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My Beloved Syria: I Will Not Forget You
2011 was the year I joined Islamic Relief USA. 2011 is also the same year that conflict erupted in my mother and father’s native Syria. Year after year of the conflict, the death and displacement of my people would only increase exponentially as time passed. First with Syrians pouring into neighboring countries like Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon to flee violence, and then expending to Europe and eventually even over the Atlantic ocean to America and Canada. With the massive exodus came huge media attention and much financial support to many humanitarian organizations trying to put a bandaid on the bleeding and lend a helping hand. Celebrities spoke out to bring…
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Identity, Sincerity, and the Age of Social Media
A few months ago, I sat for dinner with a new friend of mine to break bread and get to know each other. There was, however, no bread involved–only noodles and a conversation that drifted to our common struggles as hijabis. We both shared our challenges to represent our true selves to others without feeling like what we’re doing is for others. Being hijabis, we’ve often felt that both Muslims and non-Muslims are quick to make assumptions about who we are and the kinds of opinions we hold. We’re often thought of as too conservative or not conservative enough. We find ourselves frequently feeling the need to correct these assumptions…
