Life as a Hijabi in Harvard

When I was looking for Harvard students' experience on KZbin prior to applying for grad school, I found that there were very few vlogs that showed the life of Muslim students, let alone hijabi. So here's my contribution to representation because it matters.
✨Come say hi!✨
✅ Instagram / ​​
✅ Tiktok www.tiktok.com/@zhafiraiha?la...
✅ Blog www.zhafiraiha.com​​
✅ Business enquiries [e-mail]
👜 Teddy Blake X Zhafira
✅ Find your perfect bag bit.ly/3SKOxmZ
✅ Enjoy the UP to 60% Off!
✅ Use Code TBZhafira30 for an Extra $30 Off!
👜 Follow Teddy Blake on Social Media
✅ / teddy_blake
✅ / teddyblakeny
✅ / teddyblakeny
00:00 Monday
04:12 Tuesday
04:15 Intern at Harvard Innovation Labs
06:32 Halal food at Harvard
10:22 Wednesday
12:25 Portable bidet
14:08 Thursday
14:38 What's in my bag?
17:37 Prayer room
18:58 Friday
19:58 Jumu'ah prayer
#teddyblake #harvard #muslim

[@Zhafiraiha]

What else would you like to know?

[@sanaa1427]

heeeeeeeey♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@sanaa1427]

i loveeee u girl ure my super role model

[@kikilala8650]

Cara kak zhaf study 😍

[@icenicenful]

Sistem pendidikan SD SMP dan SMA di amrik. Brp th setiap jenjang, ada UAN? seragam sekolah dll

[@adit7695]

how to be consistent in achieving our dream? youve been inspiring me for a long time and it's mainly because you're so determined in what you want to achieve in life and that makes me have a huge respect on you!

[@ayeshanazirb]

tbh, I feel so happy to see Muslims like you like MashaAllah you're not compromising on your deen >>3 there are so many less Muslims who actually acknowledge that ✨hats off to your parents who brought you up like this with such a strong faith 🕊

[@shumayamanwar6766]

Please write Ma Sha Allah like this

[@hazz307]

@@shumayamanwar6766 as long as the "Allah" has a capital A at the start, it's valid

[@hajiroabdi6019]

@@hazz307 no it changes the meaning

[@hazz307]

@@hajiroabdi6019 i mean transliterations are mostly a bit inaccurate from their proper arabic pronounciations, if we want to get the pure meaning in we should just say it in arabic, other than that as long as the writer's intention is to say Ma Sha Allah inshallah it will be accepted Allahu A'lam

[@sanasana483]

Mashaallah ❤️❤️❤️

[@honmidr4742]

MasyaAllah sister... As an Indonesian and a muslim myself, I am so proud of you. You are younger than me but you already live the life that I want (as an international student)... I wish you all the best in your life. May Allah keep you in Islam and be the best muslimah wherever you are. Jazakallah for sharing your daily life so inspiring. MasyaAllah tabarakallah

[@shumayamanwar6766]

Please write Ma Sha Allah like this

[@Mi-rj6wb]

@@shumayamanwar6766 spelling doesnt matter as long as u say it right like sha and sya are the same.

[@A-T_Teitus]

@@shumayamanwar6766 you must watch mufti menk's video about spelling mashallah! To educate your self!

[@greenhomestead6305]

You mean to delay motherhood for feminism. It’s much harder to become and be a mother at an older age, feminism won’t help.

[@jananamin1109]

Mash'Allah***

[@jhanifadibagulun7409]

I am so happy to see you enjoying in Harvard with your Muslim and Non-muslim friends. I am proud to have a Muslim sister (Islam’s representative) in this prestigious school. Show them how kind muslims are. Keep slaying girl!❤️

[@drekanz4253]

True. For me not only she represents muslim, but also Indonesia. Indonesia has a large population so it's not that surprising to see people attending schools abroad, but there are lots of non-religious muslims too in Indonesia, so coming across this video actually made me feel better about it. Still in any case, I don't think she should slay anyone though. 🤔

[@zainabatif8252]

@@drekanz4253 hahah "slay" is slang for just saying like "keep going girl"

[@noretzkaa1648]

@@drekanz4253 slay itu kan arti sesungguhnya cool atau keren, di Indo aja jadi beda maknanya malah berubah artinya nya jadi kaya .. ya tau lah wkwk

[@jhanifadibagulun7409]

@@zainabatif8252 thank you for elaborating hehe. Yes, what i meant was this☺️

[@jhanifadibagulun7409]

@@drekanz4253 I am sorry hehe, it was a misunderstanding. What i meant was for her to keep going hihi. It's a slang phrase which could mean "I'm rooting for you!"

[@hapsariashinta]

Zhaf! aku abis scroll2 nontonin lagi vlog2 kamu. Doa terbaik buat kamu dan semoga segala hajat diridhoi Allah. You're so inspiring for me! Caramu berpikir, speak up, prinsip hidup muslimahmu, pernikahan sederhanamu, cara ngedate bareng abimu, dan banyak hal! Seneng liat kamu, bahagia selalu zhaf! Nitip komen dulu disini, one day, aku bakal s2 juga di tempatmu sekarang, insyaAllah! aamiin allahumma aamiin

[@altafkalaniya1247]

I am Indian Muslim altaf I want to marry a Muslim good girl

[@microscopicdeeds]

aamiin allahumma aamiin, see u there kakk, I wish the same, insyaAllah

[@Mantappupe]

@@microscopicdeeds Terima kasih

[@kidkhabib4298]

@@altafkalaniya1247 you are noor muslim... Stop disguising yourself as one

[@ichain_ajah]

Zhafira auranya positif dan menyenangkan. Dia berusaha melihat hal positif dari setiap hal. Saat telat masuk kelas, saat menyapa orang atau bapak2 penjaga juga menjaga adab, dan sering memberikan pujian atau mencairkan suasana orang2 di sekitarnya. Semoga Allah senantiasa meneguhkan iman dan taqwanya untuk memegang teguh prinsip Islam di mana pun dia berada. Barakallah Zhafira dan keluarga, semoga Allah senantiasa merahmatimu dan keluarga, aamiin

[@wahenira]

So inspiring vlog, Zhaf! Thank you for sharing your daily life in Harvard as a hijabi. Being a muslim who live in not majority muslim country is lit bit difficult, for example looking for halal food, bidet toilet, and praying room, but you shared how to adapt with that condition. I like the portable bidet and pretty bag, tho. Wish I could find and buy it. Anw, good luck for your study and may Allah always protect you. 🤗❤️

[@Zhafiraiha]

I'm always thankful that Allah made it easy for me ❤

[@minikkuslar3neslihandogan]

@@Zhafiraiha And you know...İNNELLAHE MAASSabirin

[@semangatbelajar1705]

@@Zhafiraiha *By the way Miss, what major do you study at Harvard? And,, is Harvard location in US??*

[@tinayusope9934]

Aamiin.......

[@Mantappupe]

@@tinayusope9934 Aaamiiin Tuhan Nomoangan Nomong itu kita sama

[@hana.09]

So young and so inspirational ❤ I pray I have a daughter as brilliant but humble as you.

[@annisamikhayla8383]

aameen, i hope too

[@Mantappupe]

Aamiin Juga semua

[@Maryam-Abo-Elias]

You're such an inspiration Zhafira! Sharing this video has given me a push since I'm also a hijabi in a non musim country which makes me feel like a stranger sometimes hehehe 😅 Would like to hear from you tips for how can you be this confident in a place that maybe is a lil bit diffrenet from you. Much love and respect❤

[@asmamir3709]

Me too, this is my first semester on campus, all of my classmates are Christians which I respect them so much but they look at me as a stranger...and I don't get good feelings...it is weird because I respect everyone with any religion and I don't judge people based on that but it makes me uncomfortable to be around them and at the same time I feel alone because of thay

[@Maryam-Abo-Elias]

@@asmamir3709 Can feel you. Personally, I study in a direct Phd program in the hebrew uni of Jerusalem and you can say that I'm the only hijabi and all the other students are jews and one christian student, so there is always this tension and a wierd feeling that is hard to describe between me and the jews ones.( of course have nothing against any religion but we have also here a political tension). May God make it easy for all of us dear Asma!☺

[@Zhafiraiha]

@@asmamir3709 may Allah give your strength, Asma ❤

[@meyrinkomaria9379]

Maybe because she from indonesia We have more than 5 religion in our country, and also respect each other, In here we are not being force to use hijab as a moeslim, and that's why when we choose to use hijab, we are very confident to wear it, cause we make the decisiom by our self,

[@Maryam-Abo-Elias]

@@meyrinkomaria9379 Much respect for Indonesians😍 Yeah me too we make the decision of hijab and I have 4 main religions in my country,but luckly all the students in my calss are jews and there is a political tension between us so this is why. But of course I love all people no matter what they believe..

[@izzahmd3460]

Alhamdulillah. Kami doakan anda berjaya cemerlang dunia akhirat. Anak baik yang boleh jd ikon muslimah. Aameen

[@franciscoxavier99]

Hi Zhafira, it would be nice if you could do a video about the praying rooms on campus, and whether there are similar places for other religions. Also, if you could share your experience learning English, and how did you reach that outstanding level of communicational skils! Cheers!

[@lunahh1417]

The amount of motivation and inspiration by seeing your own people from faith succeeding and just seeing them working !🥺

[@anothabc]

I’m planning to take my MBA soon and this is such a timely inspiration!

[@saraeddy2780]

This is a blow minded vlog for me! You guys are so lucky to be in such a wonderful place. I wished to be there too, especially because of prayer rooms. Here in France, sadly, we don't have them in our universities and we are obligated to pray secretly somewhere or to go to a near mosque (If there is one). Plus, your classes' programs are literally lighter than ours!! We have to stay in the university from 8 am to 8 pm! And to make it too hard for me as well, I spend 2 hours to attend my college. Really 30 min is nothing compared to what I have to face every single day! I'm really impressed to see how you spend the day and I'm so happy for that MachaAllah 🤍 May Allah protect you. Keep going on, and thank u ❤️

[@faisalrazzaq6002]

What is your lecture timing and how many lectures you have to attend daily?

[@ginotsun]

Sis you're so strong, you can endure all those tortures 😭

[@saraeddy2780]

@@faisalrazzaq6002 Some lectures start from 8 a.m. til the evening, I mean 8 p.m.

[@Mantappupe]

@@saraeddy2780 oke Lest Go aku Berangkat

[@salmahamzaoui2072]

Assalam alaikom!! It is such a pleasure to find some hijabi doing some vlogs. I really enjoyed your week vlog, especially showing some difficulties that you overcome as a muslim student. Hope you best wishes for your studies!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@bmunanabillah]

Thank you for sharing this, Zhaf♥️ stay safe and healthy~

[@elmasafira5472]

Everytime I watch your video, it always reminds me that studying is important kak. It's amazing that you can share positive energy by filming your day hihi. Thank you very much kakk, good luck on your study🤗❤️

[@alyaalgatie111]

Wow thank you for showing this invitation I really need it so I don’t miss prayers anymore when I’m at school😻😻😻

[@samiahsultan1002]

MashAllah, May Allah grant you success young lady. Your parents have done a fine job! :)

[@zaynabjackson86]

MashaAllah so great to have stumbled upon your channel! You're making me want to send my son there now. May Allah keep you steadfast and grant you much success in both worlds ameen

[@zzthelazy351]

I’m a high school student. I’m going to Chicago from another city for school because we unexpectedly moved out. I didn’t wanna change schools because the schools here are like- not as good as Chicago. So it takes me around 2 hours to get to school and 3 hours to come back because of the bus delays. I hope it way to the college/university gets easier for you (even you you said it was already easy). Wishing you the best, sister.

[@errorade5560]

I like the way you maintained this vlog using English and put Indonesian subtitles below, I'm Indonesian and I'm learning English, so I can learn and imitate your accent through this vlog. Thank you Keep it up this good work

[@deviandriyanti9891]

You’re such a good storyteller! Good luck with your study!

[@emirjusufbegovic4474]

You are so amazing and inspirational, dear sister. May Allah reward you!💗

[@jihan7450]

Masya Allah, lancar-lancar yaa kak zhaf studinyaa! semoga ilmunya berkah, aamiin

[@azmanfirdaus7636]

We, from Malaysia, love you, sister !..i was for 2 years ( MBA ) there...enjoyed the hard work there...I pray for your success dunia akhirat..

[@tshs1663]

you are literally my role model i just love how you deal with things

[@Raeveriee]

GIRLIEEE TY FOR MOTIVATING ME! hoping the best for u over there, SEMANGAT KAKK

[@akmalaraihusnia8589]

watch your video with english speaking is make me so comfortable. I'm currently learn english language and this video feels like listening practice. I love your pronunciation and I hope you can make another video with japanese too.

[@rajathia1014]

thanks a lot kak zhaf! u're really my role model, i hope one day my dream will comes truee:') hope i can study abroad too and "untuk aku si scholarship hunter you can! " love you so much kak zhaf, semoga di setiap langkah dan niat baik kita untuk menutut ilmu berkah dan lancar yaa🌷♥️

[@softae-]

I’m so proud of u !! i wish you all success and happiness

[@ruriinayah]

MasyaAllah..it's nice to know that Harvard also provides a prayer room for muslims 💕

[@mdfaiz8943]

Wonderful 😊 That's the Muslim Women 🤘 Getting higher level education along with Maintaining their Islamic Identities. May Allah grant you tremendous success in your future endeavours. Love from India 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@bountyhunter9718]

Masha ALLAH sister we r all proud of you. Show the world that hijabis can reach everything they want. My huge respect to you. My dua is that every daughter get the opportunity to reach this kind of education

[@sittiyusoph2273]

Ma sha Allah, I just find your videos just now. It’s very calming and inspirational. You’re an independent muslim woman living in different place. I wish, I could do that too. Keep safe and make more vlogs like this. Thanks

[@marketing_septiarosita1521]

Such a wonderful vloggg,love ittt

[@Cha-h5e]

hai zha.. senang sekali nonton video2 kamu, semoga lancar study nya disana, semoga selalu dilindungi Allah SWT, video kamu membuka pandangan aku yang lain tentang perempuan,pernikahan,pendidikan dan mengejar mimpi. video kamu sering aku jadikan bahan diskusi sama suami karna kami punya 1 putri. Insha Allah suatu hari Shaffiyah anak ku bisa nonton video kamu dan bisa jadi inspirasi nya kelak. Allah blessing u :)

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Wonderful video! Thank you for sharing it. ✌️

[@miftahullabiibsyam8739]

Thanks kak zaf for sharing this very inspirational and informational video. Always love to watch ur content.

[@keluargaletsgo1]

Thank you for sharing Zhaf !! ❤️

[@user-jt4is6vu5u]

From Iraq 🇮🇶 Big love for you, I'm also a Muslim

[@madihaaftab1649]

Great to see a practicing muslimah in Harvard ...best wishes and prayers for your spirtual and educational journeys

[@CW-xv2um]

So informative, love this!

[@sarvarruziev9636]

Thank you very much. You gave me the motivation that no one could give. Good luck on your studies.

[@fatmarasad1983]

Masha Allah. It's a good thing harvard provide a prayer rooms and there's no hindrance to keep on your faith and not missing salah while you're in the campus. Keep safe.

[@emsarellih4311]

MA SHA ALLAH! YOU ARE AMAZING ♥️ LOVE FROM THE PHILIPPINES. 🇵🇭

[@ibadasaid6477]

That’s amazing You are doing progress and hold your deen…proud of you sis from somalia 🇸🇴❤️may Allah bless you and your family

[@darilensaharithariffin]

All the best for your studies! From Malaysia

[@cynarnia]

thank you for representing us hijabis! all the best and take care at harvard :)

[@aprilialarasati7738]

you bring positive vibes, luv it so much 🥰🥰

[@Aqiella26]

MasyaAllah sooo proud of you, thank you for your amazing sharing, you are inspiring and cool, your English skills are also very good, may Allah always watch over you ❤

[@nurfarahim4784]

keep inspiring zhaf, it's really good to see a muslim especially in western country has a good balance for uni lifr

[@sueella7180]

MaashaaAllah. I just came across your video today dear Zhafira. glad u show a good Islam value there. pray tht u success in everything u do dear. may Allah swt shower u will lots of blessings here & in the hereafter...

[@allunacahya9683]

Ka zhafiiiii seneng bgt liat vlognya, thankyou ka zhaf sehat-sehat!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@rinianggrianiputri3947]

Banyak2 belajar bhs inggris dri channelnya kak zha, thanks so much kak🌹sukses sll kak zha.

[@Themanwiththename]

May Allah reward you with best of this world and the hereafter! You are a good example for us muslims to follow, masha’Allah!

[@nahdia1812]

Suka banget sama cara ngomong bahasa inggrisnya bisa dijadikan untuk belajar karena tidak terlalu cepat dan mudah didengarkan. Semoga bisa seperti kak zhaf s2 di LN amiinnn

[@hanifahfarros3169]

thankyou kak zhafira, aku seneng nontonin vlog kakak, informatif bangeet. semangat ya kak semoga lancar dan berkah studinyaaa, sehat selalu.

[@kawsaradan]

Masha Allah lovely vlog, I love how you're friendly and confident through out masha Allah! proud sister from UK 😍😁

[@zenaguimeliza3502]

You are so brave. I could never attend an international college. I'm just afraid of racism because I wear a scarf.

[@Zhafiraiha]

Alhamdulillah I never once gotten discriminated because of my hijab in the past 5 years of attending university in Muslim-minority countries. I definitely encourage doing research on the environment that we will be living in to make sure it's safe. Sometimes media's representation is not the most accurate and you'll be surprised to see how respectful people actually are!

[@jasminasinanbegovic6225]

I would encourage you to just dare. Shouldn't let your fears overtake your faith, cause when we submit to fear instead of faith, that peace of cloth on our heads will lose it's meaning

[@zaasaa_art]

thank you for inspiring us!

[@iqbalramdani2650]

i really enjoy to watch the video. Ga berasa udah habis aja padahal ini video panjang. Keep it up kak Zhaf

[@safrudinkurniawan3904]

No wonder why your videos editing are amazing, this is your major.

[@munsoraabdulgafur5473]

Just a stranger(super stranger),but the title made me to write:Proud of you my sis!! Make du'a for me in sha Allah🌻🖤

[@carinnatiara3929]

I'm so entertained and got so much informations! 🤩 Semoga bisa nyusul ke Harvard buat S2 di sana, Aamiin. 😇

[@faridatriani]

I really enjoy to watching your daily vlog as one student of harvard ka, Masyaallah I was inspired by you to get a scholarship abroad and have amazing experience there😍

[@neverbeefamous]

it's always really nice to read Zhaf's comment section :)

[@zephyr7876]

MasyaAllah tabarakallah suka banget sama vibesnya kak zhafira ♡♡♡ Barakallahu fiik kak 💕💖 Sukses selalu insyaAllah

[@maddiemadaline]

Hey Zhafira. This is the first time I watch your video. Well, you inspires me a lot. It's been a long day like I've lost my dream, studying abroad. But seeing you there. I don't know, I felt like I want to chase my dream again. Practicing my English. Please pray for me, that Allah will give me a chance to reach that. Thanks a lot for inspiring me. Hope you're always doing great there. Aamiin :)

[@sdiaahssain7101]

Mashallah you're so blessed hoping for you a great future in this world and hereafter sis.

[@isalutfi]

Selalu suka sama konten youtube nya, terima kasih kak Zhafira

[@RoheyRohey]

Ma sha Allah. So proud of you

[@user-lz3tv4wz4d]

It’s very impressive and instructive vid. Thanks for sharing a lesson to be more understanding Hijabi.

[@erwinanderpan2798]

Thank you for this vidio,i will bring this for my sister to her motivation

[@Med_by_H]

Helloooo I literally just discovered your channel and now I am wondering why I didn’t find it sooner !!!! i loved your video it gave me positive energy , may Allah bless u sister even though I don’t know u I feel proud that us muslims are represented in a prestigious school by u ^^ sending u lots of duas and love all the way from Algeria ❤

[@tinainaz3830]

I appreciate this vlog very, very much, but I hope you will take more caution when revealing your schedules online! Please take care. You are such an inspiration, thanks a lot!

[@arhamcreation823]

I am pregnant. I still don't know who would it be (girl or boy) but i am very excited to meet my baby. I am somebody who likes to plan things before and the rest i leave upon to All Almighty Allah swt. I have strong faith in him. I try my best to live my life as balance as it should be. I wanna give my best in both the world and also teach my child to be the one. So , i decided if i have a baby i would send him or her in such a prestige academy and would teach all the islamic lesson which would make him or her a decent person. Pray for my health as my delivery is about to happen very soon.

[@arhamcreation823]

@@sabdullah5041 if you really believe in Allah swt. You should not keep yourself in depressive mood. Have trust, give your best and warkhard towards it. Make things possible by trusting Allah swt. Well I have a baby boy now Allhundulilah. I gave birth to a baby who is boy and i am very happy , life seems complete with this lil baby. I will give my best in my teachings. I will not disappoint my BELOVED ALLAH

[@arhamcreation823]

@@sabdullah5041 yes, being a parent we should not but we know his or her best quality as per our early teachings.

[@maryallouche9490]

@@arhamcreation823 not necessarily, children are full human beings with their full personality, likes, dislikes, dreams and aspirations. You may think you know your child when they‘re a baby, but once they‘re are a teen or a young adult, I‘m sure you won‘t know your kid as you think you do. I‘m 21 and my parents think they know everything about me, but they don‘t. They only see what I allow and let them see.

[@raisin4406]

Such unis have a lot of fitna though.. college is a huge hardship for muslims and really challenges your deen. Going to a uni in a muslim country would be better

[@alyadhiqtaelfalah5789]

Always love your video, kak!🥺🥺

[@Hoorashnmi]

Hi, your video gave me a calm sensing, because i want to come to us and i was worry about washing and praying, thank you for this useful vlog.

[@sinbadtu4300]

why? its land of freedom...if praying s yr concern you should go to muslim country Afghanistan.

[@ErnaSeptiani_]

Masya alloh, selalu happy liat orang pada kuliah diluar, pengalaman yang berharga ❤️

[@sarrainjapan]

MashaAllah so inspiring..thanks for the informative flog

[@ismailv4197]

Congratulations to Sister zahfira Aquila for the incredible awareness. Thank you so much.

[@munmunahmedjoly]

Maa Sha'Allah! Thank you, and good luck.

[@sameershaikh247shaikh2]

I am from India I am first time watch your video as a Muslim you are so strong sis

[@setsunachan1]

This makes me want to continue my study 📚

[@asmerabakang9557]

me either

[@nurlaela1452]

Kak.. sering " bikin vlog ya.. untuk memotivasi kita untuk semangat belajar dan mengejar mimpi. Tidak berhenti menuntut ilmu sampai liang lahat. All the best for you..

[@faiza_b_alam]

loved the video!

[@thaniadeschamps5219]

Allahumma Barik , may Allah keep you firm on your religion sister and make it easy for your studies. The portable bottle is amazing! May Allah reward your friends and the person who invented it , l want one like that hi hi

[@IzzahIlman]

This is my first time watching your video and i looove it. Thank you for sharing your life in Harvard. ❤

[@qudsiyafatima8371]

Oh my God..your vlog is so interesting.i just watched it in one sitting... waiting for more vlogs from your side...

[@MohammadYoussof]

Masha’Allah . JazakALLAH Khair. Wish you guys all the best,

[@mohammedkoya8695]

Masha Allah, I will pray for your jannah, I am from India, Kerala, Calicut. Convey my regards to your parents & Family

[@muslimah.revert]

Assalamu Alaykum sister, MashAllah! As a new revert living in Europe, the idea about portable bidet is just amazing! In sha Allah I can find to buy it online. JazakAllah Khair for sharing this with us 😊🙏

[@umiefitri7593]

So Happy to watch your video. It's The First Time. Nice to know you Zhaf.. 🙏 #thank you for saying hello back to me 🥰

[@aina3566]

youre such an inspiration! 🫶🏻

[@piousukhti]

Ma sha Allah ☺️❤️✨ Lots of love from India 🇮🇳

[@bellejourneelibre47]

So proud of you Sister💖💖💖 May Allah SubhanAllah protect you and your family Ameen💟💟💟

[@sassysassy9950]

Ahhhj love to see the part during the "Friday prayer"

[@jamshidbekkarimov4868]

This is a great idea. You should continue to make a lot of videos. We will all of your videos

[@awaissoomro3952]

MashaAllah sister in these hard times for muslims in western region you are following Islam with bravery more power to you....Allah bless u. Love from Pakistan ♥️