I remember the first year I tried out wearing the hijab before committing to it I was 20 maybe. I was like - lets see how it goes! It wasn’t until when I walked into meetings and men in suits asking me to take my hijab off if I wanted to sign with the label- it wasn’t until when this happened when I felt it was important to stay true to myself. Man... there were a number of times - even for shoots I was asked to show some shoulders or my knee and i just walked away. When I was the first hijab singer songwriter in my country some fashion magazines back then didn’t even want to put me on the cover.. It was unheard of- hijabi on the fashion magazine cover. Things are so different today. I’m happy to see more of my sisters out there doing their thing, and the world becoming more accepting women like me, regardless of how we wore our scarf turban or hijab- to see our calibre, our soul, our identity. But back then- The prejudice was real. People in my field looked at me a certain way, I just had to ignore it and move forward. I literally just prayed that all will be okay & talked to my mom, and take it slowly day by day. I did my thing with the intention to make MY music, and help giving my family a better life.. What I have today is such a blessing alhamdulillah. Thank you everyone who gave me an opportunity to shine, giving me work, & also for being tough on me too. I needed it to strive.
Here’s a throwback when @instylemagazine took a chance with this hijabi and did an 6 page fashion spread / article on me in 2016.🙏🏽❤️
Happy world hijab day✨ @ Brooklyn, New York City
