Texas State Student Combats Negative Muslim Stereotypes

By Carlos Marquez III
Senior News Reporter

The Texas State Muslim Student Association develops cooperation and understanding among Muslim Students. The organization also welcomes students of various other faiths as well as students of non­-faith to participate in congregational prayers and cultural activities. Their mission is to help Muslim students and Non-­Muslim students become aware of each other’s surroundings, beliefs and cultures to better understand and collaborate in their student activities and events.

One Texas State Muslim student participates in the Muslim Student Association and practices her religion routinely. Texas State Biochemistry student Shahad Amdeen does not think that wearing a Hijab is weird.

“I am a Muslim and being Muslim in this country is very hard,” Amdeen said. “Especially with wearing the veil, it’s very like, I feel that this is kind of a risk but I [continue to wear] the veil and I feel happy and grateful that I’m wearing [a] veil because I don’t feel [like] it’s me if I take it off. I hear that a lot of people tell me that, ‘oh, take this veil off, you know, you’re not going to be able to find a job, nobody [is] going to hire you, nobody [is] going to like you here’. Sometimes I feel that I’m weird but right now I’m over [that] feeling, I’m over it and I’m [a] successful person, I hope I’ll be one of the successful people in the future.”

Shahad also explained that she wears the Hijab veil in the belief that it keeps her from attracting a male using a physical attribute such as her hair, which she thinks should not be used to attract a male. However, Shahad also explained how in some countries such as Saudi Arabia, the concealment of the face where the eyes are only shown has allowed males to go where men aren’t allowed. She is not against this practice but she feels that it is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Shahad was previously a pharmacy student while she lived in Egypt and now she hopes to one day work in the research industry or drug manufacturing industry. She says that though the hijab veil is being modernized and the tradition of concealing certain body parts is quickly changing, she will continue to wear the veil in the way she feels is right.