Hijab-wearing women have made significant contributions to fields like science and technology, yet their achievements are often overlooked by mainstream media. Women Scientists in Hijab, balancing their faith and professional success, challenge stereotypes and prove that attire and intellect are not mutually exclusive. Despite the dominance of celebrity culture, figures like Dr. Soheila Sami and Dr. Maryam Koochaki-Nejad are pioneering paths in their fields, making remarkable strides while proudly wearing the hijab.
The Success of Hijab-Wearing Women Around the World
Across the globe, many women who choose to wear the hijab have achieved significant success. However, mainstream media often suppress their visibility, preventing these women from being recognized as attainable role models for young women and girls worldwide. These women, excelling in diverse fields such as science, technology, and even politics, have made remarkable strides, yet their stories often go untold. In contrast, the media tends to favor Hollywood actresses as models of success, presenting a glossy, often misleading image of their lives.
The Unseen Achievements of Hijab-Wearing Women
Many hijab-wearing women have ascended to the pinnacles of science, knowledge, sports, and culture. Yet, due to the dominance of mainstream media narratives, their achievements remain underrepresented. Instead of showcasing these women as role models, the media frequently highlights actresses and celebrities, using the tools of light, sound, and image to craft a picture of their lives as a model of happiness. Behind this façade, many of these women face exhaustion and exploitation due to the way their image is used for commercial gain.
The Reality of Hollywood’s Exploitation of Women
This issue is even more glaring in the context of the sexual abuse scandals involving male directors and prominent Hollywood figures. Movements like “Me Too” have brought attention to these systemic abuses. However, such movements often have hidden agendas and are driven by underlying, predetermined goals.
Brain Surgery with a Hijab: Dr. Soheila Sami’s Journey
One inspiring example of success is Dr. Soheila Sami, a young Iranian woman who graduated in neurosurgery from Golf Medical University in the UAE. Born in 1989 in Tehran, she developed an interest in medicine early on, influenced by her father, Dr. Amir Hossein Sami-Debuni, a specialist in cardiology.
Dr. Sami completed her general medicine degree from Golf Medical University and pursued a neurosurgery residency under Professor Samii at the International Brain and Neurosciences Institute in Germany. Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Sami stated: “From a young age, I aspired to follow in my father’s footsteps. Neurosurgery is challenging, and there is no difference between men and women in this field. It is an endless ocean of knowledge that requires constant learning.”
At just a young age, Dr. Sami has performed over 800 successful brain and spine surgeries, including complex tumor removals and spinal surgeries. Her first complex brain surgery remains a memorable milestone. She recalls the moment with pride, emphasizing the sense of achievement she felt after successfully completing the procedure: “Although we have many surgeries, some of which are simple, I do not remember the first surgery, but I do remember the first complex brain surgery I performed. I was very happy and felt good because I realized my own ability.”
The Hijab as an Integral Part of Her Identity
In addition to her clinical achievements, Dr. Sami is known for her consistent choice to wear the hijab, both inside and outside the operating room. She has been featured in numerous photographs, always donning the hijab as a part of her identity. When asked about this, Dr. Sami explained: “In my opinion, the choice of covering depends on the individual, and I dress the same in Germany as I do in Iran.”
Dr. Sami also explained in response to the question of whether wearing a hijab has created any limitations for her: “The hijab has not created any limitations for me in surgery. Even in the operating room, which is a completely sterile environment and where I constantly need to wash my hands and work with both male and female colleagues, I have not faced any problems. I do not believe that with a hijab, everything can be done, but it is not the case that one cannot engage in social, sports, or other activities. I continue to participate in sports activities abroad alongside my work and studies while wearing the hijab.”
A Rising Star in Global Academia: Dr. Maryam Koochaki-Nejad
Dr. Maryam Koochaki-Nejad is another prominent hijab-wearing academic who has made waves internationally. A graduate of Sharif University of Technology, she was named among the “40 Under 40” top professors worldwide in 2020 in the field of management. She holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the University of Utah and completed her postdoctoral studies at Harvard University.
Dr. Koochaki-Nejad is currently an assistant professor at Northwestern University’s School of Management. Her research focuses on the dynamics of ethical decision-making and the psychological experiences individuals undergo during ethical confrontations. Her work has been featured in prestigious journals and major media outlets like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Known for her commitment to both her faith and career, she consistently appears in public wearing the hijab and advocates for Islam through her actions and accomplishments.
Why Aren’t Hijab-Wearing Women Scientists More Recognized?
Despite the global success of women like Dr. Sami and Dr. Koochaki-Nejad, there remains a troubling lack of recognition for hijab-wearing female scientists. This disparity raises important questions about why their achievements are not as widely celebrated and why they are often overlooked in discussions of successful women in science and academia.
Notable Non-Iranian Hijab-Wearing Scientists
Veiled women who, despite their hijab, have been able to reach the heights of knowledge, sports, and excellence are not limited to just these examples. Hijab-wearing women from around the world have also made significant contributions to their fields.
NASA’s Prominent Scientist: Tahani Amer
Tahani Amer, a Muslim woman who wears Islamic attire, is one of NASA’s most distinguished scientists. Born on the outskirts of Cairo, she married at the age of 17, and fate led her to the United States during her teenage years. Upon arriving, she faced the challenge of not knowing a single word of English. However, through her unwavering dedication and intellect, she quickly became the top student in her mathematics classes and went on to become an exceptional engineer.
Her career continued to soar when she joined NASA, where she is now recognized as one of the agency’s prominent scientists. In a brief note on NASA’s website about her biography, Tahani shares her guiding principles: “I have always considered three things important in life: God’s satisfaction, education and learning as the key to seizing opportunities, and ultimately serving people with kindness and compassion.”
In addition to her work at NASA, Tahani Amer dedicates part of her time to conducting voluntary educational programs related to her expertise, providing valuable knowledge to interested individuals. She also teaches religious studies and the Arabic language to Muslim children and youth at her local mosque, further embodying her commitment to giving back to her community.
Leila Alawa: A Successful Entrepreneur in America
Leila Alawa, a Syrian-Danish Muslim woman, is the founder and CEO of The Tempest, a rapidly growing company in the technology sector. Established in 2013, The Tempest has quickly become one of the most innovative companies globally.
Leila’s journey began when her family immigrated from Denmark to the United States when she was just six years old. Due to discrimination in her early school years, she was homeschooled starting in second grade, as her classmates mocked her for being Muslim. This experience fueled her passion for addressing prejudice and promoting equality.
With a deep interest in the challenges faced by minorities and women in American society, as well as the barriers they encounter in fields like science, Leila pursued a degree in psychology, graduating in 2012. Her academic focus on prejudice, societal judgments, and gender disparities laid the foundation for her entrepreneurial journey.
As the CEO of The Tempest, Leila has used her platform to empower millions of people, connecting them with thousands of female experts across a wide array of topics. Her consistent presence on radio and television has played a pivotal role in changing societal perceptions and challenging stereotypes about minorities and women.
Ibtihaj Muhammad: American Champion
Ibtihaj Muhammad is a trailblazer in the sport of saber fencing. As an American athlete, she made history by becoming the first woman in U.S. history to compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab. Her groundbreaking achievement not only challenged norms but also inspired people worldwide.
At 30 years old, Ibtihaj has proven herself to be a fierce competitor. She claimed the championship title at the Pan American Games, solidifying her status as one of the top athletes in her field. Most notably, she represented the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, a historic milestone that forever etched her name into the annals of sports history.
From: iusnews.ir