July 11, 2008, 2:40PM
FACING CHALLENGES
Breaking down stereotypes
Islamic society president has become the face of American Muslim women

By BARBARA KARKABI

Ingrid Mattson lost her faith as a teenager. Years later she found it again in the pages of the
Quran and the teachings of Islam.

Since then, Mattson has been somewhat of a poster girl for Muslim women. Two years ago she made
headlines when she became the first woman and first convert elected to head the Islamic Society
of North America.

Mattson wears a head scarf, or hijab, and dresses modestly in long sleeves and ankle-length
skirts or dresses. She also has strong views on the role of women in Islam, which she backs up
with examples from the life of the prophet Muhammad and the Quran.

"The thing to understand is that Islam treats women as spiritual equals to men," Mattson said.
"Muslim women have the same obligation to pay charity, to perform community service, all of
those things. What looks different is that women wear more modest dress, not to oppress or
demean them but to allow them to be in the public space without being harassed or distracted."

She acknowledged, however, that problems exist. And she is not shy about discussing them.