On April 17, 2020, as my mother calls me incessantly to come have lunch with her during work hours, I shake my head in disbelief. Just six weeks ago, I was certain I would never hear her say my name again. I have two very vivid memories of my mother’s sickness, beginning fall of 2019. … Continue reading A litany of loss and gain
A Memento
A few years ago, my uncle and I spent hours at the Library of Congress looking for a book written by my late grandfather while he was a professor of Islamic history in Karachi. The book was listed in the library’s enormous archives, but we couldn’t find it that day. I forget the reason the … Continue reading A Memento
The Soundtrack of Loss
Spiegel im Spiegel, which I discovered this year while rummaging through a stranger’s Spotify playlist, has changed everything I thought I knew about the power of music. Spiegel im Spiegel is a 10-minute violin and piano composition created in 1978 by reclusive Estonian musician Arvo Pärt, who is famous for his minimalist style of music. "Spiegel … Continue reading The Soundtrack of Loss
An August Birthday
Today, we celebrated my dad’s birthday for the first time. You see, my dad has never known which day he was born on. Like many of his generation born in India, he doesn't have a birth record, and the first time his birth date was officially recorded was years later in his school register. The … Continue reading An August Birthday
Escaping Pakistani persecution, an Ahmadi activist finds refuge — and purpose — in US
An abridged version of this article was published by Religion News Service. Ehsan Rehan had never imagined he would end up in Washington, D.C. When he left Pakistan for the last time in 2012, his final destination – by way of New York – was Canada, where the 22-year old asylum seeker had a support network … Continue reading Escaping Pakistani persecution, an Ahmadi activist finds refuge — and purpose — in US
A New Path for American Mosques
Previously published on Patheos AltMuslim. On this rainy Friday afternoon, more than 200 men and women fill the banquet hall of Dunya Restaurant in Alexandria, Va. They sit cross-legged on colorful plastic prayer mats on the carpet, listening intently to a speaker at the podium. A dark-haired man in a crisp suit and tie speaks … Continue reading A New Path for American Mosques
Pakistani, Female, and Living Alone in America
--Published in Dawn-- Often unable to find personal and professional independence back home, more single Pakistani women are choosing to make their home in the West – alone. For Asnia Asim, who grew up on army bases across Pakistan, moving to Washington was a no-brainer. It wasn’t the first time she would be away from home in Islamabad. … Continue reading Pakistani, Female, and Living Alone in America
The Three Trillion Train
The first thing I noticed about the apartment was its three large windows. The second was the neon display at the deserted gun store outside the windows. As the landlord carried on, I stared at the sign until the train arrived. Faint at first, then loud, it blared past the trees partially blocking the view … Continue reading The Three Trillion Train
After scoring big at home, aspiring astronaut gets a chance to pursue her dream abroad
To 16-year old Aiman Fatima, self-motivation came at a young age. She remembers when she was about 11, and came in fifth in her final exams at school. Her scores were above average, but Aiman was crushed. She vowed that day to top her class next year, and began studying harder. Fast forward a few … Continue reading After scoring big at home, aspiring astronaut gets a chance to pursue her dream abroad
Sikh Americans’ best weapon to fight discrimination: A faith rooted in equality
In the spacious, sun-lit prayer hall of the Gurdwara Sahib of Rockville, Md., a teenager practices tabla with a bearded man in a blue turban and crisp white Kurta. In one corner, a woman sits surrounded by pre-schoolers, their heads covered with colorful scarves and little turbans. She switches between fluent English and Punjabi, asking them to repeat … Continue reading Sikh Americans’ best weapon to fight discrimination: A faith rooted in equality
Amar Bail 