A British Muslim community volunteer has vowed not to allow Islamophobic abuse over her niqab to overshadow her work empowering girls and young people.
Khadija Patel, the founder of a youth club in Bolton, England, was recognised with a public award for creating opportunities for girls and young people from underrepresented backgrounds to participate in sport and wellbeing activities.
However, rather than celebrating her achievement, some social media users focused on her face veil and posted abusive and Islamophobic comments about her appearance.
Patel responded by saying her choice of clothing had never prevented her from making a meaningful contribution to society. She urged people to judge her by the impact of her work rather than by what she wears.
The incident has renewed attention on the prejudice faced by Muslim women who wear the niqab, particularly in professional and public spaces where visible expressions of faith can overshadow their achievements.
For many women who choose to wear the niqab, the face veil is not a barrier to participation but an expression of faith, modesty and devotion.
“It is an act of worship. It shows Allah that you are putting Him first before any beauty or any outward appearance,” Leena Ackbar, chief executive officer of ECA Consulting, told One Nation Media (ONM).
Ackbar described the niqab as a deeply personal act of worship rooted in humility rather than withdrawal from society.
“It is a means for me to make my Creator happy. I have adopted a simple lifestyle and a simple appearance to others,” she said.
She rejected the notion that wearing the niqab limits ambition or public engagement, saying her faith strengthens her commitment to serving others.
“We can walk into any space and still be somebody who contributes to society and wants to make a difference.”
She added that every aspect of her life is guided by a desire to please Allah.
“For me, it is really about putting Allah first in every single decision that I make on a daily basis.”
Political analyst and researcher Fazlin Fransman Taliep also challenged the misconception that Muslim women who wear the niqab are isolated from wider society.
She said many are professionals, volunteers, educators, entrepreneurs and community leaders who actively contribute to society while remaining true to their religious convictions.
Reflecting on modern culture, Taliep argued that women are too often judged by their appearance rather than their character.
“We live in a society where women are hypersexualised, not by themselves but by the industry, by society and by the way in which media is orientated.”
For many Muslim women, she said, the niqab represents a conscious rejection of those pressures and a commitment to being valued for their character, faith and contributions rather than their outward appearance.
Patel’s experience has also renewed discussion around religious freedom and workplace inclusion. While many organisations publicly champion diversity, Muslim women who visibly practise their faith continue to report discrimination, stereotyping and hostility in professional environments.
Her supporters say achievements such as hers should be recognised on their own merit and that community service, leadership and professional excellence should never be eclipsed by prejudice over religious dress.
