Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff

Halla Abdelrahman said as a child she was distanced from Islam. At 22, she has since reconnected with her religion.

Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff

Laila Alawa's parents decided to raise their children in small towns when they moved to the United States.

Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff

Laila and her siblings often felt ostracized in the communities where they lived.

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For Ebad Rahman, far right, choosing a college with a vibrant Muslim community was a priority.

Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff

Ebad and friends prayed outside during Ramadan last month.

The Boston Globe

Mona Salem worked at Walgreens recently. In sixth grade she lost friends when she began wearing a head scarf.