Well, my husband is supportive of my work, like advocating for dialogue between cultures on YouTube.

I've learned to take things a little more easily, to be a little more forgiving of myself.

My position attracts a fair amount of rumors and gossip and misperceptions, but I'd rather not focus on that.

A woman caring for her children; a woman striving to excel in the private sector; a woman partnering with her neighbors to make their street safer; a woman running for office to improve her country - they all have something to offer, and the more our societies empower women, the more we receive in return.

For many, the hijab represents modesty, piety and devotion to God, and I truly respect that. But the hijab should not be used as a means of applying social pressure on people.

Values are the shields that you carry throughout life and it protects you from whatever life throws at you.

There are so many misperceptions and stereotypes out there that I would love to see clarified one day.