EDITOR’ S ADDRESS

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to the truth and advised each other to patience.

Recited at the start and end of my very first council meeting as part of the MSA, this Surah is meant to renew our intentions by reminding us of the impermanence of this life and redirect our focus to performing actions that would benefit us in the hereafter. It was my first exposure to the community that would surround me for the following months - a community built on trust, understanding and guidance. Soon after, my community grew with The Muslim Voice - a platform built on exploring new avenues, working hard (harder than most of us thought) and achieving our creative goals through the magazine, podcast, online blog and spoken word nights. Ephemeral is meant to signify the transitory nature of time - time we can never get back. But it’s also meant to signify the legacy that the relationships developed within this time have on our future. Oftentimes, in the midst of our worldly affairs - specifically balancing exams, work, family and extracurriculars - we temporarily lose sight of the fleeting nature of the world. However, Ephemeral displays that with every night comes dawn, and with every hardship comes ease.

An analogy that helps me reconcile with the Ephemerality of this life is comparing this world to a virtual reality game. As we put on the goggles and start the game, we are cognizant of the fact that we’re entering a virtual reality that we’ll eventually have to step out of. The goggles place a barrier to this world - representing the material things that often disguise our goals for the hereafter. We are capable of removing these goggles at any time and re-entering reality, and even more so provided multiple reminders to do so - ranging from our mom calling us to dinner to the adhan calling us to prayer. The only thing we’re not in control of is when the battery dies out, forcing us to take off our glasses and step back into the reality of this life. This is similar to the multiple opportunities we’re provided to come back to our deen in this life before we meet Allah (swt).

Enfolded within the pages of this magazine are stories that help us reconcile, remember and reflect on the Ephemerality of this world. From the shifting meanings we attach to places, and the beauty of prayer to the very real Islamophobic attacks against Muslims globally, this magazine explores it all with a deeper focus on growing our inner spirituality and peace.

To The Muslim Voice team, I would like to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your tireless efforts in bringing this issue to life. From conception to print, you have poured your heart and soul into Ephemeral and your unwavering commitment to excellence is evident throughout every page of this magazine.

To the readers, I would like to thank you for your continued support and feedback. We hope you enjoy reading this issue, as much as we enjoyed creating it. As you read through, I hope you reflect on how the ephemeral moments of your life define your future - in this life and the next.

With love,

Eesha Fahad Editor-in-Chief