MAPLEWOOD -- The line for autographs wrapped around the room, through the building, out the door and across the street.

Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad greeted fans inside the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday after a parade and a ceremony at the township library as the community welcomed her back to her hometown of Maplewood.

Muhammad, who won a bronze medal in the team sabre event last month, has used her popularity in Rio to insist that in a time of divisive political rhetoric, a Muslim woman in a hijab can represent the United States as well as anyone else.

The 31-year-old athlete repeated that message outside Maplewood Library's main branch Saturday in front of hundreds of cheering fans. Throughout her whole life in Maplewood, Muhammad said, she has always felt welcome.

"Even in those moments when I'm on the road and I'm fencing and I was told that I didn't belong or that I shouldn't fence because I was a girl or because I was black or because I was Muslim, I want everyone here to know that I've never felt that here at home," she said.

Wearing a U.S. Olympics team T-shirt and her bronze medal around her neck, Muhammad told the crowd she hoped to serve as an example to people who feel limited by some aspect of who they are.

"For all the children out there who've ever been told that they don't belong, that there are things that they can't do, know that I'm a testament to hard work and faith and knowing that God has a plan for you," she said. "You can do whatever you want if you're willing to work hard for it."

Several of Muhammad's relatives stood among the crowd outside the performing arts center as the fencer greeted people. Her aunt, Judy Bey, said Muhammad has been overwhelmed by support since she returned from Rio.

Among her biggest fans is her nine-year-old cousin Amwar Bey, who showed off a poster and postcard signed by Muhammad. He said he had watched her and her teammates on TV throughout the Olympics.

His favorite moment?

"Her winning," he said.

Eight-year-old Maya Ezell wore fencing pants to the parade and autograph signing. She went to the same elementary school as Muhammad and now fences at the New Jersey Fencing Alliance, where Muhammad trained.

She was excited when she first joined the gym and learned they were training a soon-to-be Olympic athlete. Now, Muhammad serves as an example for her.

"I'm really happy for her and inspired by her," Maya said.

In the eyes of Charles Ezell, Maya's dad and an assistant principal at Columbia High School, the school's now-famous alumna is an ideal national ambassador.

"She is America's promise realized in one person," he said of Muhammad. "She's everything that we could all be."

Marisa Iati may be reached at miati@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Marisa_Iati. Find NJ.com on Facebook.