One of my fondest memories of my maternal auntie Sanaa, who passed away yesterday, was observing as she and mom embraced, giggled and gossiped as they sat together upon reuniting following a separation of several years. You couldn’t interrupt their joy and intent focus on one another. It was as though I wasn’t in the room as they sat on my aunt’s bed holding hands and bursting into uproarious laughter, literally, every five minutes. Continue reading “My mother’s sister”
I’m very excited to be taking part in a dynamic and unique online exhibition featuring Muslim women around the world. The International Museum of Women launched the exhibit, called Muslima: Muslim Women’s Art and Voice, yesterday for International Women’s Day. I wrote a special piece for the exhibition which will be featured in the coming weeks that I’m eager to share here!
As part of the process of putting together the exhibition, myself and other young Muslim women wrote six-word memoirs, keeping in mind the question: What does it mean to you to be a Muslim woman today?
The idea was inspired by a legend that Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in only six words. He responded with: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” SMITH magazine asked readers to submit their own six-word memoirs in 2006, and the trend has taken off since then.
The six words I chose were: “Adding, Subtracting, Finding Patience In Commotion”… Find out why by visiting my page on the Muslima website.
I would encourage you to browse through the site to learn more about the Muslima Ambassadors from Denmark, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines and the United States, including myself, who got this project off the ground. You can see the Curatorial Statement from curator Samina Ali and view some amazing contributions from female artists, photographers, writers, musicians and poets. There will be new content rolled out over the coming weeks and months. Please also take time to join the “Speak up! Listen up!” campaign to speak out against negative stereotypes about Muslim women and encourage others to truly listen to our voices.
Much love for International Women’s Day!
Dew Point 