I am an American

We are One Nation

Each week, this series will introduce you to an exceptional American who unites, rather than divides, our communities. In this installment, read about Tara Ijai, a Muslim American and mother of two sons who lives in Phoenix.

Each week, this series will introduce you to an exceptional American who is making a difference to unite, rather than divide, our communities. To read more about the American profiled here and more average Americans doing exceptional things, visit onenation.usatoday.com.

Tara Ijai was 28 when she converted to Islam and chose to wear a hijab, a head covering worn by Muslim women.

Two months later, on Sept. 11, 2001, her faith made her a target.

Ijai’s father called her in Arizona and asked her not to wear her hijab. He was afraid someone might hurt her. But Ijai told him, “I chose this. I believe in this.” Fourteen years later, she walked into a restaurant in Los Angeles. She was there with her mother and sister for a shopping weekend. A television was tuned to the news, about the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California.

Ijai, wearing her hijab, could feel people looking at her.

“Are they afraid of me?” she thought.

Later, Ijai called her brother, Brad Boulrice, in Texas.

When they hung up, Ijai’s phone buzzed. Boulrice had sent her a picture of a guinea pig wearing heart-shaped glasses, with a caption: “I can’t see all the haters with my love glasses on.”

Ijai bought herself a pair of heartshaped sunglasses.

When people complimented her glasses, she explained them:

“These are my love glasses. I choose to see the world with love.” She bought more and gave them away, ordered more and sold some so she could buy still more.

She called her Facebook page and website “Love Glasses Revolution.” She sells heart-shaped glasses and donates a portion of the proceeds to nonprofit groups.

Last Halloween, Ijai was in the parking lot of a grocery store in Scottsdale when a car slowed down. A man leaned out of the open window.

“Hey!” he yelled at her. “Nice costume.” When she didn’t respond, he pulled closer and yelled again. “Hey, nice costume!”

Ijai looked at him through her heartshaped glasses.

“Hey, thanks!” she said, and then held up one hand in a peace sign.

Because she can’t see the haters with her love glasses on.