Tahera Rahman is now the first full-time news reporter to ever appear on live American television wearing the traditional Muslim headscarf, widely known as a hijab. Tahera made her first debut on Feb. 8, 2018, a date she will forever hold dear to her heart. This day marks her first on-air-broadcast as a journalist for WHBF-TV, a CBS affiliate covering the Quad Cities region in Illinois and Iowa.
Empowering role model
After her first on-air broadcast, messages of support from Muslims and non-Muslims around the world started pouring in; people started calling her an empowering role model for women and girls around the world.
People from Iowa were so proud of her and went ahead to invite her into their homes so she could speak to their daughters.
Coming back for you, QC! My boss is here to make sure I’m back in the newsroom tomorrow 😂 pic.twitter.com/6lvP0ZIVIU
— Tahera Rahman (@TaheraTV) March 8, 2018
Rahman admits the road has been tough as there were times she wanted to quit but her mother encouraged her to push on. In her email to TODAY Style, she says she has also received some negative feedback, messages, and even threats from different individuals. Her wish is that more people will change their views and begin to accept her for who she is; an American working hard to improve her life and those around her. She is determined to live her dream as a reporter not letting fear and negativity get in the way.
Common misconceptions
Tahera is currently living in Davenport, Iowa and has worked as a producer for WHBF-TV for about two years, but she has always wanted to be in front of the camera fulfilling her dreams of being a reporter. She says a lot of people have tried to discourage her, including her mentors. Most of them told her America would never accept a hijab-wearing news anchor.
Determined to prove them wrong, when an opening came up for an on-air reporter, she jumped at the chance and luckily landed the job.
Born to Pakistani and Indian parents, Tahera Rahman always dreamed of being in front of the camerahttps://t.co/2cTYxkSExB pic.twitter.com/TExmQDKAZI
— Tribune Life & Style (@ETLifeandStyle) March 9, 2018
Rahman spoke of how she hopes her visibility as an on-air reporter will help change the common misconceptions about Muslim women and how Muslims in general.
She says a lot of people believe hijab-wearing women are oppressed by their culture but she hopes she can be an example for those who believe in such misconceptions.
Rahman's parents are immigrants from India and Pakistan whom according to their daughter, have been very supportive of her dreams and choices. Rahm celebrates her heritage and faith as a Muslim though she acknowledges that not everyone supports it. Her boss says she is very talented and they are happy to have her on the team.
