vocal condemnation of my past
want this vocal condemnation of my past
want this vocal condemnation of my past actions and I won’t do it I don’t or any
actions and I won’t do it I don’t or any
actions and I won’t do it I don’t or any human being that it’s part of my journey
human being that it’s part of my journey
human being that it’s part of my journey part of what got me here today and if
part of what got me here today and if
part of what got me here today and if that doesn’t fit into your box of what a
that doesn’t fit into your box of what a
that doesn’t fit into your box of what a Muslim woman looks like feel free to
Muslim woman looks like feel free to
Muslim woman looks like feel free to keep that box I’m a little
keep that box I’m a little
keep that box I’m a little claustrophobic anyway part of living my
claustrophobic anyway part of living my
claustrophobic anyway part of living my truth as a modern Muslim woman has
truth as a modern Muslim woman has
truth as a modern Muslim woman has become modesty and my embodiment of it
become modesty and my embodiment of it
become modesty and my embodiment of it is not the same as it is for any other
is not the same as it is for any other
is not the same as it is for any other Muslim woman and nor should it have to
Muslim woman and nor should it have to
Muslim woman and nor should it have to be but what is modesty is it the
be but what is modesty is it the
be but what is modesty is it the opposite of naked is it purely
opposite of naked is it purely
opposite of naked is it purely physicality these were the questions I
physicality these were the questions I
physicality these were the questions I was asking myself on my journey some
was asking myself on my journey some
was asking myself on my journey some people want to see it as a progression
people want to see it as a progression
people want to see it as a progression from uncovered to covet I choose to see
from uncovered to covet I choose to see
from uncovered to covet I choose to see it as a spectrum with inherent freedoms
it as a spectrum with inherent freedoms
it as a spectrum with inherent freedoms I love people’s expressions when they
I love people’s expressions when they
I love people’s expressions when they tell me I’m not wearing the headscarf
tell me I’m not wearing the headscarf
tell me I’m not wearing the headscarf properly and I looked him dead in the
properly and I looked him dead in the
properly and I looked him dead in the eye and I tell them that last year I
eye and I tell them that last year I
eye and I tell them that last year I wasn’t wearing it at all much less any
wasn’t wearing it at all much less any
wasn’t wearing it at all much less any other clothing this shocked expressions
other clothing this shocked expressions
other clothing this shocked expressions are exactly why I am here
are exactly why I am here
are exactly why I am here and I get it I do people want neat boxes
and I get it I do people want neat boxes
and I get it I do people want neat boxes immoral vests moral liberated verse
immoral vests moral liberated verse
immoral vests moral liberated verse religious covered verses uncovered my
religious covered verses uncovered my
religious covered verses uncovered my modesty is not my headscarf it’s the way
modesty is not my headscarf it’s the way
modesty is not my headscarf it’s the way I move my body through the world my
I move my body through the world my
I move my body through the world my demeanor and my interactions my modesty
demeanor and my interactions my modesty
demeanor and my interactions my modesty is putting aside my ego and my arrogance
is putting aside my ego and my arrogance
is putting aside my ego and my arrogance and humbling myself so if this headscarf
and humbling myself so if this headscarf
and humbling myself so if this headscarf doesn’t fit with your version of Islam
doesn’t fit with your version of Islam
doesn’t fit with your version of Islam hubris and judgment does not fit with
hubris and judgment does not fit with
hubris and judgment does not fit with mine I don’t see modesty as an either-or
mine I don’t see modesty as an either-or
mine I don’t see modesty as an either-or I don’t see uncovered women as immoral
I don’t see uncovered women as immoral
I don’t see uncovered women as immoral or niqab draped women as a height of
or niqab draped women as a height of
or niqab draped women as a height of piety modesty and empowerment of the
piety modesty and empowerment of the
piety modesty and empowerment of the modern woman is not black or white and
modern woman is not black or white and
modern woman is not black or white and we have to confront these character
we have to confront these character
we have to confront these character values and morality judgements assigned
values and morality judgements assigned
values and morality judgements assigned to a woman’s appearance the issue though
to a woman’s appearance the issue though
to a woman’s appearance the issue though is so far beyond covering up we have to
is so far beyond covering up we have to
is so far beyond covering up we have to address the elephant in the room and
address the elephant in the room and
address the elephant in the room and that is Islamophobia rarely would you
that is Islamophobia rarely would you
that is Islamophobia rarely would you question a nun’s habit African headwraps
question a nun’s habit African headwraps
question a nun’s habit African headwraps or the British royal family is strict
or the British royal family is strict
or the British royal family is strict dress code and if it makes you feel
dress code and if it makes you feel
dress code and if it makes you feel uncomfortable to think about it it
uncomfortable to think about it it
uncomfortable to think about it it should the reasons behind this long stem
should the reasons behind this long stem
should the reasons behind this long stem from colonialism and the categorization
from colonialism and the categorization
from colonialism and the categorization of Middle Eastern cultures as primitive
of Middle Eastern cultures as primitive
of Middle Eastern cultures as primitive we can never divorce our socio-political
we can never divorce our socio-political
we can never divorce our socio-political climate from the values we associate
climate from the values we associate
climate from the values we associate with these head coverings past or
with these head coverings past or
with these head coverings past or present to the core of it why does
present to the core of it why does
present to the core of it why does anyone care how anyone else chooses to
anyone care how anyone else chooses to
anyone care how anyone else chooses to dress strip away religious influences
dress strip away religious influences
dress strip away religious influences strip away classes factors personal
strip away classes factors personal
strip away classes factors personal choice it should be about respecting
choice it should be about respecting
choice it should be about respecting someone’s right to self-determination
someone’s right to self-determination
someone’s right to self-determination and their bodily autonomy and I’m not
and their bodily autonomy and I’m not
and their bodily autonomy and I’m not standing here in front of you today
standing here in front of you today
standing here in front of you today saying I’m this perfect human being
saying I’m this perfect human being
saying I’m this perfect human being without my bias easing my judgments I’m
without my bias easing my judgments I’m
without my bias easing my judgments I’m not saying I’m a role model in fact I
not saying I’m a role model in fact I
not saying I’m a role model in fact I like to say I mean
like to say I mean
like to say I mean anteye role model I’m much too human and
anteye role model I’m much too human and
anteye role model I’m much too human and much too emotional to be representative
much too emotional to be representative
much too emotional to be representative of anything trust me and just another
of anything trust me and just another
of anything trust me and just another Muslim woman walking my journey with
Muslim woman walking my journey with
Muslim woman walking my journey with Allah by my side and a whole lot of
Allah by my side and a whole lot of
Allah by my side and a whole lot of blisters on my feet so the question that
blisters on my feet so the question that
blisters on my feet so the question that some of you may want to ask why does
some of you may want to ask why does
some of you may want to ask why does that woman wear the headscarf and why
that woman wear the headscarf and why
that woman wear the headscarf and why does she wear it like that the truth is
does she wear it like that the truth is
does she wear it like that the truth is we don’t have enough words in enough
we don’t have enough words in enough
we don’t have enough words in enough languages to tell you why so save us all
languages to tell you why so save us all
languages to tell you why so save us all the mental gymnastics and just go with
the mental gymnastics and just go with
the mental gymnastics and just go with it thank you
it thank you
it thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] you
you
you [Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
somewhere between 9/11 and the burka ban
somewhere between 9/11 and the burka ban we lost the humanity of the women behind
we lost the humanity of the women behind
we lost the humanity of the women behind the head scarves Muslim women became
the head scarves Muslim women became
the head scarves Muslim women became talking points stripped of identities
talking points stripped of identities
talking points stripped of identities and humanity I’m not here to talk
and humanity I’m not here to talk
and humanity I’m not here to talk religion and a few of you’ll be wiping
religion and a few of you’ll be wiping
religion and a few of you’ll be wiping your brow I’m done with the age-old
your brow I’m done with the age-old
your brow I’m done with the age-old debates and the back-and-forth about
debates and the back-and-forth about
debates and the back-and-forth about Scripture I’ll leave that one for the
Scripture I’ll leave that one for the
Scripture I’ll leave that one for the scholars when you ask a woman why she
scholars when you ask a woman why she
scholars when you ask a woman why she wears the hijab we tend to rely on
wears the hijab we tend to rely on
wears the hijab we tend to rely on Scripture and statistics we forget that
Scripture and statistics we forget that
Scripture and statistics we forget that there’s this whole human being sitting
there’s this whole human being sitting
there’s this whole human being sitting in front of us but these women have
in front of us but these women have
in front of us but these women have their own paths and journeys and
their own paths and journeys and
their own paths and journeys and spiritual stories that their lives in
spiritual stories that their lives in
spiritual stories that their lives in all their glory cannot possibly be
all their glory cannot possibly be
all their glory cannot possibly be summarized by the label hijab’ the hijab
summarized by the label hijab’ the hijab
summarized by the label hijab’ the hijab and veiling of Muslim women has long
and veiling of Muslim women has long
and veiling of Muslim women has long been politicized and stigmatized yet the
been politicized and stigmatized yet the
been politicized and stigmatized yet the reasons behind our intentions of
reasons behind our intentions of
reasons behind our intentions of covering up have been misunderstood
covering up have been misunderstood
covering up have been misunderstood underrepresented and silenced yet hyper
underrepresented and silenced yet hyper
underrepresented and silenced yet hyper visible and tokenized this is the
visible and tokenized this is the
visible and tokenized this is the uncomfortable line we tread as modern
uncomfortable line we tread as modern
uncomfortable line we tread as modern muscle men I wish I could tell you that
muscle men I wish I could tell you that
muscle men I wish I could tell you that hijab was just a contentious talking
hijab was just a contentious talking
hijab was just a contentious talking point in non-muslim communities the
point in non-muslim communities the
point in non-muslim communities the truth is being a Muslim woman and
truth is being a Muslim woman and
truth is being a Muslim woman and veiling in any sense becomes a challenge
veiling in any sense becomes a challenge
veiling in any sense becomes a challenge in all parts of society in all niches
in all parts of society in all niches
in all parts of society in all niches and almost every culture people obsess
and almost every culture people obsess
and almost every culture people obsess with the covering and the uncovering of
with the covering and the uncovering of
with the covering and the uncovering of feminine bodies Muslim women we face
feminine bodies Muslim women we face
feminine bodies Muslim women we face opposition and judgment at every turn
opposition and judgment at every turn
opposition and judgment at every turn we’re too covered to assimilate yet too
we’re too covered to assimilate yet too
we’re too covered to assimilate yet too exposed to escape the judgment of fellow
exposed to escape the judgment of fellow
exposed to escape the judgment of fellow Muslims some Muslims have a problem with
Muslims some Muslims have a problem with
Muslims some Muslims have a problem with the way others choose to wear their head
the way others choose to wear their head
the way others choose to wear their head wrap or weave modesty into their
wrap or weave modesty into their
wrap or weave modesty into their lifestyle
lifestyle
lifestyle you’re showing too much neck your hair
you’re showing too much neck your hair
you’re showing too much neck your hair is showing
is showing
is showing pants aren’t modest you’re wearing too
pants aren’t modest you’re wearing too
pants aren’t modest you’re wearing too much makeup just some of the things my
much makeup just some of the things my
much makeup just some of the things my sisters and I hear on a day-to-day basis
sisters and I hear on a day-to-day basis
sisters and I hear on a day-to-day basis they think it’s improper that we use
they think it’s improper that we use
they think it’s improper that we use their label to describe ourselves
Muslims and non-muslims alike don’t
Muslims and non-muslims alike don’t consider me a valid hijab’ yet visibly
consider me a valid hijab’ yet visibly
consider me a valid hijab’ yet visibly Muslim enough to be subject to
Muslim enough to be subject to
Muslim enough to be subject to discrimination in Islamophobia Muslims
discrimination in Islamophobia Muslims
discrimination in Islamophobia Muslims still say Salam Sisto when they see me
still say Salam Sisto when they see me
still say Salam Sisto when they see me in the street there’s nothing new about
in the street there’s nothing new about
in the street there’s nothing new about this this is the same fight that women
this this is the same fight that women
this this is the same fight that women of all cultures from all generations
of all cultures from all generations
of all cultures from all generations have been fighting for generations it’s
have been fighting for generations it’s
have been fighting for generations it’s just been repackaged identity politics
just been repackaged identity politics
just been repackaged identity politics in this regard has become increasingly
in this regard has become increasingly
in this regard has become increasingly divisive where people feel they cannot
divisive where people feel they cannot
divisive where people feel they cannot identify with more than one label that’s
identify with more than one label that’s
identify with more than one label that’s supposedly contradictory you can’t be
supposedly contradictory you can’t be
supposedly contradictory you can’t be religious and left-wing you can’t be
religious and left-wing you can’t be
religious and left-wing you can’t be veiled and feminist you can’t believe in
veiled and feminist you can’t believe in
veiled and feminist you can’t believe in a creator and have a scientific mind I’m
a creator and have a scientific mind I’m
a creator and have a scientific mind I’m a woman of science I spent a whole year
a woman of science I spent a whole year
a woman of science I spent a whole year researching something we call non-coding
researching something we call non-coding
researching something we call non-coding DNA parts of our DNA we thought we’re
DNA parts of our DNA we thought we’re
DNA parts of our DNA we thought we’re junk because they didn’t make anything
junk because they didn’t make anything
junk because they didn’t make anything for ourselves I feel the same way about
for ourselves I feel the same way about
for ourselves I feel the same way about the parts of myself that aren’t tangible
the parts of myself that aren’t tangible
the parts of myself that aren’t tangible to you my appearance is one thing you
to you my appearance is one thing you
to you my appearance is one thing you can label but I’m a myriad of components
can label but I’m a myriad of components
can label but I’m a myriad of components that are so significant to developing
that are so significant to developing
that are so significant to developing Who I am you can’t see or label and
Who I am you can’t see or label and
Who I am you can’t see or label and they’re just as valid parts of me now I
they’re just as valid parts of me now I
they’re just as valid parts of me now I strongly believe that the true
strongly believe that the true
strongly believe that the true representation of a modern Muslim woman
representation of a modern Muslim woman
representation of a modern Muslim woman does not exist because we are not a
does not exist because we are not a
does not exist because we are not a modern life we’re not here to prove or
modern life we’re not here to prove or
modern life we’re not here to prove or disprove your assumptions and we don’t
disprove your assumptions and we don’t
disprove your assumptions and we don’t exist to break your stereotypes so
exist to break your stereotypes so
exist to break your stereotypes so picture me it’s 2:00 a.m. and I’m
picture me it’s 2:00 a.m. and I’m
picture me it’s 2:00 a.m. and I’m getting ready to drop my sister to the
getting ready to drop my sister to the
getting ready to drop my sister to the airport that’s where you kind of know it
airport that’s where you kind of know it
airport that’s where you kind of know it goes downhill Muslim woman in an airport
goes downhill Muslim woman in an airport
goes downhill Muslim woman in an airport I’m fumbling around my broom and just
I’m fumbling around my broom and just
I’m fumbling around my broom and just throwing on anything I can grab partly
throwing on anything I can grab partly
throwing on anything I can grab partly because of her job but partly if not
because of her job but partly if not
because of her job but partly if not mainly because it’s about three degrees
mainly because it’s about three degrees
mainly because it’s about three degrees outside in the middle of July and it is
outside in the middle of July and it is
outside in the middle of July and it is freezing and I am Egyptian so we don’t
freezing and I am Egyptian so we don’t
freezing and I am Egyptian so we don’t do cold weather we go to the airport and
do cold weather we go to the airport and
do cold weather we go to the airport and we weigh my sister’s bags and we grab a
we weigh my sister’s bags and we grab a
we weigh my sister’s bags and we grab a cup of coffee because 3 a.m. Zena is
cup of coffee because 3 a.m. Zena is
cup of coffee because 3 a.m. Zena is just terrifying to the public headscarf
just terrifying to the public headscarf
just terrifying to the public headscarf or not and we get to the checkpoint and
or not and we get to the checkpoint and
or not and we get to the checkpoint and this man starts boring a hole in the
this man starts boring a hole in the
this man starts boring a hole in the side of my head
side of my head
side of my head here we go sorry miss you can’t go
here we go sorry miss you can’t go
here we go sorry miss you can’t go through there please remove that he
through there please remove that he
through there please remove that he points at my beret I start explaining oh
points at my beret I start explaining oh
points at my beret I start explaining oh I know it doesn’t look traditional but
I know it doesn’t look traditional but
I know it doesn’t look traditional but you see I’m wearing it for religious
you see I’m wearing it for religious
you see I’m wearing it for religious reasons I just need a woman and another
reasons I just need a woman and another
reasons I just need a woman and another room and I can take it off he raises an
room and I can take it off he raises an
room and I can take it off he raises an eyebrow I continually nervously try to
eyebrow I continually nervously try to
eyebrow I continually nervously try to explain and I stop and I wonder why on
explain and I stop and I wonder why on
explain and I stop and I wonder why on earth I’m about to launch into hijab 101
earth I’m about to launch into hijab 101
earth I’m about to launch into hijab 101 with this security guard he insists no I
with this security guard he insists no I
with this security guard he insists no I know what that looks like you don’t look
know what that looks like you don’t look
know what that looks like you don’t look like one of them take it off you can
like one of them take it off you can
like one of them take it off you can imagine how the rest of the transaction
imagine how the rest of the transaction
imagine how the rest of the transaction went I didn’t take it off and he didn’t
went I didn’t take it off and he didn’t
went I didn’t take it off and he didn’t make it through the gate I had been
make it through the gate I had been
make it through the gate I had been discriminated against nothing new for a
discriminated against nothing new for a
discriminated against nothing new for a Muslim woman but in a moment of great
Muslim woman but in a moment of great
Muslim woman but in a moment of great irony it was because I didn’t look
irony it was because I didn’t look
irony it was because I didn’t look enough like a Muslim woman damn you for
enough like a Muslim woman damn you for
enough like a Muslim woman damn you for not fitting into my stereotype so
not fitting into my stereotype so
not fitting into my stereotype so frustrating but to be brutally honest
frustrating but to be brutally honest
frustrating but to be brutally honest with you I wasn’t wearing this at all
with you I wasn’t wearing this at all
with you I wasn’t wearing this at all last year in fact I wasn’t living a
last year in fact I wasn’t living a
last year in fact I wasn’t living a modest lifestyle I was doing nude photo
modest lifestyle I was doing nude photo
modest lifestyle I was doing nude photo shoots and body scape modeling and that
shoots and body scape modeling and that
shoots and body scape modeling and that was just me and months ago so if you had
was just me and months ago so if you had
was just me and months ago so if you had told me that next year I’d be on this
told me that next year I’d be on this
told me that next year I’d be on this stage talking to you about my headscarf
stage talking to you about my headscarf
stage talking to you about my headscarf I would have lost you out of the room
I would have lost you out of the room
I would have lost you out of the room what people struggle here with is the
what people struggle here with is the
what people struggle here with is the dichotomy but why must there be one what
dichotomy but why must there be one what
dichotomy but why must there be one what happens when I become my
happens when I become my
happens when I become my point of reference and allow myself that
point of reference and allow myself that
point of reference and allow myself that room to grow the woman you see before
room to grow the woman you see before
room to grow the woman you see before you is quite different yes but I’m very
you is quite different yes but I’m very
you is quite different yes but I’m very much the same my spirituality and my
much the same my spirituality and my
much the same my spirituality and my religion is just one part of the dynamic
religion is just one part of the dynamic
religion is just one part of the dynamic and painfully flawed human being that I
and painfully flawed human being that I
and painfully flawed human being that I am I didn’t put on this headscarf
am I didn’t put on this headscarf
am I didn’t put on this headscarf because I had it all figured out I put
because I had it all figured out I put
because I had it all figured out I put it on as an act of self exploration
it on as an act of self exploration
it on as an act of self exploration allowing myself to experience who I was
allowing myself to experience who I was
allowing myself to experience who I was fully without worrying about other
fully without worrying about other
fully without worrying about other people it signified a point in my life
people it signified a point in my life
people it signified a point in my life where I cared more about myself than
where I cared more about myself than
where I cared more about myself than other people’s perceptions of me
other people’s perceptions of me
other people’s perceptions of me my reasons for wearing the headscarf are
my reasons for wearing the headscarf are
my reasons for wearing the headscarf are too fluid and ever-changing for me to
too fluid and ever-changing for me to
too fluid and ever-changing for me to cement down in this short talk or in
cement down in this short talk or in
cement down in this short talk or in response to a question my feelings about
response to a question my feelings about
response to a question my feelings about the veil are so complex they’re not even
the veil are so complex they’re not even
the veil are so complex they’re not even fully known to myself and the emotional
fully known to myself and the emotional
fully known to myself and the emotional labor of picking up that question as to
labor of picking up that question as to
labor of picking up that question as to why I wear it is sometimes more than I
why I wear it is sometimes more than I
why I wear it is sometimes more than I have the energy for my body is not a
have the energy for my body is not a
have the energy for my body is not a commodity my body is not a political
commodity my body is not a political
commodity my body is not a political playground it does not exist to break
playground it does not exist to break
playground it does not exist to break your stereotypes or placate your
your stereotypes or placate your
your stereotypes or placate your ideologies for you some people really
ideologies for you some people really
ideologies for you some people really want this vocal condemnation of my past
want this vocal condemnation of my past
want this vocal condemnation of my past actions and I won’t do it I don’t or any
actions and I won’t do it I don’t or any
actions and I won’t do it I don’t or any human being that it’s part of my journey
human being that it’s part of my journey
human being that it’s part of my journey part of what got me here today and if
part of what got me here today and if
part of what got me here today and if that doesn’t fit into your box of what a
that doesn’t fit into your box of what a
that doesn’t fit into your box of what a Muslim woman looks like feel free to
Muslim woman looks like feel free to
Muslim woman looks like feel free to keep that box I’m a little
keep that box I’m a little
keep that box I’m a little claustrophobic anyway part of living my
claustrophobic anyway part of living my
claustrophobic anyway part of living my truth as a modern Muslim woman has
truth as a modern Muslim woman has
truth as a modern Muslim woman has become modesty and my embodiment of it
become modesty and my embodiment of it
become modesty and my embodiment of it is not the same as it is for any other
is not the same as it is for any other
is not the same as it is for any other Muslim woman and nor should it have to
Muslim woman and nor should it have to
Muslim woman and nor should it have to be but what is modesty is it the
be but what is modesty is it the
be but what is modesty is it the opposite of naked is it purely
opposite of naked is it purely
opposite of naked is it purely physicality these were the questions I
physicality these were the questions I
physicality these were the questions I was asking myself on my journey some
was asking myself on my journey some
was asking myself on my journey some people want to see it as a progression
people want to see it as a progression
people want to see it as a progression from uncovered to covet I choose to see
from uncovered to covet I choose to see
from uncovered to covet I choose to see it as a spectrum with inherent freedoms
it as a spectrum with inherent freedoms
it as a spectrum with inherent freedoms I love people’s expressions when they
I love people’s expressions when they
I love people’s expressions when they tell me I’m not wearing the headscarf
tell me I’m not wearing the headscarf
tell me I’m not wearing the headscarf properly and I looked him dead in the
properly and I looked him dead in the
properly and I looked him dead in the eye and I tell them that last year I
eye and I tell them that last year I
eye and I tell them that last year I wasn’t wearing it at all much less any
wasn’t wearing it at all much less any
wasn’t wearing it at all much less any other clothing this shocked expressions
other clothing this shocked expressions
other clothing this shocked expressions are exactly why I am here
are exactly why I am here
are exactly why I am here and I get it I do people want neat boxes
and I get it I do people want neat boxes
and I get it I do people want neat boxes immoral vests moral liberated verse
immoral vests moral liberated verse
immoral vests moral liberated verse religious covered verses uncovered my
religious covered verses uncovered my
religious covered verses uncovered my modesty is not my headscarf it’s the way
modesty is not my headscarf it’s the way
modesty is not my headscarf it’s the way I move my body through the world my
I move my body through the world my
I move my body through the world my demeanor and my interactions my modesty
demeanor and my interactions my modesty
demeanor and my interactions my modesty is putting aside my ego and my arrogance
is putting aside my ego and my arrogance
is putting aside my ego and my arrogance and humbling myself so if this headscarf
and humbling myself so if this headscarf
and humbling myself so if this headscarf doesn’t fit with your version of Islam
doesn’t fit with your version of Islam
doesn’t fit with your version of Islam hubris and judgment does not fit with
hubris and judgment does not fit with
hubris and judgment does not fit with mine I don’t see modesty as an either-or
mine I don’t see modesty as an either-or
mine I don’t see modesty as an either-or I don’t see uncovered women as immoral
I don’t see uncovered women as immoral
I don’t see uncovered women as immoral or niqab draped women as a height of
or niqab draped women as a height of
or niqab draped women as a height of piety modesty and empowerment of the
piety modesty and empowerment of the
piety modesty and empowerment of the modern woman is not black or white and
modern woman is not black or white and
modern woman is not black or white and we have to confront these character
we have to confront these character
we have to confront these character values and morality judgements assigned
values and morality judgements assigned
values and morality judgements assigned to a woman’s appearance the issue though
to a woman’s appearance the issue though
to a woman’s appearance the issue though is so far beyond covering up we have to
is so far beyond covering up we have to
is so far beyond covering up we have to address the elephant in the room and
address the elephant in the room and
address the elephant in the room and that is Islamophobia rarely would you
that is Islamophobia rarely would you
that is Islamophobia rarely would you question a nun’s habit African headwraps
question a nun’s habit African headwraps
question a nun’s habit African headwraps or the British royal family is strict
or the British royal family is strict
or the British royal family is strict dress code and if it makes you feel
dress code and if it makes you feel
dress code and if it makes you feel uncomfortable to think about it it
uncomfortable to think about it it
uncomfortable to think about it it should the reasons behind this long stem
should the reasons behind this long stem
should the reasons behind this long stem from colonialism and the categorization
from colonialism and the categorization
from colonialism and the categorization of Middle Eastern cultures as primitive
of Middle Eastern cultures as primitive
of Middle Eastern cultures as primitive we can never divorce our socio-political
we can never divorce our socio-political
we can never divorce our socio-political climate from the values we associate
climate from the values we associate
climate from the values we associate with these head coverings past or
with these head coverings past or
with these head coverings past or present to the core of it why does
present to the core of it why does
present to the core of it why does anyone care how anyone else chooses to
anyone care how anyone else chooses to
anyone care how anyone else chooses to dress strip away religious influences
dress strip away religious influences
dress strip away religious influences strip away classes factors personal
strip away classes factors personal
strip away classes factors personal choice it should be about respecting
choice it should be about respecting
choice it should be about respecting someone’s right to self-determination
someone’s right to self-determination
someone’s right to self-determination and their bodily autonomy and I’m not
and their bodily autonomy and I’m not
and their bodily autonomy and I’m not standing here in front of you today
standing here in front of you today
standing here in front of you today saying I’m this perfect human being
saying I’m this perfect human being
saying I’m this perfect human being without my bias easing my judgments I’m
without my bias easing my judgments I’m
without my bias easing my judgments I’m not saying I’m a role model in fact I
not saying I’m a role model in fact I
not saying I’m a role model in fact I like to say I mean
like to say I mean
like to say I mean anteye role model I’m much too human and
anteye role model I’m much too human and
anteye role model I’m much too human and much too emotional to be representative
much too emotional to be representative
much too emotional to be representative of anything trust me and just another
of anything trust me and just another
of anything trust me and just another Muslim woman walking my journey with
Muslim woman walking my journey with
Muslim woman walking my journey with Allah by my side and a whole lot of
Allah by my side and a whole lot of
Allah by my side and a whole lot of blisters on my feet so the question that
blisters on my feet so the question that
blisters on my feet so the question that some of you may want to ask why does
some of you may want to ask why does
some of you may want to ask why does that woman wear the headscarf and why
that woman wear the headscarf and why
that woman wear the headscarf and why does she wear it like that the truth is
does she wear it like that the truth is
does she wear it like that the truth is we don’t have enough words in enough
we don’t have enough words in enough
we don’t have enough words in enough languages to tell you why so save us all
languages to tell you why so save us all
languages to tell you why so save us all the mental gymnastics and just go with
the mental gymnastics and just go with
the mental gymnastics and just go with it thank you
it thank you
it thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] you
you
you [Applause]
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