five extraordinary Muslim women making waves in her community. Each woman chose one of our five hijabs from the collection, and this series of interviews discusses their hijab journey, their work and why one’s heritage is so important.

Her Fave: The Ornate Gold

Dr. Noor Amra knows who she is and what is important to her - this makes up the crux of her work and her dedication to her family and her career. After graduating high school as the top student in her class at the age of 16, Dr. Noor went on to attend the University of California on a full scholarship, ultimately graduating with highest honors in biology. She then attended medical school and completed an ophthalmology residency at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, becoming a board-certified eye physician and surgeon. 

Outside of her medical career, Dr. Noor, through her active social media presence (find her on Instagram @eyegirlmd), uses her professional and personal experiences to inspire other Muslim women to pursue their dreams. She currently works in Southern California where she resides with her husband and three kids. We spoke with Dr. Noor, who chose The Ornate Gold hijab from our Heritage Collection, about how she handled times when she was advised to not wear her hijab, her family’s multifaceted heritage and what her hijab means to her.

Salaam, I’m Dr. Noor. I’m a medical doctor, an American board-certified ophthalmologist/eye surgeon practicing in Orange County California. My career is crucial to me. Everyday I get to have an impact on patient lives. In some instances I even get to help restore someone’s eyesight - the amount of gratification this brings me is immense. That being said, my family is my heart. Career is important of course, but I am a wife and a mom of three little ones, and these two titles are absolutely everything to me.  

2. Talk to us about your hijab journey.I will never forget it actually. It all started when one morning I woke up, and I think I was around 10 years old, and I announced to my family - I feel like ‘ithajab-ing today. My parents were a little concerned at my decision, as I was quite young, but it was what my little 10-year-old self wanted to do. And sure enough I went to school that day in my hijab. My mother was so ecstatic that we had a little party to celebrate my decision. That moment was completely pure - from the heart of a 10 year old.

You then grow up and face real world circumstances, and yes - you do have your share of doubt. There were instances where the fear of not “fitting in” shook my resolve for wearing it. At one point I was the only girl in hijab in my entire high school. This was probably the hardest time for me, as we moved a lot, and I attended three different high schools in three years. I was perpetually the new kid and always felt like the elephant in the room. There were even times I was told not to wear hijab as this would hinder me from advancing in my career and/or receiving from the same opportunities as others in my field. 

Looking back now, my proudest moments - and again, those that were most pure - were when I stood by hijab even in the face of prejudices, even when the naysayers tried to dissuade me from doing so. I put my trust in God, and I do firmly believe that He granted me higher positions every step of the way because of the strength of my belief. I can’t imagine my life without hijab. It is a fundamental part of who I am. 

 us how you developed your own style and look? What made you choose this specific printed silk hijab? What about it appealed to you?While I do like to mix it up, for the most part I would say I tend toward a professional look and style. I am a physician, and though there’s no dress code per se, I opt for an elegant, well-tailored look that fits the setting in which I work. Now come the weekend, when you throw three very energetic and active kids into the mix - totally different setting - I’m definitely the more down-to-earth, casual, t-shirt-and-jeans kind of girl.

I chose this particular hijab because it is such a classic and elegant piece and yet still effortless; it fits perfectly with my professional wardrobe. 

We developed our Heritage Collection to showcase the story and history of Haute Hijab. Our own personal heritage is so important - how do you celebrate your own heritage?

I am Syrian American, first generation born and raised in California to immigrant parents. My husband is half Palestinian and Lebanese-born in Colombia, raised in Amman, Jordan. That our household encompasses such diverse cultures and heritages and that my kids represent a true mix of Levant is wonderful to me. We are very in tune with our Middle Eastern heritage and work to preserve the Arabic language, as it is the language of the Quran. And, we more than anything want our children to be able to read and understand the Quran and pass that along to their offspring as well. It’s this deep sense of history, cultural tradition and devout religious belief that in some ways embodies the overriding spirit of my family - and of that I am very proud.

I haven’t really thought of this one. But I would say that the two women who come to mind are Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. They are both elegant and classic in their looks but effortlessly so, and they also embody this essential softness and gentleness that really allowed them to stand apart in truly admirable ways.

Hijab is my identity. Everyday I wear it, I feel better, stronger and more determined to represent my religion. My actions are very much measured; meaning, I try to be exemplary and intentional with everything I do. Every morning I renew my intentions that through hijab I can in some way make a difference and change people’s perceptions regarding what Islam means - be it through a simple smile in a grocery store or a complex eye surgery to restore a person’s vision. Alhamdullilah, I interact with so many people on a daily basis through my work. In a typical day I will see about 30-40 patients. I consider every new patient encounter an opportunity to make a difference.

We are living in one of the most incredible times in history. I truly believe this, particularly when it comes to women and empowerment. Look at the gigantic strides being made. All around the world, more and more women are finding their voices every single day. And those voices united, I know, can change the tone of the world in powerful ways. Granted, it is also a time when Islamophobia is on the rise; then again look at how much more accepted hijab is now than ever before. It is visible and normalized. I think in large part this is due to the impact of social media, and for that aspect of platforms like this I am truly grateful.

So, I guess my message is this: If you’ve ever been in my position - told you don’t fit in, you don’t look the part, or you simply don’t belong or will not thrive - I hope that you can see past the negativity and toward the amazingness that is your future. In becoming a surgeon, I have certainly faced my share of obstacles. And sadly, yes, many arose because of the presence of my hijab. But I refused to disavow such a central part of my spirit and my soul. I am a hijabi and proud of it. I’ve even encountered Muslim colleagues who’ve urged me toward conformity and away from my beliefs in the interest of my career. However, I just need to look back at my accomplishments, how far I’ve come and how I’ve persevered, all while proudly displaying who I genuinely am.

To my sisters, for those out there who wear hijab or any woman for that matter who is judged because of something she puts on or some different aspect about her, I urge you toward the following:

Hopefully, some will take inspiration from my path and the paths of the incredible females I stand with, and together we can lead a new generation of women. 

Check back on the blog for more interviews from the other wonderful women we interviewed as part of the debut of Haute Hijab’s Heritage Collection!