At the National Student Town Hall Wednesday, Oct. 28, presidential candidate Bernie Sanders fielded questions from students in the audience and around the nation. Hosted in a gym in the Recreation and Athletic Complex, the town hall was streamed live to approximately 250 universities, and those who tuned in could submit questions for the senator via social media.

Among those present at the event was Mason Senior Remaz Abdelgader, a conflict analysis and resolution major, who asked Sanders how he plans to address Islamophobia.

“If you look at the Republican candidates, in order to feed into their constituents they’re talking about Islamophobia and are constantly bashing Muslims in the media. Ben Carson [and] Donald Trump [are] the biggest bigots,” Abelgader said. “As a Muslim student, as an American-Muslim student, who aspires to change this world…hearing the rhetoric that’s going on in the media makes me sick, because I as an individual am constantly trying to raise awareness and make sure everyone is treated equally in this country, so to the next president of the United States, what do you think about that?”

After Abelgader’s passionate address, Sanders invited her onto the stage and where he hugged her amidst loud cheers from the crowd.

Watch the clip from Mason Cable Network: