As a young girl, Habida Popal was discriminated against for wearing a hijab.
"Somebody shouted from the car to get out of this country, and you know said some slurs in there, and I went to work and I was just balling and I was like, "Why? I didn't do anything,'" said Popal.
And she said after 9/11, it got worse, but that hasn't stopped her from holding fast to her beliefs.
"The real Muslims are everyday people trying to go through life, get their degree, work the 9-5, whatever it is," she said.
Popal, the president of the Muslim Student Association at Penn State Berks, led her fellow students in a discussion about World Hijab Day.
"I feel there is a need because it brings awareness to the human being behind the clothing," said the graduating senior.
Hijabs, usually worn as a symbol of faith, modesty and empowerment by Muslim woman, were celebrated around the world Monday.
After watching a few short tutorials, students of all backgrounds tried them on and were asked to wear them for the entire day and share their stories.
"Oh, I learned a lot. I didn't even realize what this was called. You see them around campus, but now we can actually experience what girls do on a daily basis in the Muslim culture," said freshman Rachel Fegely.
"I never realized why they wear it and just the beauty of expressing their faith to God," said fellow first-year student Janelle Trefsgar.
Popal said she hopes this will be one of many events to bring awareness.
