Here’s the hijabi who asked Bernie Sanders how he plans to end racism

While political pundits analyzed the GOP national debate Wednesday night in Boulder, Colo., Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders shook up public support at a public university.

 

In a student town hall at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Wednesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders embraced an American Muslim student and asked her to share the stage. With passion in her voice and pain in her heart, she challenged the Democratic hopeful to reflect on how his presidency will fight to end racism and discrimination in the United States.

She specifically asked Sen. Sanders to reflect on the nature of institutional racism in the U.S. which has marginalized many minority communities including African Americans, Muslims Americans, LBGT Americans, etc.

The bold hijabi student is Remaz Abdelgader, a senior at George Mason University. Her interaction with Sen. Sanders has garnered over 130,000 views on Facebook.

“As a Muslim student—As an American Muslim student who aspires to change this world—I am trying to raise awareness and make sure everyone is treated equally in this country. As a presidential candidate, what do you think about that?” Abdelgader asked.

Sen. Sander’s response moved the crowd to a standing ovation, “I will do everything that I can to rid this country of the ugly stain of racism that has existed for far too many years.”

Watch the video below:

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This is what I think, and let me be very personal here… If we stand for anything we have got to stand together and end all forms of racism and I will lead that effort as President of the United States.

Posted by Bernie Sanders on Thursday, October 29, 2015

His pledge to stand against racism and Islamophobia sheds light on the racism that existed during the Holocaust, which resulted in the death of many of the candidate’s Jewish ancestors.

This viral video serves as a powerful symbol to many bigots around the world to show that Muslims and Jews can create interfaith bridges to end racism.

Abdelgader reminded Sen. Sanders — and all presidential candidates for that matter — that they cannot make ill-informed statements generalizing the entire American Muslim community.

American Muslims are a strong mobilizing constituency that will make their voices be heard this presidential election.

“Hearing the rhetoric going on in the media makes me sick,” Abdelgader said.

“Hearing the rhetoric going on in the media makes me sick,” Abdelgader expressed in her stirring address.

So how is it possible that presidential candidates like Ben Carson believe a Muslim cannot be president from eloquent orators like Abdelgader to creative innovators like ‘clock kid’ Ahmed Mohammed? Young Americans Muslims are the future public servants the U.S. so desperately needs to include.

Photo courtesy: Remaz Abdelgader

So, who is the American Muslim student Senator Sanders shared the stage with last night? Remaz Abdelgader is a Conflict Analysis and Resolution major. She has a history of fighting injustice since the beginning of her academic career. As a legal secretary for BOILA Beach-Oswald Immigration Law Associates, she aided in client-attorney consultation and helped applicants fill out legal paperwork including permanent residency and work authorization forms. As a fellow in The School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution’s Peacebuilding Program at George Mason University, Abdelgader utilized conceptual theories of change in her research on the atrocities of the Rwandan Genocide.

“I’ve realized that much of the history of conflict stems from religious antagonisms and ideological disputes. Major ethnic and cultural conflict has become a reoccurring theme—leading to the misunderstanding of cultures, identities, and religions,” Abdelgader says.

The long road to eradicating racism will take courage and leadership — two qualities Abdelgader already possesses.

Photo credit: Alice Ollstien