Introduction to Muslim Girls Fence

By Seheer
​

In 2016, I was introduced to Muslim Girls Fence. My naturally ambitious, talkative self jumped at the chance to miss school hours and go on trips where I just had to display fencing skills. However it very quickly became a pivotal part of my life.


Sitting in that first meeting, the excitement of missing Textiles feeding my eagerness, was the beginning of my journey with Muslim Girls Fence. I’d never have thought that a year later Aljazeera, Reuters, and NBC would be interviewing me and NBC or doing an exhibition in the Southbank centre. It has been more than just an accomplishment to put on my CV; it really was how I discovered a massive part of myself that was passionate about social justice. Being a social and political activist is one of the main things about me; the first thing that I would call my ‘passion’, a quality that I feel defines me and makes me who I am.


Participating in this scheme also gave me extra confidence and aided me in becoming more articulate. Using those skills, I’ve accomplished prefect-ship and a Jack Petchey assembly award and I 100% believe that I couldn’t have done it without the project.


If I’m honest, I feel privileged because I know that young muslim women growing up in todays society aren’t handed these opportunities like I was. It made such a difference to my experience as a teen. Aside from the fact that its impressive as hell, I gained qualities throughout the project that take some people years to develop and that cant be marked down as academic achievements, but more personal improvements.


Carrying forward with these qualities and values, I aspire to become the role model that I don’t have for the millions of muslim girls around the world and encourage them to change the world, whether its their own or someone else’s.