Umm Zakiyyah's Blog, page 22
January 22, 2015
His Other Wife
a short story “…So give me a call, Aliyah. I think this may be the one.” Aliyah rolled her eyes as she deleted the voicemail message then pressed the “end call” button on her cell phone. Her uncle had converted to Islam when she was in high school and had been influential in her own […]
January 21, 2015
Be Careful What You Feed Your Soul
Most of us understand the psychological and emotional harm that comes from constantly exposing ourselves to negative, toxic social and personal environments. So we limit interactions with negative people, and we end toxic relationships. But when it comes to religion, we say things like, “If you truly have faith, nothing can shake it.” There was […]
January 18, 2015
Prom, Cheerleading Hopes, & Teen Sexuality
Interview with Umm Zakiyyah by Risikat “Kat” Okedeyi of Lil SoSo Productions (LSP Effect radio show) Umm Zakiyyah, daughter of American converts to Islam, talks about going to the prom, having cheerleading hopes, and being attracted to boys at school. Listen to the excerpt via YouTube or read the audio transcript below: RO: Did you […]
January 5, 2015
From the Diary of an Extremist
a short story “Go back to your country! We don’t want you here!” The words still echoed in my mind as I crossed through the carpeted lobby of the Student Union building. Students sat in huddles on the floor, others sitting lazily on the arms of couches occasionally laughing at something someone said. When I […]
January 3, 2015
FAQs About Islam
WHAT IS ISLAM? Islam literally means submission or surrender, but in the religious sense it is complete, voluntary submission to God alone. It is based on the belief that humans’ primary purpose on earth is to worship and serve God and believe in all of His prophets and messengers. The Muslim is one who submits […]
January 1, 2015
Suicide Is Not a Cause for Praise
Her brother had attempted suicide three times, my friend told me. “It was really hard on the family,” she said. “We didn’t know what to do.” The first time he tried to kill himself, they found out after getting a call from the hospital. “Of course, we were all really scared and rushed to his […]
December 26, 2014
Muslims Celebrate Christmas?
If you didn’t grow up surrounded by glowing Christmas trees, shiny wrapped gifts, soothing carols, and colorful lights, it will be difficult to understand why “the holiday season” means so much to people. Though my parents converted to Islam the year I was born, Christmas was not a strange holiday to me. No, we didn’t […]
December 19, 2014
The Day Jessica Left Islam
a short story “Sit.” Jessica turned from where she was parting the heavily brocaded curtains to peer outside into the darkness. She found a large woman with deep olive skin gesturing toward a crushed velvet cushion on a chair in the dining room. The woman’s gold embroidered traditional dress that was wrapped about her made […]
November 30, 2014
The Stolen Hijab
When I saw her, I averted my gaze and walked toward my locker. I adjusted my backpack on my shoulder and squinted my eyes as if in concentration. I pretended that I had not seen her, that she and I did not know each other outside of school—and that I did not know she was […]
November 23, 2014
Suffering from Religious OCD?
“Sweetie, I miss you so much,” Samantha’s mother said. “Will you come visit during the holidays? I have so much I want to ask you.” Samantha kept the phone pressed to her ear as her heart constricted in anxiety. About six months ago, Samantha finally got up the nerve to tell her mother that she’d […]
