Muslim artist challenging society’s stereotypes about Islam

16 to study fine arts at Parsons School of Design, miles from her family to confront Americans

A young girl arrived in New York City at the age of 16 to study fine arts at Parsons School of Design, miles from her family to confront Americans’ largely negative view of Islam using her art.

Azzah Sultan, 20-year-old, has personally witnessed rampant Islamophobia since moving to America from her native country Malaysia in 2013.

“I use art to express my feelings and frustrations toward society,” Sultan told The Huffington Post.

For one of her most recent pieces, called “Home Sweet Home,” Sultan posted callouts on Facebook, Tumbler and Instagram inviting Muslim women around the country to donate a red, white or blue headscarf to her project. She received scarves from all over the country, she said, and stitched them together to create an American flag.

“The act of me hand stitching these scarves together brought the different backgrounds and stories of these women into one piece,” Sultan said. “This is a testimony of coming from various backgrounds but still sharing the common idea of being a Muslim and an American.”