\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/523669496?et=x0Pq1hOuSIl-dA6IVu8gcw&viewMoreLink=off&sig=3RK5eMBQHjKqhdbaRPS70I7DxiEM_qGa6u2O8yJfTKc=&caption=true<\/a><\/div>\nSeveral years ago, before I began working as a substitute teacher, I saw an ad for an Administrative Assistant who was experienced with social media. \u00a0I was looking for a part-time job a few days a week, and this job seemed to be a good fit. \u00a0I had experienced with MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. \u00a0I also had been writing here for about 6 months at that time. \u00a0I thought I was fairly adapt at what I was doing and thought I\u2019d be right for the job.<\/p>\n
Since I had been out of the work force for 10 years, I proceeded to update my resume. \u00a0While I was doing so, I asked if I should add my experience online writing here at My Islamic Life and being a small business owner through Etsy, selling religiously minded items.<\/p>\n
I was told No.<\/p>\n
I mentioned that the job I was applying for specified that I be social media savvy and this experience was directly applicable to the job requirements. \u00a0I pushed further and was told not to list my blog or shop specifically because they are Islamically focused. \u00a0I should find another way to list my experience without opening myself to the potential discrimination.<\/p>\n
Since I opened my Etsy\u00a0shop and began writing, when people ask me what I do, I tell them I\u2019m a Stay At Home Mom (even when I was working far more than keeping my family) or I tell them I\u2019m a Substitute Teacher (even though I work as a sub to support my little business.) \u00a0I rarely even mention my business. \u00a0Even when I tell people, I downplay my mission of making devotional jewelry. \u00a0I push forth The Wudu Cling because it is easier, less personal, and simpler to explain.<\/p>\n
When I started getting orders for non-religious jewelry from my friends and family members, I thought to open a separate Etsy shop so they would feel more comfortable ordering from me. \u00a0I thought I\u2019d reach more people and I\u2019d be able to create more pieces of non-religious jewelry. \u00a0The one time I participated in a craft fair, it was at the secular school where I work and I chose to use my VianneFere storefront to present my work. \u00a0I thought I\u2019d be more approachable if people didn\u2019t associate me with Islam.<\/p>\n
Why?<\/p>\n
I think it stems from being told to shelter myself from the potential backlash. \u00a0The clear message was to hide your affiliation, don\u2019t let people know.<\/p>\n
The problem with hiding my affiliation to Islam is that I am not reaching potential customers by hiding. \u00a0I am not reaching people who are in need of what I have to offer because I\u2019m afraid to reach out to them. \u00a0By hiding, I am not reaching those women who, like me, have been told to hide their association with Islam but are in need of a support group who share their same experience.<\/p>\n
Over the last several months, I have had the opportunity to become affiliated with an Origami Owl Hostess. \u00a0She sought me out because she heard about my custom stamped jewelry. \u00a0The women attending her Owl parties were asking her for personalized plates and charms. \u00a0Since then, I\u2019ve added 4 sizes of stamped plates specifically designed to fit inside the Origami Owl Living Lockets to my My Islamic Life Shop on Etsy. \u00a0When I did my initial trial pieces, I used Arabic names, phrases and symbols that would be attributed to Islam. \u00a0Since then I\u2019ve had many customers place orders. \u00a0Not one of the orders have been religious in nature.<\/strong><\/p>\nLast week, two co-workers asked me about my jewelry and wanted my business card so they could see my work and possibly commission an order. \u00a0I considered this request carefully and had to make a conscious decision about what business card I would give them. \u00a0I have the VianneFere shop still open and I carry business cards for that shop in my bag right next to the My Islamic Life cards. \u00a0My Islamic Life is my main focus, but would I lose these potential customers if I gave them one business card over the other?<\/p>\n
When my co-worker started asking questions about the necklace design, and what was possible to create, I casually mentioned that if she wanted me to stamp a cross on her family charms, I would be happy to make that part of her design. \u00a0Or, if she wanted me to stamp a Bible verse (because I know she\u2019s particularly religious and I\u2019ve answered questions for her about Islam before) it would be okay.<\/p>\n
She laughed a little and said, \u201cDo you realize that your voice drops when you mention anything about religion?\u201d<\/p>\n
No, I didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
I feel like I\u2019m straddling the threshold of the closet door in any setting. \u00a0When I\u2019m inside the Muslim Community, I can talk about the need for a support system for the non-Muslim spouse\/parent in family, and I can talk about reaching out to answer questions that non-Muslims have about Middle American Muslims. \u00a0But I\u2019m not truly accepted as a part of the American Muslim life because I don\u2019t pray like a Muslim. \u00a0When I\u2019m in an environment where I don\u2019t know how I\u2019ll be received, I\u2019m inside the closet with my pinky toe peeking out. \u00a0I\u2019m not afraid of people finding out that my family is Muslim, but I\u2019m not outwardly identifiable. \u00a0Maybe this has more to do with my not knowing where I am in my religious journey, I have no clearly defined religion, so I have a problem taking ownership of something I\u2019m not sure I have a share in.<\/p>\n
How do I get from where I am to where I need to be? \u00a0How do I get out of my own way?<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0 Embed from Getty Images \/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/523669496?et=x0Pq1hOuSIl-dA6IVu8gcw&viewMoreLink=off&sig=3RK5eMBQHjKqhdbaRPS70I7DxiEM_qGa6u2O8yJfTKc=&caption=true Several years ago, before I began working as a substitute teacher, I saw an ad for an Administrative Assistant who was experienced with social media. \u00a0I was looking for a part-time job a few days a week, and this job seemed to be a good fit. \u00a0I had experienced […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2860,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4,19,5,6],"tags":[24,31,53,94,132,138,145,182,213,217,232,239,262],"class_list":["post-1363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog-posts","category-in-the-house","category-jewelry","category-on-etsy","category-personal","tag-acceptance","tag-american-muslim","tag-children","tag-family","tag-human-rights","tag-interfaith","tag-islamic-life","tag-non-muslim","tag-religion","tag-religious-jewelry","tag-small-business-owner","tag-stay-at-home-mom","tag-wudu"],"yoast_head":"\n
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