FLINT— A Syrian American poet and activist from Flint Township debuted her first rap music video, “Hijabi”, in an effort to shatter stereotypes about hijabis on Muslim Women’s Day.

The new hijabi artist, Mona Haydar, 28, filmed it at the Arab American National Museum when she was eight months pregnant.

She said that today’s political climate played a major role in the quick release of the music video.

“Given our current administration’s insistence on demonizing and maligning the bodies of women and Muslims, among others, I wanted to get this song out as soon as possible,” Haydar told The Huffington Post. “I hoped that a pregnant woman who is obviously Muslim [and] creating art and speaking truth would inspire people and offer some levity, joy and hope.”

She said that she grew up in Flint, listening to hip hop artists like Mos Def, A Tribe Called Quest and Rakim, adding that they all identified as Muslims.

“You cannot separate Islam from Blackness or Blackness from hip-hop or hip-hop from Islam,” she said.

Haydar said she appreciates Black American Islam and its contributions to hip-hop, adding that she is blessed to be able to be “a small part of a great legacy in creating culture.”

She told HuffPost that the immigrant community owes the Black community.

“The immigrant Muslim community owes so much to the Black community, which has been here, practicing Islam, since the time when Africans were kidnapped and enslaved here in America,” Haydar said.

She said she hopes her song inspires young girls to be themselves.

“I want to be able to inspire young girls and let them know that they can look and dress any way they want to and still be relevant and current,” she said.

However, Haydar did receive some criticism. Conservative Muslims called her music “haram (forbidden).”

She said they believe women are not supposed to sing, but she doesn’t agree.

Haydar told HuffPost that the Muslims who claim the Islamic faith forbids her music will ultimately come around.

“I’ve studied [Islam],” she said. “I’m not a kid rushing into my art. I’m a grown woman who believes that art can change the world. I’m not worried about the haters.

“They’ll get on board eventually and I will welcome them with all my love when they do,” she added. “In the meantime, I still love them dearly.”