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All-Stars College Student
Lubna Ahmad
By Ayesha Ali
Lubna Ahmed was among the top 20 USA TODAY 2004 College Academic All-Stars students. She is majoring in Biomedical engineering at Arizona State University. Her GPA is 4.0 A high school valedictorian at 16, Lubna invented and has applied for a patent on a non-invasive breath sensor for medical applications such as diabetes management. She has received Goldwater Scholarship, the nations' highest undergraduate award in science, mathematics and engineering. She is also a vice president of the Biomedical Engineering Society, a mosque volunteer and an Arthritis Foundation volunteer. Lubna resides in Chandler, Arizona with her parents (Jalil Ahmed and Seema Munir, M.D.) and three siblings. She is a Muhajabah (one who wears hijab).
QWhat were your feelings upon receiving this recognition from USA Today?
When USA Today notified me of the recognition that I was selected to receive, I was amazed and thrilled. I had imagined they contacted me only to request more information or clarification to my application, but it was actually to notify me of the award that I was receiving. I was truly honored to have the privilege of receiving such recognition. I am very thankful and I owe my gratitude to my family for all their support in my life, my professors and colleagues who helped me to reach my academic success, and most importantly to Allah (SWT) who has been the cause of my success and happiness.
QWhat role does religion play in your life and how has it helped you on your path and goals?
I strongly feel that religion is an important aspect of life. If I had to identify the two driving forces in my life, it is, without doubt, my family and my faith. I believe that Allah is the Overseer of all things and events, and to Him belongs all the praise of our success in life. There are many qualities of Islam that have helped me to develop a positive and close relationship with Allah. Prayer has been one key aspect through which I am able to connect with Him, and it has been the inspiration for me as I face new challenges and frontiers in my life.
QWhat projects and activities are you involved in?
I am a third year student at Arizona State University majoring in Biomedical Engineering. I am the Vice President of the Biomedical Engineering Society at ASU where I also am involved in research. Here, I designed and created a medical device, a non-invasive breath sensor, for the treatment and management of patients with diabetes. It is currently in testing right now and I hope to perfect it as a tool of technology designed to help people with medical ailments. Using academics as my foundation, I designed a curriculum for underprivileged high school girls to help foster an understanding and appreciation for math and science through the use of robotic engineering. I also play the piano and take occasional opportunities to teach others.
QWhat factors helped you to decide this choice of projects and activities?
The reasons for choosing to pursue these activities are such to help build a bridge between the knowledge of science and serving the community. I undertook the responsibility of organizing the MSA conference to get an opportunity to interact with other Muslims and to directly serve the Muslim society. Being a teacher for several years at a weekend Islamic school gave me the background to get involved in this project. Secondly, I wished to use my knowledge of science to help others, hence developing the medical device and serving as a volunteer in for high school students helped me to build that connection. Also, involving in these secular activities as a Muslim helped me to expose and educate others to Islam.
QWhen did you start practicing hijab and what were your feelings at the time?
I began observing the hijab when I was about 17 years old. My parents are practicing Muslims and
have been all their lives. Thus, my siblings and I were raised in a religious environment where we
always observed modesty in behavior and dress. So, the hijab was almost like the next step in me
reaching the nest degree of Iman. It was a gradual process and I always had the desire to wear
the hijab. No one pressured me or forced me into it. Probably the most difficult part was finding
the right time to actually start. Alhamdulillah, it was not hard for me as I always had the support
of my family and I had developed a strong level of faith in myself.
QAs a Muhajabah, what are some of the challenges you faced, including on your way to
achieving your goals?
Alhamdulillah, I am grateful to say that I did not face many hardships when I began to wear the
hijab. No one turned away from me nor did they treat me rudely. Some people did ask why
I chose to wear it and I explained to them. To everyone, I was still the same person because
I was still the same personality I always had been. I also mentioned to some of my immediate
peers and colleagues that I was planning to start wearing the hijab and why it was important
to me. They were understanding and respectful.
QWhat kind of advice would you provide to young Muslim sisters as they pursue their academics
and activities?
If I had to convey a message to young Muslim sisters, I would advise them to learn, understand,
and know who you are. Be educated in your faith. Learn critical thinking skills and be focused on
your goals. Always remember to be thankful to who guided and supported you through your
process and helped you reach your success. And, also importantly, do not forget to enjoy and
appreciate life as you pursue your goals. This has to start with Muslims. We must understand why
we wear hijab (not out of modesty, nor to keep from tempting men and certainly not because we
are like a precious gem to be locked away). We wear hijab so people will know that we are Muslim.
Modesty is a part of our dress and conduct, but it is also part of a man's dress and conduct.
Dress does not tempt men to wrong action; mental sickness causes them to do wrong things.
Only when Muslims set aside the cultural teachings about women and hijab, we can begin to help
non-Muslims understand our commitment, our pride in being recognized as Muslims. There must
be more education on the role and rights of women according to the Qur'an and Sunnah. Having
said this, I would also mention that both men and women must stop using the hijab as a way to
judge a woman's iman. There is much work yet to do.
Courtesy: www.messageonline.org
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