Some people are surprised to learn that Sabeen Waqar is a devout Muslim. Unlike many Muslim women, the University of Oregon sophomore does not cover her head.
“A lot of Muslims here assume that I’m not super practicing because I don’t wear (a head covering),” Waqar said. “When they get to know me, their assumptions change.”
Waqar is working to change assumptions beyond just misleading appearances. As the vice president of the Muslim Student Association on campus, she’s one of the only women in the group’s history to have a role in leadership.
Waqar is not only the vice president of MSA, but also an office manager in Mills International Center and a peer advisor for the College of Business.
“Hobbies? I don’t have time for that anymore. I guess you could call studying Arabic as a third language,” Waqar said.
Busy as she is, Waqar is taking on more. She and her friend Fahmo Mohommad are working to create the Women’s Muslim Student Association. Waqar felt that the MSA — comprised mostly of males from the Middle East — lacked diversity. She saw a need for more inclusion in the UO Muslim community.
“We’re trying to establish that group not to separate girls from MSA, but to make it a more comfortable environment,” Waqar said. “With cultural differences, a lot of girls don’t feel comfortable joining MSA. And we feel like they have an equal right and they should contribute what they think.”
Waqar’s Arabic professor, Hanan Mohammad Hassan Ahmad believes the WMSA will benefit the increasing Muslim population and the larger UO community.
“This could help a lot,” Ahmad said. “The number of Saudi students coming to study here is increasing this year … It’s important for (the women) to have a forum to share their thoughts and meaningful time to do active service in the university.”
“I just admire what she’s doing and I praise her for doing this. I wish her the best,” Adhmad said.
Through her service, Waqar has found a niche at the UO. Until college she had always been the only Muslim in school.
“I speak Urdu at home,” Waqar said. “My family is from Pakistan, but I was born and raised here, so I understand American culture just as well. And of course I have my religion, which plays a huge role in my life.”
Waqar’s experience at the university has allowed her to form meaningful connections with her Muslim peers — from an array of cultural backgrounds like hers. She takes it upon herself to help Muslims who are new to the UO community, like Mohommad, feel at home.
“She knew a lot about Eugene … and the Muslim community outside of campus. For our other friend studying abroad in AEI, Sabeen was the one who helped her get involved (at the mosque),” Mohommad said. “She’s a great resource to have, but a better friend.”
Waqar sees her leadership role not as a burden, but an opportunity.
“I’m really grateful for this position,” Waqar said. “I just hope that we can positively impact someone and tell someone about what Islam is in a positive way and break the stereotypes.”