Kiandra Browne — Canadian Council of Muslim Women

Kiandra is currently a junior at Indiana University where she plays D1 basketball while completing her undergraduate degree. Being from Montreal, Canada her whole life has been revolving around basketball. In September 2020 Kiandra embraced Islam and a short period later, also embraced wearing the hijab. After being hit with the different way that others saw and treated her, she promised herself to create change for the next generation of hijabi ballers. Kiandra is now actively striving to create and initiate change wherever she goes.

Instagram: kiandra_browne

Twitter: Kiandra_B

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What have been the most rewarding aspects of your work so far?

The most rewarding aspect of my work so far has been to be able to get feedback and people coming to me saying that I have inspired them to either wear hijab, or start praying or just get loser to the Deen. This shows me that what I'm doing is bigger than basketball and encourages me to continue on the path that I'm on despite the difficulties that I face or those that lie ahead.

What have been some of the more challenging aspects?

I make it a point to never sugar coat anything. There are many challenging aspects about being a hijabi basketball player since it is not the norm. One has been dealing with the comments of others, the ignorance, the way that people treat you is very different ect. But the challenges that you face are what makes it rewarding. Your relationship with Allah (SWT) grows as you stand firm in your faith and stay on the Deen. I have also found that by standing firm in your beliefs actually make people respect you more.

Name a Black Muslim woman who has been an inspiration to you and why.

Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir is a huge inspiration to me. She is a trailblazer for all Muslim women who have dreams to play basketball at the NCAA level as well as the professional level. the courage that she exhibits and her testimony alone show how strong she is and how much her Deen is important to her. She has personally gave me the courage I needed to put on hijab as a convert faced with a tremendous amount of adversity.