For months, perhaps even for years, I had been composing in my mind the letter I was going to write to my daughter before she left for college. I wanted to fill it with wonderful memories and maternal wisdom, with practical advice and big doses of encouragement. I wanted to…
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I have a seven-year old son with autism, a five-year old with exciting dreams, and a two-year old whose entire world revolves around me. And they’re all really cute, masha’Allah. In fact, they’re gorgeous, insane, challenging, and sweet. My five year old said to me the other day, “Momma, your…
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The hardest part about coming out has got to be coming up with a good opening line. I haven’t got one though. So I’ll give it to you straight. I’m not gay, but I could be dying. As fas I know, not imminently though. I’ve known for years now that…
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altMuslimah editors take a moment to talk about the important father figures in their lives.
What brings comfort to my heart as a mother? I long for the day when my kids want for themselves what I want for them – pure hearts, faith, health, open minds, great character and the drive to succeed. Many of these things come through the guidance and opportunities we give as parents. Unfortunately, often times the inequality of opportunities creates unequal results. One of the reasons I started Connecther is to find like-minded women who share these passions and to support the amazing work they are doing to create opportunities in their communities.
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Giving birth is, in so many ways, an act of faith. It involves a kind of radical trust in our bodies that I equate with tawakkul, trust in Allah, the One who made our bodies. For me, being a doula is also an act of faith. A doula is someone who supports and comforts a mother in childbirth, building a relationship with her over the weeks leading up to the delivery and sometimes continuing to support a new mother in the weeks that follow.
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<< From the Altmuslimah archives >> “Mommy, why are the women in the back?” my daughter asked me when she was just three years old. I wasn’t prepared for this. The truth is I had been hoping that she wouldn’t ask me because I wasn’t convinced that the women should be behind the men during prayer. I also knew that it wasn’t a requirement for congregational prayer. I felt conflicted because I wanted my beautiful, brilliant little girl to come to love prayer and praying in congregation.
Read More<< From the AltMuslimah Archives >> When she was five, my niece was adamant that she wanted to celebrate Christmas. While her mother bemoaned the prevalence of Santa in the local mall and the carols her daughter learned in preschool, I understood the little girl’s innocent fascination with the holiday. With its sheer materialism, gaudiness, glitz and ceremony, not to mention the feel good TV specials, our Eid simply can’t compare with Christmas— maybe Eid celebrations in Middle Eastern or South East Asian countries would stand a chance, but certainly not our small Eid festivities in the American suburbs.
Read MoreI don’t celebrate Christmas. I never have and I’m fairly sure I never will. Growing up in Ottawa in the ’80s, my Christmas celebrating friends would often be shocked that December 25th was just another morning for me where I would sleep in and then go downstairs and watch cartoons with a bowl of cereal. I never felt like I was missing out though. I grew up being taught that Christmas just wasn’t a part of our Muslim traditions.
Read MoreWhen we met each other three years ago over french-fries at a classy late night McDonald’s hangout, we had no idea we would be embarking together on a humble but hopeful journey to create a safe space for survivors of sexual violence. Motivated by our own personal traumas and the similar experiences of many of our friends, we decided that shaking out heads in dismay at horrifying news articles wasn’t enough. We wanted to start a larger conversation.
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