15 Things You May Not Know About ... HH's Ahmed Zedan, COO
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Sep 9, 2019
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4 MIN READ
Around the office, Haute Hijab COO Ahmed Zedan is known for three things: Bugging Salwa (our graphic designer), enjoying good food and having an app recommendation for whatever struggle any team member is having. Oh, yeah, also for being the "Ahmed" of the HH duo "Melanie and Ahmed!" 😊 Ahmed has been with HH from the start, from helping Melanie photograph hijabs in their living room when the company was just starting out to now making sure everything from a back-end perspective works smoothly and constantly improves.
HH would not be where it's at without Ahmed's dedication to the mission and brand of the business. When we talk about what it means to be good #MuslimMaleAllies - Ahmed is it. He asks a lot of his team and gives as much if not more back to them. But did you know that he has a special love for Japanese anime? Or that he dreams of going into space? Get to know Ahmed as he answers 15 fun (and a few deep) questions in our ongoing summer (now fall) team-focused series – "15 Things You May Not Know About ... "
Haute Hijab's COO Ahmed Zedan!
1. What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
I don’t usually have much free time. When I have a breather, I like to play soccer, read or chill with Mel. The best is when we’re hanging out with family. It’s a chance to kick back and relax. We usually play games or laugh at the one who will not be named’s stupid antics.
2. What are your hobbies? What are your dream hobbies?
Not sure you’d count this as a hobby, but I daydream a lot. I imagine how things could be and analyze social behaviors in the process. My more pedestrian tendencies are reading, debating with Mel and making fun of Salwa. I used to be a serious gamer, but it’s been a while. Also, I love to cook. In another life, I would have been a Michelin-star chef!
3. What is something you hate doing?
Things in life that are necessary evils and repeating myself. Ain’t nobody got time for that!
4. If you could eat something on an endless loop, what would it be?
The toughest question yet! For all Chicagoans take note, Frontier Chicken at Khan BBQ at Western & Devon is/was AMAZING!!! It’s been a while, so I can’t say whether or not the quality has gone down. Love me some Lahori Chargha and Piri-Piri chicken. Also, you can’t get better chicken shawarma than in Lebanon. Can you tell I have a poultry obsession?!
5. What feeds your soul/when are you at your happiest/best?
Nothing is more rewarding than conceiving something that doesn’t exist and then birthing it into the world. The power and inspiration that constant creativity brings to the world is thrilling and a healthy reminder of a divine presence. Love new ideas and people who are willing to risk it all to make it happen. Get that to intersect with a meaningful human connection, and you get fireworks!
6. Who do you look up to the most and why? (living or dead)
Look up to people and you’ll be disappointed. Embrace their flaws and appreciate their journey, then it’s a lesson. I’ve drawn a lot of very meaningful lessons from the life of Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali. They both lived authentically and risked it all in the process. I also find Nelson Mandela’s life very fascinating for similar reasons.
7. If you could go back and change something in your life, what would it be?
I believe the journey we take is necessary for growth. I wouldn’t change a thing, except I want my three hours back for watching Batman v. Superman!
8. What is your biggest challenge in life?
Alhamdulillah, I’m very lucky. Often times my nafs (ego) is the challenge.
9. What is something about you that people would be surprised to know?
I HAVE AN IDENTICAL TWIN BROTHER!!! [Editor’s note: Ahmed suffers from a split personality disorder, and we’ve been advised by a mental health professional not to break it to him that his twin is a figment of his imagination. Also, this editor’s note is a joke. He really does have an identical twin brother!]
I also have a special love for Japanese anime, not to be confused with Saturday morning cartoons! Old school peeps will remember Voltron. Later I got into Dragon Ball, and I love Akira! Real fans will remember Grave of the Fireflies as a classic! And much, much more ...
10. What is that big dream thing you want to accomplish in life? Or if not one thing, a few things?
Going into space has been a lifelong dream. Nothing like zero gravity, extreme cold and no air to get the blood pumping!
11. For the Muslims at Haute Hijab – what is your favorite or not-so-favorite thing about working at a Muslim-owned company?
Prayer space and shatafa (bidet!) for the win!
12. What does a typical Friday night look like for you?
You’ll usually catch me doing wheelies on 5th ave (in Manhattan). Good times! Reality, though, is rather sedated. I’m usually trying to wind down from the week and chill with Mel and a few friends.
Ahmed and Melanie in Kyoto, Japan.
13. What’s the strangest or most fun family tradition you have?
Growing up my family barbecued almost every day of the summer. Family gatherings are the best. Everyone gets creative with a dish, and we tell stories.
14. Cat person or dog person (or some other kind of animal)?
I used to like dogs as a kid, because I had a traumatic incident with three vicious cats that tore me up. As I got older, I fell in love with cats. Those who are true HH vlog followers will remember my sister’s cats. Pretty, pretty, pretty cute!
15. If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be and why?
Dream big; failures are signposts. And, share the love with others.
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