Prom is viewed by many high school girls as a rite of passage.  So what if you were told you could not go?  Even for those who do not view prom as such a big deal, being told they were not allowed would come as a bit of a shock.

Yet this is a reality for many girls of different backgrounds who for cultural or religious reasons are not allowed to attend their high school proms, or any other functions featuring dates or dancing with boys.

But this year, instead of accepting the fact she could not go to prom, Tharima Ahmed, 17 decided she would throw her own prom, one fitting to her cultural regulations, which meant for one thing that it would be all-girl prom.

At Hamtramck High, in Hamtramck, Michigan, about 65% of girls were not allowed to attend the regular co-ed prom. This new prom was viewed as an exciting alternative. To most it was seen as more than just a prom, it reflected a cultural shift. Being prohibited from prom is a problem faced by girls all over the country who have certain religious beliefs. The girls at Hamtramck High decided to change this in hopes that it could inspire schools everywhere to do the same.

After seven months of planning and $2,500 of fundraising through bake sales the night was set. The ballroom was covered in pink lights, pink decorations and a fountain spewing pink water. It was a typical girl’s dream prom. Which is exactly was the plan. The all-girl event was also open to Hamtramck High alumnae who had never got the opportunity to go when they were students. The agenda was for fun, dancing, and music all night, except for during dinner and the allotted time for prayer. During that time the dance floor was covered with a prayer rug.

The room was filled with girls of all different ethnicities—including Bangladeshi-American, Yemeni-American, Polish-American, Palestinian-American, Bosnian-American, African-American etc. For many of them it was the first time their peers had seen them with their hair down or out of their usual dress of hijabs and abayas. Girls were unrecognizable without their traditional dress but enjoyed being able to express themselves with colorful gowns and sparkly accessories.

The night really fit its theme of “Once Upon a Dream”.