Washington, D.C. | www.mpac.org | July 23, 2025 — Founded in 2017 by MPAC Congressional Leadership Development Program fellow Hadeel Abdallah, Hijab on the Hill continues to build on its legacy in 2025 as a powerful celebration of Muslim women in public service.
This year, Shaezmina Khan (CLDP ’21), a policy staffer in Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal’s office, and Layla Yousef, a summer Law Clerk at the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, co-led the event in partnership with the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Congressional Muslim Staff Association, Islamic Scholarship Fund, and Muslim Americans in Public Service.
The evening featured inspirational remarks, networking opportunities, and professional headshots, creating space for Muslim women to connect, share their stories, and celebrate their collective impact.“This event matters so deeply because it reminds us that our Muslim identity is not a barrier—it is our greatest strength,” said Khan in her remarks. “When we lead from that place—grounded in our faith, wearing it with pride and conviction—we don’t just show up. We changed rooms. We shift expectations. We raise the standard. We open doors that were never meant for us and hold them open for others.”
The evening also featured remarks from Congresswomen Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley, who underscored the power of visibility and representation. “I love that there is a hijabi day that takes place here in the Capitol,” said Rep. Omar. “Hijab on the Hill is about more than visibility—it’s about shifting the narrative and showing that Muslim women are leaders, loud and proud in spaces that weren’t built for us.”
Rep. Tlaib echoed this sentiment, calling the women gathered “a powerful form of resistance.” She added, “Your existence in these spaces is the resistance. Even if you can’t always speak up, know that just being here is shifting this institution in ways that will make it easier for the next generation.”
Rep. Pressley emphasized the radical act of showing up fully and authentically: “The fact that we are assembled here, taking up space, is in itself a radical act. You are not only closest to the pain—you are closest to the solutions. Every time you show up fully as yourself, you are writing the blueprint for someone else’s survival.”
After impactful remarks, participants engaged in networking and professional headshots. As it continues to grow in size and impact, Hijab on the Hill stands as a testament to the leadership, resilience, and vision of Muslim women in public service.