By: Erin Horwitz

This picture shows Fahmo, Vice President of the Women’s Muslim Student Association, Fahmo Muhammed, in a meeting at the Muslim Student Association.

Sitting in the Mills International Center, Fahmo Muhammad blends in. Surrounded by students of varying cultures and religions, and the pouring rain outside, she looks like everyone else. Her pink hijab complements her dark skin and her long skirt and jacket keeps her warm and dry. She is strongly connected to her culture, religion, and heritage. Although Fahmo was born in Nairobi, Kenya, she moved to Clackamas, Oregon when she was five years old, joining her aunt. When Fahmo started as a freshman here at the University of Oregon, she heard rumors that the Muslim Student Association did not allow girls to participate in their events. She, along with her friend Sabeen Waqar, went to the Muslim Student Association and found at these rumors were untrue, and Sabeen and Fahmo became involved in the Muslim Student Association. Although their events are open to all students, Fahmo and Sabeen are the only two women officers involved. Passionate about her religion, Fahmo and Sabeen started working to form the Women Muslim Student Union, where women are more likely to feel comfortable being involved. Traditionally, Muslim women dress very modestly, and many, like Fahmo, wear a traditional headscarf known as a hijab. Fahmo says that many women appreciate having the Women’s Muslim Student Association as, “it gives them an opportunity to socialize unveiled. No men are at our gatherings so we can take off the hijab and socialize as any other group

This picture shows Fahmo and Sabeen, the two founders of the Women’s Muslim Student Association.

of women do”.

Fahmo has worn her hijab for as long as she can remember, as Kenya is a very conservative country. However after the terrorist attacks on September 11, “my parents didn’t want me to wear my hijab to school. I wore it everywhere else…they didn’t want me to be harassed or face more discrimination, especially because I was so young.” Here at the University of Oregon, Fahmo does get harassed occasionally. She feels that because she is both black and wears a hijab she is an easy target, especially as the University of Oregon lacks diversity and education about Muslim students. The goal of both the Muslim Student Association and Women’s Muslim Student Association is to create awareness and educate the community about Islam. “It is my duty”, says Fahmo, “to build ummah (community) here for the Muslim Students. Most of the students are international students, and we built our own family here on campus.”

This photo demonstrates the small meditation space offered to students who wish to pray on campus.

Here is a close up of Fahmo while she prays in the emergency exit of the Mill’s International Center.

Here is a detail shot of Fahmo’s hijab, which she has worn for as long as she could remember.