Huweida Omar arrived in Germany from Syria seeking safety and stability after years of conflict devastated her homeland. However, as she began rebuilding her life, she encountered an unexpected challenge: Islamophobia. As a visibly Muslim woman who wears a hijab, Huweida often felt scrutinised while navigating public spaces in her new environment.“ I feel people staring at me. Sometimes I hear whispers or comments when I walk into shops or take public transport.” Following high-profile incidents involving violence attributed to extremists claiming Islamic identities, Huweida noticed an increase in hostility toward Muslims in her community. On one occasion at a local market, an elderly man confronted her with derogatory remarks about veiled women, claiming they were symbols of oppression—a moment that left her shaken but determined not to let prejudice define her experience. In response to these challenges, Huweida sought support from local organisations dedicated to combating Islamophobia and promoting interfaith dialogue. Through these initiatives, she connected with other Muslim women who had faced similar challenges and formed a supportive network that helped her regain confidence. Determined to challenge stereotypes about Muslim women, Huweida began participating in community outreach programs to foster understanding between different cultural groups. She also started volunteering at local schools, where she shared her story with students during cultural awareness workshops. “We need dialogue,” she emphasised during one event. “People fear what they don’t understand.” Despite the discrimination she has faced, Huweida remains committed to building bridges between communities and showing others that diversity is something to be celebrated—not feared.

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