This is how the Egyptian Aya Jalal faced Islamophobia to become the first veiled news anchor in Connecticut (

Egyptian Aya Galal, the first hijab-wearing announcer to appear on television in the US state of Connecticut, said that working with the hijab in front of the camera is “not easy and full of challenges,” noting the importance of confronting any hateful or Islamophobic comments and not responding to them and wasting time in this matter.

In an interview with the hashtag program on Al Jazeera Mubasher, the young Egyptian added that working on television is “exciting and interesting, but difficult, especially for a Muslim girl who wears the hijab.”

And she continued, “There are challenges accompanying the appearance of the veiled woman on television in the United States because it becomes subject to negative feelings from some people, but fortunately for me I became the first veiled broadcaster in Connecticut.”

And she added, “My colleagues advised me when I wanted to work on air in front of the camera to face the remarks, feelings of hatred and comments of Islamophobia. I don’t respond to her and that was the most important advice: I shouldn’t waste my time on this.”

Aya considered that what she had achieved was the result of a long journey of hard and continuous work, declaring that she had been working for 3 years behind the screen and the camera, whether at the university or her current channel, before the channel last year gave her the opportunity to prepare reports in front of the camera and then appear on the screen.

“There are Muslim girls who wear the hijab in the United States, and I hope to inspire them,” she said. Screens should reflect diversity and show our talents.”

Aya expressed her great happiness with the great support she received from the audience all over the world, her co-workers and journalists of different nationalities.

She pointed out that (Al-Jazeera) channel is one of the most important channels that her parents follow, pointing out the need for it to be linked more to its Arab heritage and to be keen on communicating with fellow journalists around the world.

She concluded, “Sometimes we have to prepare ourselves, go a long way, and face doubts. I thought I wouldn’t be able to appear on screen in the United States and I had fears but I worked hard and now I’m an anchor.”

Last Saturday, Aya Jalal appeared on WFSB news channel in Connecticut to provide news coverage.

This was the first time that a veiled girl presented the news on this American channel, and the event coincided with Christmas celebrations around the world.

Aya is the daughter of Egyptian parents and one of 5 children, according to media reports. Married in her early twenties, Aya majored in journalism and political science at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, where she participated in Q30 TV, a student-run station on campus, before graduating in 2018.

Many employees of WFSB and other American channels welcomed Aya’s appearance on the screen and praised her performance and work.

It is noteworthy that the (WFSB) news channel is affiliated with the American network (CBS News).