Today we’d like to introduce you to Nasrieen Habib
Hi Nasrieen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Experiencing my first Minnesota winter as a Texan was jarring! I struggled with seasonal affective disorder, which I had never experienced before moving to the Midwest. Outdoor recreation—and hiking, in particular—helped me to both cope with my seasonal depression and reestablish my relationship to nature. I started Hiking Hijabie in 2021 as a way to create safety and community for myself and other Muslim women interested in exploring the outdoors.
Hiking Hijabie exists to solve core concerns for Muslim women in the outdoor recreation space: finding athletic apparel that is representation of muslim community in the outdoors and aligned with Muslim values; fostering safety, community, and connection amongst fellow outdoor enthusiasts; and working to create a more balanced and sustainable relationship to nature.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely not been smooth. When I first moved to Minnesota, I experienced significant culture shock. Decoding the “Minnesota nice” was like learning a second language, and the harsh winters brought on seasonal depression, something I had never experienced before. Finding the right balance between my cultural identity and embracing outdoor activities was challenging. Clothing was another struggle, as traditional modest clothing was not designed for outdoor recreation. Additionally, I faced some discomfort and lack of acceptance in outdoor spaces which made me feel unsafe in a Islamophobic political climate. However, these challenges motivated me to create Hiking Hijabie, a group that provides a safe space for Muslim women to explore the outdoors together, guided by our shared values.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Founded in 2021, Amanah Rec Project is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space for Muslims to connect with the beauty of the great outdoors. Our organization focuses on a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, kayaking, bouldering, and biking. What sets us apart is our commitment to inclusivity and safety, especially for Muslim women who may feel uncomfortable in outdoor spaces due to their hijabs. To further represent our community, we offer a Muslim clothing line with brands like Hiking Hijabie and Hiking Ummah that are found is all local REI stores as well as Rabata Cultural Center.
I am proud of the strong sense of community and empowerment that Amanah Rec Project has cultivated. Starting with just a few members, we have grown to over 750 members who engage in our community events and activities. We provide opportunities for families as well as exclusive events for women, allowing them to try new activities and build confidence in a supportive environment. Our goal is to connect with nature, appreciate its beauty, and uphold our faith and values.
Hiking Hijabie is more than just an outdoor group; it is a community where women can learn, support one another, and form lasting friendships. We offer a wide range of activities for women of all experience levels and continuously expand our programs to cater to the needs of our community. Our mission is to make outdoor recreation accessible and enjoyable for muslims while promoting Islamic values of environmental sustainability and climate change awareness. We also build wells and sponsor orphans in developing countries impacted by global warming. Over the past 2 years we have sponsored more than 20 orphans for a year in the Horn of Africa through a campaign with American Relief for the Horn of Africa, built a well in Pakistan and donated to the genocide in Gaza and Sudan.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, my curiosity and eagerness to explore were always at the forefront of my personality. Despite not always being the norm in my community, I loved being outdoors and immersing myself in new experiences. My varied interests led me to gravitate towards nature and the thrill of adventure, even though many in my community didn’t share the same passion for outdoor activities.
The concept of camping was not a recreational choice for me, but a way of life that stemmed from the civil war that forced my family to flee to neighboring countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. Eventually, we found ourselves in a refugee camp in Uganda, where we shared a crowded military tent with strangers. It was in this setting, surrounded by my people and the beauty of nature, that some of my best memories were made – staying up late exchanging stories around a campfire while my aunt cooked dinner using the same flames.
Life in the refugee camp was a stark contrast to the conveniences I had known, with no electricity or running water, but the sense of community and the simplicity of fresh food made it a unique experience. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new culture, my resilience and adaptability allowed me to navigate through these hardships and grow stronger from the journey.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Hikinghijabie
- Facebook: AmanahRec
- Youtube: Hipsterhijabie
