Embracing the hijab lifestyle with an eye toward fashion

On Thursday, June 2, members of UC Irvine’s Muslim Scholar Union collected at Delta Accommodations by Marriott in Garden Grove for the club’s banquet.

Banquets are an event to dress up, and for pupil and product Rahan Alemi, they’re also a time to convey herself by means of vogue.

No issue the situation having said that, Alemi has just one accessory she wears with each outfit: hijab.

“One massive element of hijab is people today suppose that we are oppressed if we put on hijab,” claimed Alemi, “but it is actually pretty the opposite. Hijab offers me liberty, hijab gives me liberty … liberty from societal requirements and magnificence criteria.”

Hijab is a head covering worn by some Islamic gals, but it refers to a lot more than just a head scarf. Hijab is a life-style that has a determination to dwelling modestly with adore for God at its heart.

Alemi stated when she commenced modeling for Muslim-owned fashion models last calendar year, she began to embrace hijab.

“It was about 2021 that I started modeling for Muslim providers and modest outfits corporations that also marketed hijab and modest clothes and attire,” claimed Alemi. “That is what acquired me into practicing hijab outside the house of house and exterior of the mosque.”

Alemi mentioned as she greater her expertise of her faith and applied it to her everyday living, she fell in like with the that means at the rear of the apply and felt empowered sporting the Islamic head-masking.

“It definitely designed me really feel content and relaxed and proud to be carrying it,” Alemi said.

In August 2021, Alemi fully commited to carrying hijab thoroughly.

“I had been wanting to wear hijab for a pair decades, but I in no way experienced the braveness or toughness to essentially follow by means of with it, with the way modern society is. I was truthfully afraid of how I could be dealt with or the possibilities I may possibly reduce since of judgment and stereotypes,” claimed Alemi.

Alemi is the first lady in her Afghan family to make this kind of a motivation.

“I am the initial girl in my relatives on the two my mom and dad’s side to be donning hijab. At very first it was a tough notion for the reason that within our tradition several men and women never use hijab” explained Alemi. “It is a stereotype that it is an Arab culture detail, but in actuality it is an Islamic detail.”

Alemi, who has been lively on social media because 2019, also eradicated all pictures and video clips that showed her hair. Her household turned amazed with her commitment.

“Eventually, my household observed my love and passion for it, and now I am so pleased to have my parents and my siblings be so proud of me for taking that action not only for our family but for our local community,” Alemi claimed.

Alemi carries on to be active on social media, putting up herself in high-fashion outfits or modest swimwear, but normally with hijab. This calendar year through the Islamic holy thirty day period of Ramadan, Alemi teamed up with Human Worry Worldwide to increase funds for orphans and youngsters in need in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria and far more.

“Human Problem Global is a nonprofit business that achieved out to major influencers who can make an impact and increase money in get to help,” mentioned Alemi.

Alemi’s marketing campaign raised $1,245.

She explained her system has also allowed her to make connections with other Muslim girls in the local community.

“Being a purpose design for other female on line, I have experienced lots of people today arrive at out to me indicating how considerably I served them in their journey, by observing my journey. I have been on social media for a long time now, and for my IG followers and my new followers, to see a young lady in Southern California surrounded my non-Muslims staying ready to do that for myself is extremely inspiring for them.”

Her representation of hijabi woman is not just on the internet but at manner occasions in actual daily life.

“At OC Style Week, I was invited as a design and influencer and was the only hijabi lady there,” claimed Alemi. “It was a surprise to quite a few folks as nicely mainly because they ended up not expecting to see that, or they weren’t anticipating to see [a] Muslim lady in the vogue industry.”

Alemi claimed attending activities like OC Fashion Week give her a opportunity to show that ladies who have on hijab are not essentially oppressed.

“They can see that I am not what people today may stereotype Muslim girl to be,” reported Alemi. “Many of my pals and my friends have told me they are so satisfied to have a representative like me to demonstrate that Muslim woman aren’t oppressed and they are permitted to be resourceful and be creative and categorical what they love to do.”

Alemi graduated from Irvine Valley University this yr and will be attending UCI in the fall, in which she plans to be active in the Muslim College student Union and pursue a diploma in law, all when carrying hijab.

“My hijab is my crown,” said Alemi. “I am seriously very pleased of it.”

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