Join us at Qahwa for a special talk with Olympic medalist and New York Times best selling author Ibtihaj Muhammad!

Ibtihaj will discuss her journey as an athlete, author and public figure, highlighting the added challenges faced by being the first Muslim American hijabi in the Olympics. Following the talk will be a Q&A session where attendees can ask Ibtihaj questions about her own journey as an Olympian, Author, and role as a visibly Muslim public figure.

Prior to the talk, Ibtihaj will be available for a book singing for copies of her latest publication The Boldest White: A Story of Hijab and Community. Also available with be the NYT Best Seller The Proudest Blue, it's sequel The Kindest Red, and her memoir Proud.

This event is 14+ and open to men and women. It will start at promptly at 7:35 pm (after Maghrib Prayer.

Time permitting we will also have a Q&A session. Please submit any questions you have for Ibtihaj using this link and we will ask her the best ones! Include your name if you want us to read it out! https://app.sli.do/event/m6uGQeM5xXABKe8miQiYn1

Schedule:

6:30 – 7:05 - Book Signing

7:05 - 7:20 - Maghrib Prayer

7:35 – 8:35 – Talk

8:45 – 9:05 – Isha

About The Boldest White:

In this call to bravery from Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad, Faizah learns to overcome her fears and stand in front of the crowd in this beautiful celebration of family, fencing, and community.

Faizah loves being part of the community at her mosque, and she loves being part of the group at her fencing lessons. When all eyes are on her, though, Faizah freezes up. Mama says bravery will come with time, but there’s a fencing tournament coming up—does Faizah have what it takes to be bold?

About Ibtihaj Muhammad:

Ibtihaj Muhammad is an entrepreneur, author, activist, and Olympic medalist in fencing. A five-time Senior World medalist and World Champion, in 2016 she became the first American woman to compete in the Olympics in hijab, the first Muslim-American woman to win an Olympic medal, and the first Black woman to win an Olympic medal in the sabre event.

Ibtihaj's business ventures align with her deep passion to create visibility and equity for women and girls, including those who wear hijab—a group often underrepresented. In 2014 Ibtihaj launched her own clothing company, Louella, aiming to bring modest, fashionable and affordable clothing to the United States market. In 2017, Mattel honored Ibtihaj as a Barbie “Shero,” a woman who has broken boundaries to inspire the next generation of girls, modeling the first hijabi Barbie in her likeness. Ibtihaj released her debut memoir in 2018 titled PROUD: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream, followed by a series of children’s books including the NYT Best Seller "The Proudest Blue".

Ibtihaj Muhammad at Qahwa

Behind the Mask: Faith, Resilience & Representation