Today we’d like to introduce you to Nayla Morshed.
Hi Nayla, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in Texas, I was always surrounded by a big family who loved to eat, play games, and watch endless Bollywood movies. And, I loved every part of it. But, by 15, something changed. From watching tragedy in my community and family regarding suicide and struggles with identity to daily news stories about increasing polarization to terrorism in the news, a restlessness started to grow and I just became hyper-aware. Growing up Muslim and watching your peers look at you just a bit different no matter what you did to otherwise convince them that what they saw in the media wasn’t true, got tiring. But it didn’t stop there. I started noticing this trend to grow in even my Muslim peers who simply gave up on their identity or practicing their religion. So, for the past two years, I’ve been active in educating about Islamic and other cultural matters that many Americans simply don’t know about. It’s not their fault- but it’s important that Muslim youth educate/become educated in religious and cultural matters to help ensure that later generations don’t have to suffer from the same issues we do now.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve definitely had some struggles along the way—one being that I’ve had to get over my fear of not being taken seriously. I’m only 17, so sometimes I’m not sure how my work will carry out. In the process of publishing my book “All Wrapped Up” in November of 2021, which discusses 12 girls’ experiences with the hijab, I was honestly really hesitant. But, it’s important to recognize that if you weren’t ready, you wouldn’t have the opportunity.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I think I’m most proud of my contributions to public speaking. I often compete in Speech and Debate, specifically Original Oratory, in which I’ve ranked in the top 25 Orators in the nation and 2 in the State of Texas where I’ve discussed issues like desensitization to Middle Eastern conflicts and etc. Alongside Speech and Debate, I just recently had the honor of being a TEDx Speaker at TEDxPlanoSeniorHS in May in which I talked about colorism (discrimination within a community) and how we can combat it. I honestly just love Public Speaking and the dynamics of not only performing but feeling like you’re having a one-on-one conversation with someone even in the midst of a large audience.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
It might sound counterintuitive but, streaming Netflix definitely helps keep me going. A good movie or show helps me reset and have enough energy to accomplish something on my to-do list. The key to doing well in really anything you do is having patience with yourself and maintaining balance.
Contact Info:
- Other: https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=A4FVUd4ncbc - https://www.amazon.com/All-
Wrapped-Up-Nayla-Morshed/dp/ B09MBTK8CZ
- https://www.ted.com/tedx/
events/48124
