Yesterday, I went to see my school in Fairfax, and on our way to DC, we stopped at the Dar Al Hijrah Masjid for Duhr. After we prayed, we stayed outside the masjid waiting for our car to cool down under the shade since it was really hot.
One lady came by us and she was holding these perfumes and things to sell. She then asked us where we were from and we said Morocco. She told us she was from Syria and she came here to stay with her daughter after her house, her car and whole town were destroyed. She said she saw 4 people being beheaded in front of her eyes. She said was a doctor, but now she just sells things in front of the Masjid because her own son in law doesn’t want her in his house anymore.
After saying all of that, she said alhamdu li Allah, and she smiled and pulled me into her arms while making du’a for all of us.

That’s just one Syrian. One of many that are homeless, jobless, and devastated. May Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala ease their pain and help them through these hard times. May Allah destroy Bashar and his supporters.

Why are some people so passionately mean?

Dear America;

During times of national crises where, unfortunately, the person who has committed the crime just so happens to be a Muslim like myself, I have felt an unbearable amount of discrimination coming from the public, whether it be from the media coverage and stereotyping of all Muslims or from the people I meet.

Immediately after hearing of the Boston Bombing, all I, and many of my Muslim friends and family members, could think of was ‘Ya Allah, please don’t let this be a Muslim’. Although the leading factor to the bombing has not been determined yet, just knowing that the criminal is a Muslim has put a lot of stress on me. It’s truly unfortunate that a person’s criminal acts can be so blatantly blamed on their faith by the people around them.

Through this tragic event, I have not only felt sorrow and grief for those who lost their lives so innocently, but I have also felt, and continue, to feel hurt by the ignorant comments and misconceptions that I hear coming out of people’s mouths, and most importantly, people that I have always looked up to. Despite this hurt feeling, I always try to stay positive and try my best to display an even better image of a Muslim than I have done before this tragedy. The discrimination that I have dealt with ever since the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center up to this very day has led me to be determined to be as humble and peaceful as possible, not for the sake of being judged, rather for the sake of representing my faith in a better way than it is has been displayed by the so-called-Muslims who use quotes from the Qur’an out of context to justify their horrible crimes. I try my best not to respond to most of the comments I hear because I know that it will only be a waste of time and could possibly lead to bigger conflict that I am not willing to put myself through. After all, I feel that actually doing something to counteract the situation is much better than heated arguments over something that I know will only bring me sorrow. I remain active in trying to display a stereotype-free, misconception-ridden image of what a Muslim can be. Assalamu ‘aalaykum—it only means peace be unto you.

Alhamdu li Allah that Allah trials and punishes us in this dunya for our misdeeds. It’s one of the biggest blessings of being a Muslim. We have the chance to contemplate on our deeds, and we have the chance to seek forgiveness.

Subhana Allah, sometimes the closest people to you tend to hurt you the most. Allahu Almusta’aan!

Once I start reading or listening to Surat Yusuf, I can’t stop! It’s such a beautiful surah.

Made some banana bread! What a perfect way to start off break, alhamdu li Allah :)

Th fact that I got accepted to George Mason is totally worth this 10 hours worth of textbook homework!

Dead Birds.

The other day I was walking back home from school and I saw a bird just laying there on the pavement. I picked it up and put it in the grass next to this light post so that someone won’t step on it. On my way home, my mind drifted to 5 summers go in Safi, Morocco.

I was walking back home with my cousin Saliha after running some arrands for mama. She saw this small bird laying on the road. She stopped me and  told me to dig a small hole in the dirt while she went to pick it up. We put our bags on the ground, buried the bird, and read Surat AlFatiha on him.

I still remember exactly where we buried it. I miss those days and I miss her.

The sweet taste of tea is one of those fascinating little things in life; alhamdu li Allah.

When mama has a ‘gut feeling’ about something, it’s hard to go against her feeling ‘cause I know she’s always right. Subhana Allah!

Nothing like enjoying a cup of atay. Alhamdu li Allah :)

They say that everyone has a talent. It’s true; I observe it all around me, but often times I wonder what I’m good at. In all honesty, what is my talent?

My friend got her acceptance letter from George Mason University, and I’m kinda scared because I haven’t heard from them yet. Ya Allah, in sha’ Allah khaire!