Al-Nur: Volume 16 | Issue 2 by Al-Nur Literary Magazine

News

Thanksgiving Food Drive By Anam Siddiqui I only ever agreed to help out with the Stamp Out Hunger food drive as a favor to a friend. Imagine my surprise when I was put in charge of coordinating volunteers for the North and South campus shop shifts. I certainly wouldn't want night shifts out there in this weather - they sound cold and dark and boring and too far. How could I ever talk others into it? On Night One of the drive, I was still mostly volunteer-less and unmotivated, sending out the sign up sheet to anyone and everyone I thought might help. By Night Two, the guilt set in and I was trudging out to the Commons Shop at 6 pm with a box, a cold nose, and a faithful friend. The next hour was undoubtedly the best hour of my Tuesday. Starting out was hard. I rambled, I stuttered, I blushed. But when that first can hit the bottom of the box

and I heard, "You guys are doing a great job!", I suddenly realized my job was SO easy. There were a steady stream of people heading into the shop, which sold plenty of canned goods that could be bought with points instead of cash. A lot of people were willing to pick something up and bring it out to donate. All I had to do was smile and ask! "Hi! We're having a Thanksgiving food drive, collecting cans and nonperishable food items. If you could pick up something inside to donate, we'd appreciate it!" I said it over and over and it never got old, because of all the smiles and cans I got in return. When I wasn't asking for donations, I got to talk and laugh with my shift buddy. It was guiltfree social time on a school night! Something about the clear, frosty air and all the smiles and donations we were collecting gave us an amazing, giddy feeling. I had an energy I didn't

think I'd have after a day worrying about essays and registration. Many people stopped to ask about our organization or where the goods were being donated, which gave us a great opportunity to talk about the MSA and SOME. Other people simply brought out cans upon cans without a word. At the end of the hour, we had collected over sixty canned and nonperishable food items (and, weirdly, some candy bars). The next blessed volunteer showed up for their shift to find an already-full box to add to. Since then, I have volunteered for many more hours with many other volunteers. It's amazing to see the positive response from campus for the food drive and a great opportunity to spend time with friends or other MSA members. I'm collecting food So Others Might Eat but I'm collecting good deeds and good memories for myself, too. And so should you!

STAMP out Hunger By Hanifah Dasti Feeding the hungry is an integral part of the Islamic faith. For a Muslim to help feed one hungry individual, the reward is unimaginable. There are millions of starving people all over the world; even in America, there are „food insecure‟ individuals. You must be wondering how you can help and reap some of this reward yourself: The MSA and MWM are hosting their third annual STAMP Out Hunger food drive! Every year, MSA/MWM members collect nonperishable food and toiletries for two weeks (Monday-Thursday) to donate to a credible charity. This year the donated items are going to SOME (So Others Might Eat). This organization is not the average charity organization that offers food to people in poverty

A few sisters collecting goods for SOME.

then lets them leave. This organization is more of a developmental program which gives poor people leverage to get back on their feet and resume their roles as contributing members of society. It is imperative for MSA members, and the whole campus, to get involved in this event. This is an amazing daw’ah opportunity and a great opportu-

nity to get necessities to individuals who could not otherwise afford them. Another important reason everyone should get involved is to prove that our actions speak louder than words. The Muslim community does a lot, but boasts even more. Instead of boasting our accomplishments, we can do this for the sake of Allah. If people observe our sincerity, that is when (if Allah wills) any misunderstandings and/or stereotypes they may have held slowly begin to change. With that, I hope all of you help out! There are many opportunities for you to do so; there are sign-up sheets in the musallah or many different people you can contact who would love to welcome your help; all you need to do is ask.

News

Elections By Anonymous Many Muslims were filled with excitement for the debates, and political activism during the 2008 presidential election, when Barack Obama ran for President,. Fast-forward to the present and the amount of discussion about the upcoming November elections is negligible at best. This is unfortunate because these are the elections that affect us the most. Most roads are funded by our county or state, as are police departments, schools, universities (including this one), parks, many hospitals, and many other public services we use. While it is important to focus on who represents us in Congress or as president, Muslims and the rest of our communities need to be concerned about what goes on in the politics of our cit-

ies, counties, and states as well. Let‟s assume that, for some reason, Muslims are only responsible for participating in politics when it affects Muslims, which is untrue. Here is an example of how things can turn out badly for Muslims when they do not participate in the political process as a whole. The Texas State Board of Education, a board comprised of 15 elected officials, recently decided to adopt a resolution limiting the amount of references to Islam in textbooks that are used in the state‟s public schools. According to them, the textbooks had a pro-Islam and antiChristianity bias. It is common knowledge that people already aren‟t getting a holistic view of Islam as it is;

now all the students in the public education system of a whole state will be getting a view controlled by a board with very little knowledge of Islam. Remember, this is a prestigious university (yes, I know it‟s hard to believe) and we are all receiving a top -notch education in our respective fields. I know Muslims who are studying civil engineering, education, government and politics, public health, and many other related fields. Even if you haven‟t graduated yet, you know more about your field than most of the other people registered to vote in the upcoming elections. Having been blessed with knowledge that could greatly further society, it becomes all our responsibilities to take part in the upcoming elections.

Start a Love Train: Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear By Manaar Zuhurudeen On Saturday, October 30, 2010, I attended the Rally to Restore Sanity with a group of friends. I had planned on going simply because I appreciate Jon Stewart and his show, but as the 30th approached, I grew more excited and in-tune with the presumed purpose for the event: to combat the intense political and social irrationalism that has swept across our country and overpowered the voices of reason. The rally, like all things Jon Stewart, was a satirically liberal response to uber-conservative Glenn Beck‟s Restoring Honor gathering, and took place at the National Mall. Stewart‟s good friend and conservative counterpart Steven Colbert was also involved; his character a proponent of Keeping Fear Alive. The two had joined forces in September to produce the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, and announced it on

their respective TV shows. Special appearances during the 3-hour program were made by several big names, including Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, Ozzy Osbourne, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam). The program included musical performances, comedy routines, awards distributions, and an entertaining, honest face-off between Stewart‟s and Colbert‟s characters, during which they made cases for sanity versus fear. To many Muslims‟ delight, they explicitly mentioned Islamophobia and how the actions of a few individuals cannot speak for the values of over 1.6 billion believers. Stewart wrapped up the event with an eloquent 12-minute address. He admitted his purpose behind this event, stating, “Your presence is what I wanted,” and relayed a series of reminders to the crowd including, “we live

in hard times, not the end of times.” He also prompted Americans of the reality that we live in: even though the press blows everything out of proportion, and emphasizes our failures as cooperative people, “The truth is… We work together to get things done every damned day!” I loved being at the rally. It exceeded my expectations, and being among other sane, reasonable people provided an uplifting few hours of relief from the waves of media hate that suffocate us every day. One of my favorite moments of the rally was when Stewart, sparking roaring cheers and applause, potently told the 215,000 rally goers not to let the press and insanity take over, because “If we amplify everything, we hear nothing.” Hearing this statement alone made the crazy-long lines at the metro, standing on tippy-toes, and craning my neck for three hours well worth it.

Lifestyle & Spirituality

Krazi Kebob By Emaun Kashfipour Krazi Kebob, the new halaal restaurant in College Park located next to Potbelly and Marathon Deli, combined Indian, Pakistani, and Mexican cooking to create a cuisine unique to itself. It took very little time for Krazi Kebob to become a hotspot for Muslim students. The MSA has already held social events there and coordinated a fundraiser for Muslimat Al-Nisaa, a homeless shelter for Muslim women and children. Naumaan “Nomie” Hamid, Krazi Kebob‟s owner, used to be an operations manager at a Mexican restaurant. While working at one of these

Shown above: Mexican-Indian fusion chicken naan wrap

restaurants, he created a “chicken curry burrito” and made it a success. When he thought it was time to open his own restaurant, he decided to make the Indo-PakistaniMexican fusion the restaurant‟s main attraction. One of the most popular options on the menu is the naan wrap, which essentially a burrito is made with fresh-baked naan instead of tortilla bread. Hamid still maintained traditional Mexican foods on Krazi Kebob‟s menu for Muslim customers who haven‟t been able to try those options before.

The Most Beloved People to Allah: Hadith of the Month “The most beloved of people according to Allah is he who brings most benefit to people, and the most beloved of deeds according to Allah the Mighty, the Magnificent, is that you bring happiness to a fellow Muslim, or relieve him of distress, or pay off his debt or stave away hunger from him. It is more beloved to me that I walk with my brother Muslim in his time of need than I stay secluded in the mosque for a month. Whoever holds back his anger, Allah will cover his faults and whoever suppresses his fury while being able to execute it, Allah will fill his heart with satisfaction on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever walks with his brother Muslim in need until he establishes that for him, Allah will establish his feet firmly on the day when all feet shall slip. Indeed, bad character ruins deeds just as vinegar ruins honey.” [At-Tabarani, Classed as Hasan by Shaykh Al-Albani] Provided by Susan Shatila The Holy Qur’an—image taken by current MSA student

Spirituality/Lifestyle

Got Salams Anyone? By Susan Shatila The Prophet (Salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "the rights of a Muslim upon another are five: returning greetings, visiting the sick, following the funeral procession, responding to invitations and offering Tashmeet … [when one] sneezes" (Bukhari and Muslim). When it comes to doing good deeds, we often belittle small acts. Whether it‟s sharing a smile with someone or even removing a harmful object from one's path, we often overlook these minute acts which cause us to miss opportune moments that contain fruitful benefits and rewards. We‟ll discuss the first right mentioned above more in detail— returning greetings.

him states, “haste is from Shaytan.” (Authenticated by Al-Albani) Prophet Muhammad (Sallah Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "He who says, „Assalaamu Alaikum ‟ ten rewards are written down for him; he who adds, „…wa rahmatullah,‟ for him twenty rewards are written down; he who adds, „.. wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,‟ thirty rewards are written down for him" (Authenticated by Al-Albani). Think for a moment—30 rewards, for a few extra words? SubhanaAllah! Our beloved Prophet (Sallah Allahu alayhi wa sallam) also stated, “The closest to Allah, the Most Glorious…, from amongst all the people is the one who initiates salaam" (Imam Ahmad). What are the etiquettes of salaam? Regarding returning salaams, Allah clearly states in the ayah above to return a salaam equally or in a better manner, with preference shown to the latter—there is no option to ignore it.

him" (Authenticated by Al-Albani). This shows the seriousness of the salaam, especially before asking another a question or a favor. So next time you see a fellow Muslim on campus and you‟re greeted with a salaam—regardless through face to face contact or via cyber space—reply in the proper manner and give your Muslim brothers and sisters their right. As Prophet (Sallah Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "By the one in Whose Hand is my soul, you all will not enter into the Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love each other. Shall I not direct you to something that if you do it, you will love each other? Spread the greeting of peace amongst yourselves." (Sahih Muslim)

The MSA brothers giving Salam

Allah (Subhanhu Wa Ta„aalah) says, “When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or…return it equally.” [AlNisa‟ 4:86] Often times I find myself neglecting to do this—forgetting to return another‟s salaam or abbreviating my response when talking online— neglecting the greeting‟s full importance and significance. There is more reward in initiating/returning a salaam than we realize. We surrender it because of our carelessness or hastiness, two characteristics that Shaytan is skilled in bringing forth.; Our prophet peace be upon

Completing tasks together

Sisterhood amongst MSA members

Not only is one rewarded in initiating and returning salaams, but he may attain sin if he does not initiate or return a salaam. The Prophet (Sallah Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "[initiate] the salaam before a question. So whomever … asks you a question before saying salaam, do not answer

This I say first and foremost as a reminder to myself, and then as a reminder to my fellow brothers and sisters in Islam, as Allah commands, “Remind: Verily a reminder benefits the believers” (51:55). Anything good I have said is from Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta„aalah), and anything bad is from Shaytaan and myself.

Alumni

The Experience of a Lifetime – As told by Alumni By Adam Kareem Not everyone has had the good fortune to perform sacred rite so we at An-Nur figured, “why not ask those that have?” So we set out and found two special Alum that Allah had blessed with the chance to perform Hajj. We caught up Diaur Rahman (DR, c/o 2005) and Sami Zaharna (SZ, c/o 2009) and where their stories aren‟t inspiring, they show that even at Hajj one must continue to fight the good fight. Hajj may be a break from routine, but it‟s not a break from facing the challenges. When did you first go to Hajj? DR: My parents went to Hajj and I was on my mama's lap crying the whole time and such. [More recently it was in] 2006. SZ: Winter of 2005/2006. If you have also been on Umrah, how much different was it for you from going to Hajj? DR: Comparing Umrah to Hajj is like comparing your community pee-wee football team to the Oregon Ducks. In all seriousness, Umrah is more like a ritual whereas Hajj is more of a multi-layered journey.

SZ: [Growing up in Saudi Arabia] I have completed Umrah several times alhamdulillah. Umrah is a couple hour ordeal that is spiritually uplifting. However, Hajj is an experience that is like no other. Days of exhaustion and true servitude to God.

SZ: A beautiful experience. Advice for those who have yet to go?

Tweet! Can you describe Hajj in 140 characters or less?

DR: Make sure you pick a good and reputable travel agent, take a blanket because it‟s freezing cold at night; there are times when your patience will be tested by bus delays, obnoxious people who step on your toes, push, etc. [Just] keep in mind what you're there for. SZ: Do not react to ignorant people; you will lose your Hajj! Trust me! Allah tested me as soon as I put on ihram. [I] was waiting in line to pick up my boarding pass in the Riyadh airport with an ignorant fella. I was next in line and the dude just looks at the line and straight up walks to the counter, cutting everyone off. I told him "Ya akhee itaqee illah" (Bro, Fear Allah!") and he sort of looked at me unhappily and continued to cut everyone else in the line. Then I remembered that there is no argument in Hajj and tried to laugh it off.

DR: Often times, people get caught up in the physical rituals and don't stop to reflect on their deeper meaning. Do you have to be physically prepared? Yes. But the mental aspect is even more important.

Alhamdulilah, if I‟ve learned anything it‟s that Hajj is beautiful but people will still be people. Expect to be tested in more ways than the pilgrimage. May Allah swt reward our wonderful interviewees and Eid Mubarak!

What were your thoughts on your way over? How’d you feel on the flight back? SZ: …I was very worried I would do something that isn't in accordance with the Sunnah. I bought the books, attended the workshops and was really prepared. But certain things just pop up and it‟s really important to have someone knowledgeable accompany you. [On the way back] I felt like I just left Jannah leaving the gates of Makkah. Everything was dark and gloomy.

The Hajji Experience as captured by Diaur Rahman

Lifestyle

Time By Jamal Jeter Recently something great has come to my attention. I was awake at 3 am working on an assignment one night, and thought to myself, Subhana‟Allah, where has all the time gone? It seemed like just yesterday that I was a freshman with priorities that spanned in every direction. I wanted to join the club teams, all the students groups I could think of, work, and have time to spare. Alhamdulillah, in my final years here, I can say many of the things I desired were fulfilled by Allah (swt), but only after realizing one fundamental principal; time is only given once and we need to make the most of it. this time is for me to reflect and share my experiences with all the students, especially upcoming seniors, on the subject of time. There have been numerous lectures where all I‟ve heard again and again is “brothers and sisters, take advantage of your youth while you have it”. However, it never occurred to me how precious our youth really is. This summer, I realized that as I near

graduation, a whole new frontier of my life is about to open . Although this can possibly mean no more 3 am mornings working on assignments, it also means a whole new life style. In many cases, it means no more hanging with MSA brothers on a daily basis. it means fewer opportunities to join the club sports teams, or more importantly, to join that community service group. I have seen others fall far into the routine of a 9 to 5 job, until they have reached a point where they don‟t have time to do side community projects, or to be with their brothers and sisters. Why is this important? Because right now we have the opportunity to set definitions to our lives that insha‟Allah we can continue to perpetuate throughout our lifetime. this is now time where we can all ask ourselves what we are doing and who we are doing it for, and constantly remind ourselves this: Abdullah bin Abbas (Radi-alla-u-Anhu) reports that Rasulullah said ( ‫صلى هللا‬

“Abdullah bin Abbas (Radialla-u-Anhu) reports that Rasulullah said: “There are two bounties of Allah wherein most people are deceived: health and free time.” 10

)‫)عليه وسلم‬: “There are two bounties of Allah wherein most people are deceived: health and free time.” After much thought I realized that even the seemingly insignificant tasks we do can have the most meaning to them. Take, for example, time you spend with brothers or sisters, including non-Muslim friends. How can you make the most out of this time? This is can be critical time to reflect and renew your intentions, even if you‟re watching a movie, eating, or playing a game. Our lives truly are dawah in action, and being an example, learning from one another, and getting closer to one another for the sake of Allah (swt) is what being Muslim all is about. After considering this, I thought about how much time I waste watching TV, sitting around, or on the Internet. It made me think again that this is time I am truly never going to get back. I thought about how many times a week most of us call our parents, and even grandparents. It‟s true that sometimes we all get caught up in an assignment, followed by a test, and then by school. As time progresses, you find yourself caught up in your work, and one day, insha‟Allah, it may be your kids. before we know it, time has flown by and it may be too late to make that call. So in closing, what I have picked up in these four years is that life is about taking time to stop and smell the roses. Stop, look around you, and take heed of what Allah (swt) has placed around you, and where Allah (swt) has placed you. Then take the time to pause and renew your intentions before you do anything. You may come to find out that you have a bit more time to help your community, finish your paper, call your family, admire Allah‟s (swt) bounty, and realize that our time here is precious.

Spirituality/Lifestyle

This Thing Called Religious By: Omnia Joehar “Religious” What does it really mean? The dictionary defines it as, “imbued with or exhibiting religion.” In that case, aren't we all "religious"? However, we often attempt to attribute tangible evidence to assess someone’s

Outline of a few MSA sisters;

"religiousness,” and look towards his or her appearance. We attempt to create an archetype of someone “religious,” leading us to hunt for tangible evidence of his or her “religiousness”. For in-

stance, for a girl we look for her Hijab; for a male we look for his beard. These are examples of outwardly righteous acts that we should strive towards; however, by having such a myopic view of the term, we restrict the definition of "religious" specifically to those whom we determine fall into the archetype. Unfortunately, at the same time we ignore the inwardly, private actions we engage in on a day-today basis—the ones none but Allah and ourselves know. We limit the term religious to only refer to one’s appearance and instead disregard acts of sincerity, kindness, respect, or compassion as relating to "religiousness." Furthermore, this judgmental attitude that we have towards one another when using “religious” deteriorates the brotherhood and sisterhood we should have as Muslims. We are one Ummah—one family—striving towards one common goal. We refer to each other as brother and sister Subhan Allah! This word religious alone segregates us on the basis of our personal judgm e n t s Instead, when we see someone struggling, we turn the other way rather than help him/her. Take the story of Hasan and Husain. When they saw an old man performing Wudu incorrectly, they simply showed him the correct way through their own actions, rather than criticize him. This in itself is a lesson exemplifying how to approach others needing guidance. So often do we rush to condemn others and tell them to "put on a Hijab!" or "don't talk to girls!" We exclude the benefit of the doubt, and eliminate compassion in

our approach. One of our Muslim ancestor said:

“How sweet Iman is when it’s beautified with Knowledge. And how sweet knowledge is when it’s beautified with Implementation. And how sweet Implementation is when it’s beautified with Kindness.” “The greatest pair of things is implementation coupled with Kindness.” We need to remember that people commit their actions in Allah's presence alone. Who are we to even utter this term when it is Allah alone who determines the true believers? Only He can judge, for only He knows all, and we know nothing. To everyone else your true intentions, actions, and struggles are left undisclosed. Only after truly coming to this realization and accepting it will we broaden our minds and open our hearts enough to the entirety of Islam and what Allah teaches us to appreciate. “All humans are dead except those who have knowledge; and all those who have knowledge are asleep, except those who do good deeds; and those who do good deeds are deceived, except those who are sincere.” (Imam Shafi’). As an Ummah, we should use terms that harness unity rather than place strain on these bonds. They say, “if you don't know where you‟re going, any road will get you there.” I disagree. Islam is our map guiding us "there". May we strive to walk the path of Islam, filled with compassion, kindness, gentleness, and mercy, as brothers and sisters together.

Creative Writing

Mexico Makes Marks on One Muslim’s Heart By Omnia Joehar It was just the day before that I was walking on Maryland‟s campus, trying to make it to class on time, and I couldn‟t believe after a short plane taxi and bus ride, I was now walking in Mexico City. I felt grateful and appreciative to Allah (SWT) and Muslims Without Borders (MWB) for allowing me to participate in such an amazing opportunity. Upon my arrival in Mexico I witnessed a majestic and vibrant city, with tranquil and awe-inspiring country land engulfing the city and main location of the Orphanage. This peaceful image strongly contrasted with the tainted image commonly portrayed of Mexico City. I was hired by Muslims Without Borders as their Volunteer Abroad Coordinator and given the assignment of traveling to Mexico to create a study abroad program starting summer 2011 for Muslim college students at the Tashirat Orphanage. The orphanage is located in Tepotzlan, Mexico, about an hour and a half away from Mexico City. Beautiful scenery, mountains, trees, and blue skies surround the town. I arrived at the front entrance of the Orphanage around 1:00pm on Thursday Oct. 28. Little did I know the next two days at Tashirat would be heartening, inspirational, enriching, and humbling. The whole experience was overall surreal to me. Being in México allowed me to immerse myself in the culture and to practice my Spanish, which I found to be no less fluent after 7 years of study. Regardless of the language barrier, I immediately became close friends with the kids I met. The boys consisted of Josh, Julito, Attair, and Doven, and my special girls were Sherise, Cara, Liana, Ruby, Tania, and Aria. In just two days, they all found a special place in my heart. We all played football (soccer), ate Ciruella (an addicting indigenous

Mexican plum), talked, went to the market, and just lay under the sun, admiring the sky blanketed with stars at night. The most generous feeling was the incredible weather and the cool breeze that would occasionally pass by and remind me of Allah‟s (swt) all-encompassing mercy and how thankful I was to be there.

Images of Omnia with the children from the Orphanage, Tepotzlan, Mexico

“Subhana’allah, these children

are orphans with learning disabilities ,but not even once were their faces without a smile. “

Praying outside among the bountiful wildlife was the most peaceful experience for me. I woke up and slept every day — just awestruck from the beauty of Allah‟s creations. Subhana‟allah, only the All-Mighty could be capable of such beauty. From an Islamic perspective, this experience has truly taught me gratitude, appreciation, peace, and joy. Subhana‟allah, these children are orphans with learning disabilities, but not even once were their faces without a smile. In addition these children never complained of their circumstances, but instead were appreciative of all that was in front of them. It seemed the Tashirat community harbored a God-conscience, tranquil, cooperative community spirit that Muslims strive for, but unfortunately lack. I returned home with a heavy heart and a mind full of reflections and thoughts. I‟ve learned to put things in perspective, strengthen my Iman, and take part in my community (not just the Muslim community). I couldn‟t get off my mind that when I landed in Mexico, I saw a group of Jewish missionaries and Christian church groups arriving in Mexico to help - subhan‟allah where are we, the Muslims? The question of our presence and participation is the very question MWB intends to answer. Truthfully, words cannot accurately describe my experience in Mexico. There are no words that can encompass the beauty I witnessed, the friendships I made, and the lessons I learned. So this is why I urge all of you to apply for the Muslims Without Borders Study Abroad Programs being launched in Summer 2011 insha‟allah, where Muslims can share a remarkable experience like the one I‟ve had!

Creative Writing

Point of No Return: A Work of Fiction By Moustafa Mohamed I remember the day I was introduced to the Musallah by Abdullah during my first year at the university. I observed my surroundings carefully and was quick to realize that it was the old girl‟s locker room at Cole Field House. There was a rack full of shoes of those who had come to pray. We then walked further into the Musallah, passing CAIL and then a room that appeared to be a closet. We then got to the main room of the Musallah, divided by curtains striped in green, blue and gray. Yet there was an opening at the end of the hall. “What is beyond?”, I asked Abdullah. He smiled, and as if mockingly, replied “the point of no return”. Does he mean that there exists a place on earth that is independent of time and space? I really wanted to find out what was beyond the curtain. However, I faced a dilemma; it was against Musallah etiquette to move the curtains. All I could do was

study the phenomenon from my limited frame of reference. I took it upon myself to find out. I later found out that there were beings that inhabited this land of no return, and they were named “sisters”. I almost caught a glimpse of one of these fascinating species, yet, as I was observing, a brother ran to me and quickly told me to lower my gaze, and I quickly did as he said. From his suggestion, I assumed that these “sisters” had a defense mechanism that blinded any man who set his eyes upon them. Happy to have kept my eyesight but upset to have lost a key resource to study these interesting beings, I trekked on. One early morning, as I was cleaning the Musallah, my curiosity of what was beyond the curtain became too strong to bear. I made sure there were no sisters on the other side and armed myself with a bottle of Febreze and a vacuum cleaner. I threw on my

kufi and got myself in an Indiana Jones mood and pressed forward. As I walked towards the entrance, my blood rushed through my veins, every step I took felt like a step closer into a precarious unknown. I reached the entrance and carefully looked inside. It was a room that was designed almost like the other side of the Musallah, which gave me the conclusion that I was trudging into a parallel universe. I saw markings and posters on the wall, and discovered that the sisters, like us, communicate in English with the o c c a s i o n a l A r a b i c . With adrenaline still flowing through my veins as a result of my expedition, I ran to Abdullah and showed him what I found. To my dismay, he looked disappointed. “What‟s wrong?” I asked with great concern. “You‟re an idiot.”

The Blindness of Bigotry By Tara Mohammed

Tear drops Atop your hazed doorstop That holds open the gateways to your delusions. How can you perceive so visibly When the clarity you know is diluted with Unfiltered partialities that render your eyes blind? And how can you heed sound so clearly When you accuse falsely The falsehoods of faulty fights? And tell me… How you can live a true reality If you claim to have no obscure fallacies That complete and compete the phases of your truths. Now, now…

We both know you are being unfaithful to a faith That fulfills the fragments of the faithless Your bases have no stapes By which to turn vibrations into paces So… Enough with the fake faces Let us show face to the faces of the untamed races ButIf you only wish to build lies To lie upon the backs of your cries… Then cry. Because I can‟t bare delight in the dim lights of your forthright You stutter utterances muttered to deafened ears Prowling and howling for your next victim I‟m here.