COVERED Issue 3 Edition 4 | Page 17

__________________________________________________________________________________ What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume alone? (Vault) I collect special coins from the change I get! I have about three different R2 and about five different R5 coins! I recently got an “order of companions of OR Tambo” R5 which I never even knew existed! You can imagine the excitement!! Tell us what challenges you faced being a black youth wearing your hijab? Firstly, I do acknowledge the many challenges that surround Muslim women in hijab, especially black women in hijab but this was not something that I paid close attention to as it was my norm to be me and I didn’t see myself different to any other female (of other religions). I didn’t see this as a social and societal barrier and maybe that is why it wasn’t received negatively. I was always comfortable in my hijab as it’s actually used as a protective safety jewel of some sort. A part of society – whether you’re Muslim or not - is still divided along the lines of the colour of one’s skin (let alone racism), for me particularly, being a shade lighter and taken for being mixed race I cannot account for the numerous challenges that the rest of the sisters (with a darker shade) out there face but really it all boils down to perceiver’s self-exposition (if that’s even a word) of their miseducation – self- embarrassment really. But to answer the question, there are many challenges that can be broken down into 1. Being black and wearing hijab, 2. Being young and wearing hijab and 3. Being black and young wearing hijab… I have always been asked many questions that mostly are asked with good intentions and I’ve always took it upon myself to preach the Deen in educating those I meet along the way of why I actually wear my hijab, those with the not so good intentions (which are rare) you have to treat very delicately (and like I said a self-exposition of their own miseducation). Makeup by Bushra Zohaib @makeupbybuh.z Stylist – Razeena Docrat @razee_d I reached a point in life where my surroundings was of a great environment (comprised mostly of people from other faiths – at first was out of my comfort zone but we learn and adapt and build friendships!) whom, because of our time spent together, knew the ins and outs about why I wear the hijab, me being Muslim and Islam as a whole that when there was a newbie to the group or someone having any questions, my circle would take it from me and task themselves to respond on my behalf… and to me I think that’s a beautiful demonstration of what I stand for - Social justice through Education! “I envision an African Youth that is, most importantly, educated about the history of Africa so as to properly define, create and implement an “Africanessee” that looks beyond border lines and is ready to push the agenda of “One Africa” whilst dismantling the ugliness of the signs of slavery and colonialism where ever they rear their ugly head.”