The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf Quotes

“I'm not defending their views. I'm defending their right to have their views. There's a difference.”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

“Generally speaking, Americans cussed, smoke, and drank, and the Shamys had it on good authority that a fair number of them used drugs. Americans dated and fornicated and committed adultery. They had broken families and lots of divorces. Americans were not generous or hospitable like Uncle Abdulla and Aunt Fatma; they invited people to their houses only a few at a times, and didn't even let them bring their children, and only fed them little tiny portions of food they called courses on big empty plates they called good china. Plus, Americans ate out wastefully often...

Americans believed the individual was more important than the family, and money was more important than anything. Khadra's dad said Americans threw out their sons and daughters when they turned eighteen unless they could pay rent--to their own parents! And, at the other end, they threw their parents into nursing homes when they got old. This, although they took slavish care of mere dogs. All in all, Americans led shallow, wasteful, materialistic lives.”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

“I cannot operate from fear anymore.”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

“One time her father told her Shakespeare was really an Arab. 'Just look at his name: It's an Anglicization of Sheikh Zubayr,' he said with a straight face.”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

“For in song lies the mystery of Being.”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

“You do not know your own beauty, you struggle in grief, but I, I have seen it all, and I know: You yourself are the secret essence.”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

“...Her eyes sparkle like she's about to cartwheel through a mosque.”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

“And together they did eat of the candy corn. And it was good.”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

“Here was an exposure, her soul an unmarked sheet shadowing into distinct shapes under the fluids. Fresh film. Her self, developing.”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

“Juma: I'm not a woman--I don't know HOW to cook!
Khadra: Well, it didn't come with my BOOBS!”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

“That's Pete Seeger,' Joy said, indicating the snake with a nod. 'Baker beaned 'im, Dad stuffed 'im, and I named 'im.”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

“A treasure that fire cannot eat. my little secret. I've carried them wrapped in a handkerchief in my bosom through some tight places. Not for nothing do Shamy girls have good boobs.”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

“Peeling an eggplant was like unveiling an ivory-skinned woman dressed all in black.”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

“[He] [w]ent deep into the cave where wounded men go when they walk around not talking to anyone about what's happening to them on the inside. Also known as Terre Haute.”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

“You knew you were an Arab if your ride form the airport was two dozen people.”
― Mohja Kahf, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf