My first impression was that Senator Hanson seemed tense. There was a sharpness in her body language that suggested she had already formed conclusions before the conversation had even begun. It made me wonder whether she was expecting to meet a stereotype rather than a student. <\/p>\n
As strange as the situation was, I was grateful to be there. <\/p>\n
Most Australians know Pauline Hanson. Very few young Muslims have the opportunity to sit across from her and have an honest conversation. Whether we agreed or disagreed almost became secondary. What mattered was that, for once, neither of us was speaking about the other from a distance. <\/p>\n
When the discussion turned to my niqab, I realised something. <\/p>\n
She saw the first thing people usually notice about me. <\/p>\n
I saw an opportunity for her to notice everything else. <\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t want to convince Senator Hanson to agree with my beliefs. That wasn\u2019t realistic, nor was it my purpose. What I wanted was much simpler. <\/p>\n
I wanted her to meet me before judging me. <\/p>\n
Because the truth is that my niqab tells only a tiny part of my story. <\/p>\n
The rest of my life is spent doing what thousands of Australian students do every day. I study hard. I work with classmates. I prepare for exams. I dream about the future. <\/p>\n
I also happen to love robotics. <\/p>\n
I\u2019ve competed in robotics competitions across Queensland and beyond, learning how engineering, programming and teamwork can solve real-world problems. Recently, I was honoured to be selected for ShakthiSAT, an international initiative bringing together 1200 girls from around the world to collaborate on the development and launch of a satellite. <\/p>\n
Those opportunities have taught me something important. <\/p>\n
![\"\u2018Science](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/814690c46a5751c291df98f4df12e0326c9cefcd.jpg\")
\u2018Science doesn\u2019t ask what religion you follow.\u2019 Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n
Innovation doesn\u2019t care what you\u2019re wearing. <\/p>\n
Science doesn\u2019t ask what religion you follow. <\/p>\n
A robot doesn\u2019t become less functional because the person programming it wears a niqab. <\/p>\n
In those environments, people judge you by your ideas, your preparation and your willingness to contribute. I\u2019ve always thought Australia should aspire to do the same. <\/p>\n
Too often, Muslim women become subjects of political debate without ever being invited into the conversation. People discuss our clothing as though it explains everything about us. They assume our aspirations, our values and even our freedoms without taking the time to ask. <\/p>\n
But people are always more complicated than the assumptions made about them. <\/p>\n
I am not simply a girl wearing a niqab. <\/p>\n
I am a student fascinated by technology. <\/p>\n
I am someone who hopes to contribute to Australia\u2019s future through science and innovation. <\/p>\n
I am proud of my faith, and I am equally proud to call Australia home. <\/p>\n
Those identities don\u2019t compete with one another. They strengthen one another. <\/p>\n
Looking back, I don\u2019t remember the interview because of the political disagreement. <\/p>\n
I remember it because it reminded me of the importance of being present. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s easy to fear people we\u2019ve never met. It\u2019s much harder to reduce someone to a stereotype once you\u2019ve sat across from them, looked them in the eye and heard their story. <\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know whether Senator Hanson left our school with different opinions than the ones she arrived with. <\/p>\n
Only she can answer that. <\/p>\n
But I hope that, for a brief moment, she stopped seeing a niqab and started seeing a young Australian who loves robotics, dreams of reaching space and believes that her faith and her country are not competing identities. <\/p>\n
Because behind every label is a person. <\/p>\n
And sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is allow ourselves to be seen.<\/p>\n
Nabiha is a 15-year-old Year 10 student at the Islamic College of Brisbane.<\/p>\n