Middle School- 8th Grade
1. What inspired you to make Circle of Hands? How has working with the organization changed your life?
I was passionate about telling people that true Islam is respectful of differences between people and is a religion of compassion. Many times the media distorts the truth for sensationalism. Circle of Hands has provided myself and many other Muslims a platform to do just that!
Working with Circle of Hands has brought more meaning into my life. I enjoy being a physician, a wife and a mother but now with my interfaith work I feel I am filling in a much needed void in my community.
2. What challenges have you faced while trying to accomplish your mission?
Time is a valuable commodity in America because we all work very hard. I guess my biggest challenge has been to find the extra hours in the day to fulfill this wonderful mission of bringing the East and West closer. Thanks to the support of my family its has not been too hard.
3. Have you ever come across people in America or else where who do not support your efforts? How have you overcome it if you have?
Most people have been extraordinarily supportive of our efforts and works. Circle of Hands is at present a regional organization but I do hope to see it grow all over the country.
4. How has your religious back ground affected your life in America?
America is a wonderful nation where everyone can practise their own beliefs without other people's interference. There have been times since 9/11/01 when I have felt voice-less with the media's negative coverage about Islam and Muslims. Now with Circle of Hands I have found my voice and I feel I can answer questions that arise regarding the East and Islam in particular.
5. What is challenging about being a Muslim woman in America?
I am a very happy American Muslim woman and I love living in the US. I can practise my religion to its fullest without feeling restricted. During the month of Ramadan(when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset) it is somewhat a challenge for all Muslims who fast and work or go to school. I must admit its difficult but the rewards are worth it for a Muslim.
Some of my women friends who wear the Hijab (cover their hair with a scarf) have told me that on occasion they feel scrutinized for dressing differently than others. I feel we need to learn and understand our differences and respect them. This is what makes us a better and stronger nation.
6. How has your faith and background affected your life?
This is an excellent question. Growing up I have lived in six countries spread across 3 different continents before I turned 26. The people and experiences I have come across have left a strong impression on me. I am in the process of writing a memoir about my faith and travels.
7. Have you ever visited Muslim countries in the Middle East or North Africa? How is life different there?
Unfortunately I have never visited any country in North Africa. I have read many wonderful books that delve into the Egyptian culture and way of life. I would also love to visit Morocco some day!
I have lived in Saudi Arabia for many years. Actually my most formative years were spent in Saudi Arabia. We lived in Riyadh which is also the capital of the country. It is located in the 'Empty Quarter' a desert where for centuries only the Bedouins had survived. The landscape was arid and almost nothing grew. The Bedouins survived on camel milk, camel and lamb meat and lived in camel hair tents.
Now with the boom of oil riches in Saudi Arabia it has high ways and high rises just like the ones in the US. The Saudi culture is the most closed society in the Muslim world because of their tribal values where a lot still needs to be done for women's emancipation.
I spent my time in an English school in Riyadh and lived comfortably with my parents. I really didn't miss movie theaters, or not being able to drive while living in that country probably because I was too young. Now if I had to live there indefinitely I think it would be a major re-adjustment for me. There are many Americans and westerners who do live in Riyadh and have done so for many years.
I have read a lot about the Jordanian society and I think it to be open and fun, welcoming tourists from every where. Queen Noor and now Queen Rania are both forward looking women who are very involved with the different issues of Jordon specially related to women.
8. Has American/Western culture ever made it hard for you to express yourself or your beliefs? Has your faith in Islam ever made it hard for you to express yourself or your beliefs?No I almost never find it difficult to express my beliefs. I am an honest person and I do love being a Muslim woman. I try to express what I have witnessed and the life I have lived with my faith. Some may not agree with me but I understand that people will always have differences of opinion and that's O.K with me. In a civilized society we learn to express our differences without hurting one another!
9. What are some of the important things that need to be accomplished before the East and the West can fully accept each other? How long do you think it will take?
I think it will take special people like all of you and President Obama to create harmony and respect between the East and the West. I think what you and I can begin by doing are some of the following things:
- Acknowledge that people are different but that does not make them bad or more inferior than us
-Make an effort to get to know your Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Christian acquaintances
-Media loves sensationalism but we should always try to get at the truth of the story
-Get involved in learning what policies the US is implementing internationally and ask yourself if you agree with them
I wish I had an answer to when the East and West will have better relations. I think perhaps President Obama has turned the tide a bit towards a better understanding with his international trip this week. The real change will come from minds like yours who question, and then seek a better understanding. You are the true leaders and hope of tomorrow!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful answers. As a student at Saint Anne's it is a great preview before seeing you tomorrow. I look forward to it.
ReplyDeleteYour visit to St. Anne's has taught me about the Cicle of Hands and its mission. I have learned more about the dicrimination against Muslims and how it mostly revolves around the lie told by the non-muslim terrorist who attacked the buidlings. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBrittany
Thank you very much for your presentation at St.Annes it was very imformative for me. I learned that one of the main reasons muslims are thought of as "bad" is because of 9/11 and the false accusations faced towards muslims. However, i still have one question for you. What are some hardships that you face as being a muslim woman?
ReplyDeleteThanks again,
Morgan
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ReplyDeleteThank you for coming to our school. You are a great public speaker. I still have one question for you. What was the most interesting thing about Pakastan?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Casey
I enjoyed you coming to talk at Saint Anne’s. I also enjoyed the pictures that you passed around the class. I think it is really cool that we get to learn about religions around the world and learn how similar and different they are from each other. Thanks again for talking at Saint Anne’s. I have a question, has 9/11 kept you wanting to make the east and west come closer or is it because of another reason? If so, what is that reason?
ReplyDeleteNick
Thank you for coming to St. Anne's. I enjoyed the presentation very much and I learned a lot about what it is like to be Muslim. I have one question; is achieving your mission going well? I hope Circle of Hands is very successful.
ReplyDeleteThanks again,
Mary-Claire
This is Katherine (the brunette that stood up in the beginig and also asked about the picture) I truely had a great time listening to your organzations ideas and goals. every one of my questions were answered and i learned alot! Thank you very much and i hope your organization spreads worldwide.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to visit our school and answer our questions. Your honest answers were very insightful and added a new perspective to what we have previously learned. I hope that Circle of Hands continues its success.
ReplyDeleteThanks again,
Bridgette
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ReplyDeleteYour organization is a great cause, and the fact that you work for emancipation of oppressed peoples is awe-inspiring. Before 7th grade at St. Anne's, I was homeschooled and did not pay attention to what was happening around me. Your organization and St. Anne's helped me learn about what is current in today's society. I hope your organization prospers and becomes what you aspire it to be.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Philip Fenimore
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to bring the message of your organization to Saint Anne's. The answers that you gave for all of our questions were informative. Also, the pictures and the album that you sent around were a nice glimpse of Muslim culture. I learned many things during your time at Saint Anne's. I'm sure that your coming has had as a profound effect on others and it had on me.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for your time,
Annie
Thank you very much for visiting St. Anne's. Your talks gave me a whole new perspective on the life and untrue stereo types that Muslim people face. As a follow up question: Because the media has been one of the largest spreaders of stereo types what are the ways you can influence news casters and help them write exciting but true articles about Islam? -jaime
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking time out of your day to come to St. Anne's and inform the student body on Circle of Hands and its mission. Your presentations have taught me a lot on why Muslims are accused for many different stereotypes and how the stereotypes are often time incorrect because Muslims are very simular to Americans. I wish other people could understand this! But to follow up on your speeches, i have one more question for you; Do you plan to make this orginization world wide, or do you plan to inform only Americans on the tension between the Middle East and the Westerner society?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Riley
I would like to thank you so much for coming to our school and speaking about your mission. I think it is great that you are trying to bring the two very diverse parts of the world together (east and west). Even though i did not ask you a question during the 8th grade session, you really informed me about everything you do and your culture. I have one last question though is the main reason you started Circle of Hands mainly because of 9/11 or the rejection you got from some of your patients? I got this question from your articles you wrote.
ReplyDeleteHunter
Thank you so much for coming to our school and sharing your mission with us. I really enjoyed listening to you speak with us and being able to ask questions. You gave me a new perspective on life. I have one more question to ask;Has this journey with circle of hands changed your perspective on any other groups of people from different ethnicities?
ReplyDeleteThank you
Meg
Thank you for coming to visit Saint Anne's and inform us about Muslim culture. You informed me that the discriminations against Muslims are because of false accusations. I still have one question, what is your favorite part about being a Muslim woman?
ReplyDelete-Madi.
First of all I would like to thank Saint Anne's faculty and students for their invitation to COH to address the Middle School body at assembly!
ReplyDelete1.Morgan's question
What are the difficulties you face being a Muslim woman?
I have never been negatively targeted as a Muslim woman. Sometimes I do feel that I am re-interpreting some beliefs that a few Muslim aquaintances may have about a woman's right in the 21st century. For example since many Muslin women are now socio-economically independent and educated they should have equal right to those of men. 1500 hundred years ago in Arabia women were unwordly and totally dependent on their men folk. Times have changed and with it certain laws related to women pertainig to equal inheritence and equal acceptence as an expert witness in court makes good sense.
2.Casey's question
What was the most interesting thing about Pakistan?
Life in Pakistan is more relaxed than in America. Most homes have several paid helpers who make life so much easier.The weather is more temperate though you can argue the summers are far too hot...
3.Nick's question
Is 9/11 the only reason for wanting to improve understanding between the East and the West or are there other reasons for bringing them closer?
No I think the damage that 9/11 wreaked and the media's portrayal of all Muslims as terrorist were the main reasons I wanted to be involved in presenting a truer picture.
4.Mary-Claire asked
Is your mission going well?
Yes I beleive it is gonig well. We have addressed three schools in the last 5 months.
We will be participating in an interfaith dialogue at the a Quaker's friendship meeting on April 25th.
Please do contact me if you know any more schools that might be interested in learning about Muslim people and countries.
5.Jamie's question
How can you influence newscasters to write accurate and true accounts about issues related to Muslims?
Excellent question Jamie!
More young Muslim men and women are choosing journalism as a career. This will allow the Muslim people in the US have a better representation in the media.
Wonderful American journalists like Mr.Gary Soulsman who frequently writes and interviews Muslims in the community needs to be commended for his work!
6.Riley's question
Do you intend to take Circle of Hands and make it an international organization or do you only want to improve understanding here in the US?
Well if someone wanted to make an international chapter say in an European country, or even in another state within the US,we would do all to help them and guide them!
7.Hunter's question
Did you think about making COH because of 9/11 or the rejection you experienced from your patient you wrote about in your article?
Actually I can't say whether that elderly patient didn't want to see me as a patient because I was not white or perhaps because she had some idea that I maybe a Muslim? I never asked her but I and my staff felt it was because I was 'different'.
8.Meg's outstanding question
In your journey with COH, has it allowed you to learn and understand some ethnicities better?
Absolutely!I beleive that the wisest of us are always learning new things. I have learnt that most Christians are not afraid to invite other religions to come and talk about their faiths. This shows acceptence of differences and a willingness to learn about other people. All religions should follow their example and many do.
9.Madi's question
What is your favorite part about being a Muslim woman?
As a Muslim woman I am entitled to all my husband's earnings and he is not entitled to mine! My children are ordered by Allah to care for me specially in my old age and if they do this He will make heaven closer for them. If by some terrible fate a Muslim women is widowed and has a family to support- Allah has ordered her men kin to protect her and care for her children if she cannot.