Youth
1 min
21, Muslim, and Tired of Explaining
I've answered 'aren't you hot in that?' approximately four hundred times. Here's my actual answer.
Revert journeys. Identity struggles. Faith found, lost, and found again. Unfiltered voices from your brothers and sisters across the world.
In Egypt, a divorced woman is a tragedy. I decided to be a plot twist instead.
I've answered 'aren't you hot in that?' approximately four hundred times. Here's my actual answer.
Fasting while serving in the military in Phnom Penh tested everything I thought I knew about gratitude.
I've answered 'but why can't you drink?' approximately four hundred times. Here's my actual answer.
I've answered 'but why can't you drink?' approximately four hundred times. Here's my actual answer.
In Tanzania, everyone assumed I was born Muslim. Actually, I found Islam at 29.
When the neighbourhood changed, our converted shop became the only institution that stayed — Muslim and non-Muslim alike.
They said wearing my kufi would hold me back in finance. I wore it anyway. They took me seriously regardless.
Our first year nearly ended because of whose family to visit for Eid. What saved us was an imam who understood marriage counselling.
Everyone in my catholic community thought I'd lost my mind. I'd never been more sane.
At school I was too Muslim. At the mosque I was too Sudan. I spent years feeling like I belonged nowhere.
I spent 25 years searching for meaning in buddhist. Then a roommate changed everything.
At school I was too Muslim. At the mosque I was too American. I spent years feeling like I belonged nowhere.