LOS ANGELES – Amidst an ugly backdrop of anti-Islamic rhetoric in the US, the first American Muslim Olympian to compete in a hijab hopes her appearance at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics will help change wrong attitudes towards her Muslim community.

“It’s a tough political environment that we’re in right now, it’s not easy,” Muhammad told reporters on Wednesday at the US Olympic team media summit,” Ibtihaj Muhammad, 30-year-old African-American saber fencer, told Agence France Presse (AFP) on Thursday, March 10.

“Muslims are under the microscope and I’m hoping to change the image that people may have of Muslim women.

Muhammad has guaranteed her spot in US Olympic team in after earning enough points at the World Cup in January.

Her qualification comes amidst increasing anti-Muslim rhetoric in the US, led by Republican presidential hopefuls such as Donald Trump and Dr. Ben Carson.

Though the talented fencer holds a history of success in international competitions in the American team, she has been confronted with discrimination ever since childhood.

Therefore, she finds the Olympic Games as offering her a chance to show Muslim women in a new light.

“I know that Muslim women are very, very diverse, especially here in the United States,” she said.

“We come in all different shapes, colors and sizes and we come from different backgrounds and are productive members of society. I want people to see that.”

The hijabi athlete, however, refused to talk about Muslims life in the US if Trump was elected to the White House in November.

“I hate to talk about what ifs,” she said.

“I’m hoping we can change direction a little bit and see Muslims in more of a positive light and try to combat the negative imagery that we are shown every day. Can I influence the debate? I don’t know. I’m just trying to do well in Rio.”

Hope

The Muslim fencer hopes to achieve success in Rio De Janeiro Olympics with Team USA.

However, challenges of the toxic climate were causing some fears.

“When Muslims were being kicked off flights in the middle of Olympic qualifiers that was a real worry — am I going to be allowed to board my flight to make it to my Olympic qualifier?” she asked.

The situation was adding more burdens to the athlete who is addressing issues relating to her race, religion and gender, rather than merely focusing on her sport.

“It’s something I struggle with every day. But ultimately I feel incredibly blessed to have been given this platform. And when I think of my predecessors and people who have spoken out against bigotry and hate, I feel like I owe it not just to myself but to my community to try to fight it,” she said.

“You have to not just think about yourself, but everyone. And there are people in America right now who don’t feel safe going to work every day, who don’t feel safe in their community. That’s a problem.

“I remember being a kid and people telling me I didn’t belong in my sport because of my skin color, because I was Muslim. So if I can be a source of change for other minorities I feel fortunate to be able to do that.”

Muhammad was endorsed recently by President Barack Obama, during his first visit to a US mosque, with the US leader joking he expected her to bring back a gold medal.

Obama’s endorsement did not leave Muhammad feeling under additional pressure to deliver in Rio.

“No not at all, I don’t feel any pressure,” she said.

“I feel so fulfilled and blessed to be in this position to represent Team USA.”