The airport was packed with people. I think it was July 4th weekend because I remember people were in shorts and it was mad hot outside. A group of children sat in the seats near me. It looked like they were sharing a bag of potato chips. The oldest looking boy was hogging the bag. I figured they were going on vacation because they looked far too excited to be returning home. I sat in the corner on the floor... Read more
He came here full of hope. It was 1981 and he was a twenty four year old graduate student sent from his home country of Sudan. He was told to make his country proud so he packed his belongings along with his dreams for a better life. The ultimate dream of any person living in a poor country. He was starting a new life in America. A land of endless opportunity and a place where anyone could make it. My mom... Read more
Recently I was having one of those days. You know the ones when you’re really feelin’ yourself. Outfit was on point, weather was nice and I had a fly cheetah print hijab on. Not only that but it was Friday so I was in a really good mood. There was nothing more I could ask for. My red car glistened in the sun as I drove down Stony Island Avenue. In my Ice Cube voice “It was a good day.”... Read more
As y’all know I am all for women being independent and free thinkers. But… There are certain things that you just DON’T say to your man. You can still be a sistaqueen and reign that throne but a smart woman knows how to treat her man right. Likewise a smart man knows how to treat his woman right. Recently, I witnessed a woman talking to her man in the most disrespectful manner. I cringed as I heard her put him... Read more
V-day Mubarak to you! Another year of love, sacrifice and the mushy gushies has sneaked upon us. Love is in the air and I am such a softee during this time of the year. I suppose I am a hopeless romantic at times. Muslims love to be the first to vocalize their disdain for non-Muslim “American” holidays. We see it all over Facebook and Twitter. Personally, I think it goes slightly overboard. I would be very offended if non-Muslims had... Read more
He had no shame. I think that made the situation worse. He said it so nonchalantly like it was normal practice. I asked him the question I have asked most brothers I am interested in. “Have you been in any relationships outside of your previous marriage?” He looked at me and nodded. Sadly, it didn’t surprise me because this seemed to be the reality for a majority of brothers my friends and I encountered. Brothers who acted a hot stakin’... Read more
She sat across from me crying into her hands. I rubbed her back trying to console her. The more I rubbed the longer her sobs became. “I juu-usst need to be patient.” Her eyeliner was starting to smear. She needed support. She needed a friend, not someone to scold her and ask why she stuck around so long with a man who was abusive, even while they were courting. She ignored the signs. Her silence gave him the idea that... Read more
Recently, I did a matrimonial singles mixer at ISNA’s (Islamic Society of North America) annual conference in Washington, DC. Besides it being a complete disaster (due to the consistent lack of diversity) I had fun for the most part bettering my interpersonal skills (notice a sista is being all positive and shit). I’ll be the first to admit they are awkward and nerve wracking. You’ll have that butterfly feeling in the pit of your stomach the entire time but believe... Read more
My grandmother didn’t have to see the world. My mother placed it at her feet with two foreign looking Muslim grandchildren. She had strong Christian values yet once my mother converted to Islam she stopped cooking pork and carpooled us back and forth to Quran classes. She hated to travel but that was perfectly fine with her because my mother did enough traveling for the both of them. My mother would beg and plead for her to come with us... Read more
Imagine this scenario: It’s morning rush hour and you are waiting on the platform for the express train. Train pulls up and the doors spring wide open. The train is packed, as usual, with folks drinking their morning coffee and bopping away to music on their iPods. You grab hold of the bar and rest your back on the door. Just another morning… Midst being lost in your thoughts and everything you have to do you look up and notice... Read more
MUSLIMNLOVE
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In