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Photographed by Sam Cannon.

Sobi Masood, 20, Fashion Writer



Tell us about the role religion played in your upbringing.

"I grew up in a fairly practicing Muslim household, which made a large impact on the person I am today and how I have chosen to practice my faith currently. I think it's safe to say that my parents instilled much more than ritualistic and cultural aspects of Islam —they made it a point to teach me key Islamic morals and principles that are applicable to almost all life situations. With various experiences, I have taken a further interest in the teachings of Islam and how they best apply to my life, which in turn helps me in the constant strive to become a better person."



What would you say is society’s greatest misconception of young Muslim women?

"I think society doesn’t understand that Muslim women do in fact have an intellect and volition (two things that I have been taught to hone my entire life) and they are not just subservient human beings that are forced into arranged marriages. Rather, we are movers, shakers, and producers, bringing passion and beauty to the world around us."



How has your religion influenced your personal style — and vice versa?

"What I have learned in the three years that I have worn a hijab — while simultaneously blogging about modest fashion — is that dressing modestly and being fashion-forward are certainly not mutually-exclusive...but they can go hand-in-hand. For most people, it’s simply about inspiration and figuring out a way to apply a certain trend to your style. Most models you see in advertisements and on runways are not necessarily dressed like typical Muslim or Orthodox Jewish women. However, you can certainly see a modestly dressed woman rocking a hijab, culottes, and platform shoes with sunglasses, a septum piercing, and a bold orange lip. (Goals, I know.) Sure, it takes some improvising, but it truly comes down to wearing what feels right and comfortable. Dressing modestly and wearing the hijab is extremely empowering; it allows me to really challenge myself in striving to be better."



Describe modesty, in your own terms.

"Modesty, to me, is more than just physically covering myself. It's about the modest behavior I strive to instill within myself. By behavior, I mean things like respectful interactions with Muslims and non-Muslims, etiquette in various situations, the way I speak or carry myself, and more.



"As for the the physical dressing, dressing 'modestly' is left open to interpretation. A predominant misconception is that women are forced to wear long black dresses and face veils, though Islam’s Holy Book of the Quran does not explicitly tell a woman what type of scarf or dress to wear or how she should wear it; it is simply prescribed to dress modestly while encompassing modest virtues. Many non-Muslims who oppose the hijab forget that the Virgin Mary is always depicted veiled and in modest dress. I certainly do not believe that wearing the hijab...means one is more pious and virtuous than one who does not wear it... Every Muslim woman has the right to interpret modesty the way she wishes and deems appropriate for herself. It's as simple as that."



Who is your style icon?

"The Olsen twins. They are just fabulous. From their red carpet looks to their street style, they are always on point. They always seem to incorporate just the right amount of boldness in their looks and they own it."



How would you describe the mission of MuslimGirl? Why do you think a site like this is important for young women?

"MuslimGirl is an empowering platform and a creative outlet in which young Muslim women are able to voice their opinions on matters relevant to us, whether they're religious, political, pop-culture-related, or more. Oftentimes, matters related to Muslim women are discussed without actually including a voice of a Muslim women. It is time for us to not only be included in the conversation, but for us to be put on the forefront to discuss a wide spectrum of related issues at hand.



"Being a part of the team that covers all things fashion, I find our section to be imperative to the fashion sphere. As a blogger, many girls find that dressing fashionably while still trying to apply aspects of the faith is difficult. However, with various lookbooks and trend-related posts, we hope to inspire and show girls that this is very much possible and within [their] budgets. We want them to be able to walk into a popular fashion retailer like Zara and H&M and realize that, with a bit of hunting and a little bit of improvising, you can walk out with an on-trend outfit that [you] look great and feel comfortable in. With these posts, we're slowly breaking the stereotypes of Muslim women — one outfit at a time."



How do you see your generation of observant Muslim women changing?

"I see somewhat of a revolution going on amongst my fellow Muslim ladies. Whether it’s an internal revolution or an external one, it’s amazing to see so many platforms being used as creative outlets for these revolutions. I see the power of change when we all come together for a greater cause; I see that we feed off of each other's positive energy and push each other to enlighten our corners of the world. I think we’re breaking the molds of the 'stereotypical observant Muslim woman' and I can confidently say that I have never seen something this empowering and beautiful."