“And when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with ‘Salamaa’ (peaceful words of gentleness).” (25:63)





























No matter how many times I pace back and forth in my bedroom, I can’t figure out how to break the news to Selma, Ahsan and Ahla. They’re going to be disappointed in me for telling them last minute, but I just found out so it’s technically not my fault! Ammi keeps saying not to worry and hurry up because we still have so much packing to do.
I walk to Lasbela Bridge over Lyari River, where we meet every day. Selma, Ahsan and Ahla are already there, waiting for me.
“Hey! What are you guys looking at?” I ask as I walk up to them.
Ahsan’s the first to turn around, “There’s a mother duck playing with her baby. Come look at them. They’re so adorable!” Selma and Ahla make some room for me to lean on the railing. I can feel Selma glare at me. I look over at her and she asks, “Aaminah, is everything alright? You look tensed!”
I’ve known Selma my entire life. Her mother and Ammi are best friends from college and live in the same town. Slowly we became close and now are best friends too! She always knows how I’m feeling by looking at my face. I look down at the ground and say,“Uh, I have some big news… We’re going to New York… Forever.”
Ahla widens her eyes,“You’re kidding, right?” Ahsan looks down at the ground and kicks a bunch of rocks around. He looks like he’s hiding something from us.
Selma on the other hand, is shouting at me,“Why?? What’s the problem with Pakistan? When are you leaving? Why all of a sudden??”
“We’re leaving tonight. My --”
“You’re leaving TONIGHT??!”, the three of them say in unison.
Ahsan finally speaks up, “I heard your father talk about it with Abbu last week but I thought maybe you guys were leaving in a couple of months or maybe even next year. I didn’t know it would be this soon.”
“Ammi and Abbu never mentioned anything to me. I just found out after fajr prayer! But remember how I told you guys Ammi always dreamed about going to New York because her brother is there and she hasn’t seen him in 20 years? Well, now Allah is making her dream come true.”
Selma still looks upset, but she says, “You’re so lucky! I’ve always wanted to travel. But you’re going to come back and visit us right?”
“Of course I’m going to visit! Why wouldn’t I? My Mamu always sends pictures of New York and of his family. I can’t wait to meet them!”
“Guys, Aaminah’s going to come back with her perfect English and fancy clothing,” Ahsan winks at me. I stick my tongue out at him and say, “I’m always going to be the same. Okay, I have to get going! I haven’t packed my bags yet! We’re leaving at 8 o’clock, so come by before we leave!”
I give Selma and Ahla a hug and Ahsan says, “Okay, see you later. Assalamu Alaikum!”




“Aaminah, you’re finally home! Start packing, we’re leaving soon!”, Ammi says as she starts gathering Ahmed’s clothes.
I bring the suitcase to my room but can’t decide what to take with me and what to leave behind.
“Ammi, what am I suppose to pack? Everything’s not going to fit in the luggage.”
Ammi yells from Ahmed’s room,“Take your good clothing and anything that you need or is important to you. Please leave your dolls. You’re too mature for them now!”
My dolls! I don’t play with dolls anymore, but they’ve been a big part of my childhood. I keep them to decorate my bed. Maybe I’ll give them to Selma’s and Ahla’s little sisters before I go. I know they’ll love them!





As I finish gathering up my belongings, Abbu knocks on my door.
“Are you done packing, Aaminah? You’re Mamu’s going to drop us off at the airport. You’re friends are also waiting outside to say goodbye.”
“Yeah, I’m ready. Let me just get something. I’ll meet you outside.”
Abbu leaves with my suitcase and I pick up the picture frame from my desk. It’s a picture of me, Selma, Ahla, and Ahsan from a couple of month’s ago when our families along with others had our annual picnic together. We always have a picnic in the middle of the summer and everyone brings some kind of home-made dish. The adults do their talking and we kids just hang out and have fun. These picnics were always so special, just being able to spend time with family and friends and just the idea of being together is always great.
I stare at the picture and remember watching Ahsan play cricket with his friends. He is so obsessed with cricket!
We’re cheering him on as he plays against one of our classmates who is also having a picnic with our families. When it comes to supporting my friends, I know I will never let them down!
“Yeah Ahsan, come on you can do this!!” I scream aloud.
Ahla cheers, “Woohoo, go Ahsan!”
Ahsan wins the game and lays down on the grass with his hands behind his head. He says to Ahla as Selma and I walk away, “King of cricket, right?” We turn around and stick our tongues out at him and gives him a thumbs down.
I’m smiling, thinking about the game, when Selma asks me, “Hey, what do you think about Ahsan?” I give her a confused expression and ask, “Huh? What do you mean?” She smiles at me and raises her eyebrow, “I think you like him!” Ahla comes out of nowhere from behind me and adds in, “A lot!” Wow, that was a sudden attack I wasn’t prepared for!
I can feel my face warming up, but I protest, “No, I don’t have a crush on him! We’re just friends!”
“Aaminah, it’s okay to like him. You know, I think he likes you too. He doesn’t talk to us the same way as he does with you. And you guys are more close, says Selma as Ahla nods with her.
They defeat me, I can never lie to my friends.
“But even if I do like him, there’s no point. His parents are really strict about relationships

and you know, he’s only allowed to hang out with us because his dad and Abbu are close

friends.”
“I heard his parents had a love marriage. Didn’t they?”
“Yeah they did, but they want to their only son’s wife to be perfect.”
“Aaminah, don’t worry. You never know, maybe it’ll be you. You know something, you will find someone else in life, who is exactly like him.”


Now that I think about it, my parents also had a love marriage so I know they don’t care about that. It’s just at this age, they think it distracts kids from their studies and wouldn’t want me to be thinking about this now.
Will I actually find someone else like him? A person who’s hilarious and makes you laugh if you’re not smiling. A person who always knows what to say at the perfect time. A person who not only hears what you have to say, but listens with his heart. Someone who will keep me happy throughout my life and will walk hand-in-hand into Jannat.. I hope Selma’s right..





Outside I find everyone saying their goodbyes. Ammi and Abbu are giving hugs and saying goodbye to their friends and other relatives who happen to stop by. Ammi is crying and I can see tears in Abbu’s eyes too. No matter where we go, I know Pakistan will always have a special place in my heart.
Ahmed pulls on my dupatta, “Baji, why is everyone crying? Where are we going?”
“Ahmed, we’re going somewhere far. In Sha Allah, we’ll come back soon.”
I run over to my friends and give them a big group hug. Selma, Ahla and I start crying. I don’t want to leave them.. We’ve known each other for so long and they’re my best friends. I wish they could come with us. Ahsan is awkwardly looking at us because we’re crying. He always makes fun of us when we cry, but even he looks sad today. He smirks at us and says, “Oh, stop being such babies!” I reach out to punch his shoulder and he grabs my hand before it touches him. He looks straight into my eyes and is about to say something, but Selma and Ahla begin to fake cough. Ahsan realizes he’s still holding my hand, and lets go of it, creating an awkwardness between us.


Mamu’s car is here and we have to leave.
Selma is holding onto my arm,
“Don’t forget us Aaminah! Please call and email and stay in touch! We’re definitely going to want to hear about your American life!”
“Don’t worry, I promise I won’t ever forget you guys! I’m going to miss you guys!” I tell them as I give them one last hug.
We get into the car and I can still see them through the window as we drive away. But soon, they get smaller and smaller and I know we’ve lost their view.




We’re 10,000 feet above the ground! It feels like we’re on a rollercoaster, but with windows. At first I’m terrified to be so high up, but then I realize how breath-taking it is. Well, you can’t really see much through the windows except the white puffy pillows.
The excitement inside me doesn’t let my eyes to close. On the other hand, Abbu and Ahmed are already snoring away and I think Ammi’s asleep too. I can’t wait to meet Mamu, Ammi’s older brother, and his family. They’re going to pick us up from the airport. I’ve never met him because he left Pakistan before I was born, and then started his family in New York. I’m looking forward to everything about New York.
We’ve finally landed and we are waiting for our luggage. They have to scan us before we go to the other section. The lady at the checkout is eyeing us really suspiciously. Is it because I’m wearing the hijab? Is it because Abbu has a beard? Is it because Ammi is wearing the burqa and niqab?? She lets us onto the waiting section, but still stares at us as we walk away.
Finally Mamu and his family are here! Ammi hugs her brother and sister-in-law right away, and then Abbu shakes Mamu’s hand.
“Assalamu Alaikum!” I say to my Mamu and Mumani, as they finally notice me and Ahmed.
“Wa’alaikum Assalam, MashAllah Aaminah, you look exactly like your mother did when she was a little girl,” says Mamu as he pinches my cheeks.
Ammi and Abbu also make small talk with my cousins Khadija, Zoya Baji and Omar, since it’s their first time meeting them. One of my cousins looks my age, and the other one looks a little older than us. Omar looks like he’s the same age as Ahmed.


Once Abbu and Mamu put the luggages into the van, the adults start talking about relatives and politics in Pakistan. While they’re enjoying their conversation, here I am feeling awkward sitting in the back seat with my cousins who aren’t talking. I don’t know if I should be the one to start the conversation since I’m new to their country. I stick to not talking and just stare out the window. The buildings we pass are nothing like the ones in Pakistan. They’re skinny and tall so tall, making my neck ache from staring up. There are so many people out on the streets and there’s cars everywhere. I even spotted a Muslim women crossing the street with her son.
This makes me think about the lives of women in Pakistan. You wouldn’t see a lot of women walking around so freely in Pakistan, because of the Taliban. The Taliban is out of step with the Muslim world. They have a totally different version of Islam, which is not true at all! They want women to stay trapped at home as housewives, but don’t women deserve a right to live their life just like men? Women deserve to be educated and have an opportunity to obtain a career. Not only do they threaten men and women, but they also attack many areas with threatening weapons. The Taliban’s promise is to restore peace and security and enforce their own version of Sharia, the Islamic Law, if they’re ever in power that is. These men believe that the laws of Islam must be followed strictly and they assume they only have the right to interpret the meaning of the Quran. I’ve been waiting for someone to speak up to these horrible monsters, and finally someone has stood up for what they know is right. Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani teenager, has finally spoken up for her right to be educated. I never knew her personally, but I along with her school, my school was shut down a couple of months ago because of the Taliban.
I continue thinking about the harsh treatment some women got from the Taliban, but Abbu interrupts my train of thoughts. “Aaminah, come on, we’re here!” he says. I didn’t even realize that the car came to a stop and we’re here already.
It’s almost 11 o’clock, so we start to settle in. My parents are going to stay in the guest room and I have to stay with my cousins. Ahmed is going to stay with Omar.
Khadija and Zoya Baji have a bunk bed in their room and an extra single bed in the corner. Zoya Baji shows me the way to the bathroom, where I freshen up and then head back to the room. As I get closer to the door, I hear Khadija telling Zoya Baji, “Why do they have to stay in our house? Couldn’t they just go to a hotel?!”
Khadija whispers to her sister,“Don’t be so rude Khadija! They’re new, and you know how thrilled Abbu is to see his sister after so long! Anyway, they’ll leave once Mamu gets a decent job and can get a home, so don’t worry!”
I wait for it to get quiet and then enter the room. I try avoiding making eye contact with them and go straight to bed.
I barely know them yet and they already don’t like me? What did I do to them?





Oh no! I missed the morning prayer, fajr!!
I get out of bed and find Khadija still sleeping, but Zoya Baji isn’t there. My parents are in the kitchen having tea and breakfast with Mamu and Mumani.
Mumani says to me, “Good morning Aaminah, come join us for breakfast!”
I’m still thinking about what Khadija said last night when Mamu tells me, “Beti, wake up your cousin. We’re all going to take a walk around the city.”
“Okay Mamu!”


Mamu shows Abbu his office. He tells him, “You know, it was hard getting you this job, but they gave it because I had talked it out with them before.”
Ammi tells her brother, “Thank you for everything Bhai Jaan. It means a lot to us! I hope we’re not causing any trouble.”
“Hey, there’s no problem at all. Am I not your older brother? I’m here to help anytime.”, says Mamu.
We walk to this huge park called Central Park! I’m walking with my cousins, so I decide to just start a conversation already.
“Hey, this is a nice park. Do you guys come here often?”
Khadija rolls her eyes in annoyance, “We sometimes have picnics, or just hang out with friends.”
Zoya Baji asks, “Aaminah, do you miss Pakistan?”
“Yeah, I do! I miss my friends and everything about Pakistan! We were all so close and we had so much fun together!”
“Well school is starting in a month, so you’ll make new friends here.”
“In Sha Allah, but my English isn’t so good.”
“Don’t worry, it’s fine and it’ll get better!”, assures Zoya Baji.
“Thanks….You guys haven’t been to Pakistan right?”
“No, but Abbu said maybe he’ll take us next year. I really hope we go.”
“Oh, you guys will love it if you go! You’ll have so much fun!”
Mamu takes us to Applebee's to have lunch and then we head home.
When we get back to the apartment, Ammi tells Zoya Baji, “Zoya Beti, if you don’t mind, can you take Aaminah shopping for school tomorrow? She didn’t bring a lot of school clothing.. I would go with you guys, but Bhabhi said to allow you both to go together.”
“Koi bhaat nahi, I’ll take her.”













This morning I wake up and find Zoya Baji reading a book in bed. She must have woken up earlier.
“Hey, good morning! I was waiting for you to wake up so we could have breakfast together.”
“You must be hungry, you should’ve eaten without me Baji.. Should I wake up Khadija?”
“No, leave her Aaminah. She sleeps late in the morning, otherwise she’s going to be cranky all day!”
As we’re eating breakfast, Zoya Baji tells me about the malls in New York. There are a lot of stores around the neighborhood, but we’re going to Queens Center Mall right after breakfast. Ammi told me my cousins would be really sweet and caring. Zoya Baji is actually really nice and she seems to understand our position as new immigrants. Khadija on the other hand, isn’t so happy with us being here. But I know she’ll get over it soon and understand us!


We’re taking the train to the mall. Zoya Baji gives her seat to a pregnant women and I get up too for her little son. The little boy whispers to his mom, “Ma, why is their head covered? Do they not have any hair?” The mother shushes her son and says, “Sshh Oscar. It’s part of their religion!” She notices me looking at them and says, “Sorry, my son doesn’t understand.” I tell her, “It’s okay. No problem.”
At least she apologized for her son’s comments. I hope she teaches her son that we’re the same as them too, and I hope they don’t think we’re terrorists. Zoya Baji told me before that some people stare and make rude comments but don’t even apologize.


Once we’re at the mall, I can’t decide what kind of clothing to buy! All these girls walking around barely have any clothing on them! They’re wearing tank tops and really really short skirts! Astagfirullah! Zoya Baji notices me making a weird face at them and she bursts into laughter.
“Ahaha, Aaminah you’re thinking about their clothing right?”
“Yeah Baji! They’re no where near covered! Don’t they feel ashamed at all, especially with all these guys walking around and staring at their asses??”
“Oh Aaminah. We believe in Allah and we stay covered. But to them, it isn’t wrong at all. Don’t criticise them for what they wear and don’t wear.”
“I know, I guess it’s their choice,” I say.”
Baji walks me into one store and says, “Okay, lets get some shopping done!”


We look through so many dresses and shirts, but I just can’t seem to make up my mind. But Baji helps me pick out a couple of outfits, and she buys herself some too. We also buy some new matching hijabs for our outfits.


New York City is actually a beautiful place. Walking down a busy street, with people everywhere, isn’t the same feeling as walking down a road in Pakistan. There are dancers performing on the trains and on the streets, and groups gathered all around them. Ahsan would have loved watching these hip hop dancers on the train. He loves to dance, even though we all know he’s awful and makes a fool out of himself. His smile makes me smile and Baji notices. “Aaminah, why are you smiling? Hmm, you’re thinking about anything?”
I blush at her question, “Just thinking about my friends in Pakistan…” “Friends huh? Anyone in particular?” she asks. “Just a close friend Baji,” I tell her as we head up the stairs to the apartment.



“Assalamu Alaikum, we’re home!” says Zoya Baji to everyone.
“Wa’alaikum Assalam! How was your day?” asks Mumani.
“It went really well. We got a lot of shopping done. Baji helped me buy some outfits,” I tell Mumani, who is preparing for dinner.
I help her set up the table with the plates and spoons. After dinner, we all sit down together to watch a movie. I enjoy that Mamu’s family doesn’t try to act American. Even if they’re not in Pakistan, they watch Urdu shows and Bollywood movies and they still follow in the path of Islam.



We’ve been in New York for about a month, and I still haven’t had a chance to email my friends. Khadija has a laptop, so I ask her, “Hey Khadija, is it okay if I use your laptop to email my friends?”
“I have to do something on it now,” she says, even though she doesn’t get up to get it.
Zoya Baji must have been hearing from the other end of the room, because she says, “Aaminah, do you want to you use mine?”
“Yeah, sure. Thank you!” I tell her.


I sign into my email and find a message from Selma, Ahsan and Ahla. In their email’s they all ask about everyone and how’s it going in New York.
I answer to them all,


Assalamu Alaikum! How are you guys?
New York is beautiful! It’s huge, but it’s nothing like Pakistan! I miss Pakistan soo much and want to come back! I’m so nervous, I’m starting school in a week! What if I don’t fit in? The girls here don’t even wear full body clothing! At first I found it weird, but then realized, it doesn’t seem wrong to them and I shouldn’t judge them because of what they wear.
Oh Ahsan, you should have seen the dancers here! Some people dance on the train or even perform on the street. It’s so fascinating and impressive.
There’s also a gorgeous park here, that reminded me of our picnics. I wish you guys were all here. We would have so much fun together…
Take care. Sincerely, Aaminah.


I return Baji’s laptop to her and thank her before going to bed. She says to me, “Aaminah, don’t mind Khadija. She’s just not use to having you guys here. I know she’ll accept it though.”
“Koi bhaat nahi, I don’t mind,” I tell her.



During fajr prayer, I make dua to Allah to help me throughout the day. We’re going to school today and I can’t sleep after fajr because I have butterflies in my stomach.


I’ve been sitting in the living room for two hours, waiting for everyone else to wake up. Finally Khadija and Zoya Baji wake up and are startled to find me awake already.


“Someone’s up extra early,” says Khadija. “You’re ready for today?”
“No, I’m actually kind of worried,” I tell her.
“Don’t worry, you guys will most likely have the same classes, so Khadija will help you out,” says Zoya Baji. “And I’ll see you guys around the hallway.”








When I get my schedule this morning, I ask Khadija about hers. We only have two classes together, geometry and global history. Plus we have home room together.
I know no one in this school except Khadija and Zoya Baji. All of Khadija’s friends come up to her and start talking about their summer vacation. I feel weird just standing around, so I take a seat in the front of the room. I look around the classroom and look at everyone’s face. I don’t see any hijabis in the room, but there’s one or two guys who look Arab or South Asian. Khadija doesn’t wear a hijab, so I’m the only hijabi in the room.


“Assalamu Alaikum, my name is Amani,” says a hijabi as she takes the seat next to me! “Are you new here?”
“Wa’alaikum Assalam! Yes, this is my first year,” I tell her. “My name is Aaminah.” Yes! I’m not the only hijabi!!
“Oh! Welcome to Manhattan Tech High School! What school were you in before?” she asks. She thinks I’m from New York. To clear up the misunderstanding, I tell her, “No, I just came to New York a couple of months ago. I’m from Pakistan!”
She’s surprised and doesn’t know how to respond, but says, “Oops, you’re English sounds so per-


“Look what we have here, another towel head,” says a tall, tough looking kid as he enters the classroom. “I thought one was plenty, is another one really necessary!?” A bunch of guys follow him in and start laughing at his disrespectful comment. “Nice one Oscar,” says one of his friends as he slaps his back.
I know the insult is aimed at me. My face is burning and I know it’s already red by now. Oh no, there’s a tear in my eye! I look down at my empty notebook and hold back my tears. I avoid eye contact, as Oscar, takes the seat behind me.
Amani places her hand over mine and says, “Ignore them. They have no respect for anyone.”
I blink a couple of time to get rid of my tears and fake a smile at her, “It’s fine.”


The rest of the day goes by in a blur. We get our supply list and go over the curriculum in most of the classes. I see Khadija in global history and geometry, but we don’t talk much. She’s acting as if I’m invisible to her and we don’t know each other. I guess she’s embarrassed to have a hijabi cousin in her class. Baji wears a hijab too, but we barely see her around the school…


After dismissal, I wait outside the school for Baji and Khadija, so we can head home together. Baji shows up a minute later and asks, “Where’s Khadija? Isn’t she out yet?”
I tell her, “No, I haven’t seen her come out.”
She looks back at the building and asks, “Oh. How was your first day of school?”
Just as I’m about to answer, two boys walk past us and one of them says, “Look at those twin towels. They’re probably planning the next attack.”


Zoya Baji doesn’t let them get off the hook. She says to them, “Hey guys! You wanna join us? We’ll let you in some details of our secret plan.”
The boys look at each other and then back at Baji. They say, “Huh, what plan?”
Baji says back to them, “Well, you’re the one with the crazy idea of us making an attack.”
“Whatever,” they say and roll their eyes as they walk away. They know they're messing with the wrong person. Baji doesn’t allow anyone to dishonor any other religion, especially not Islam.


Finally Khadija walks out of school and rushes over to us.
“Ah, here comes the royal highness,” says Baji as she rolls her eyes.
Royal highness?? “Huh? Why is she the royal highness?” I ask, confused.
“She thinks she’s better than us Aaminah. She’s two-faced and tries to hide the fact that she is Muslim,” says Baji as she starts walking ahead of us.
Wow, so that’s why Khadija was trying to avoid talking to me in school. Makes sense now..
We walk to the train station in silence, enjoying the September wind that hits our face. 45 minutes on a train with complete strangers.. It gave me some time to think about school.. American schools are different than the ones’ back home. I took all my classes in English back in Pakistan, but I already learned some of the things we’re going to learn this year.. I guess Pakistan is a little advanced in their curriculum.



The next few days I was constantly walking around the school like a lost maniac. I’ve walked into three wrong classrooms and am late to two classes!
I walk into Earth Science and find everyone pairing up with each other for a project. Amani isn’t even in my class, so I have no one to pair up with. I look around hopelessly, in search to find anyone from my previous classes.
“Hey, need a partner?” asks a gentle voice, belonging to a tall, handsome boy with hazel eyes.
I look back in surprise,“Uhmm, yeah. You?”
He smiles at me, “Uh yeah, that’s why I happen to be asking you.”
Mashallah, his eyes tell me he’s Palestinian, but his voice belongs to a Pakistani. The way they glow under the light from the ceiling. They say such honest words, but I can tell he’s a goofy kid, with that smile. Ah, so this is Amin? The guy all the girls are always talking about in the girl’s bathroom? He’s supposively the coolest guy among the sophomores and has that confident attitude in everything he does. And he wants to be my partner?


“Earth to Aaminah!”
“Huh, yeah! So, what mineral do you want to do the project on?” I ask.
“Let’s do diamonds. Everyone’s obsessed with them anyway, and they remind me of you,” he smiles and winks at me.
Excuse me what?? Is he flirting with me?
“Uhmm..sooo, anyways.” I pretend to start putting my books in my bag and ask, “Do you know when this thing is due?”
He’s still standing by my desk and says, “Sometime next week.. You have lunch next?”
“Yeah, you?”
“Yeah. Come on, I’ll walk with you,” says Amin as he starts walking.
I was hoping he wouldn’t walk with me. I barely know him, and it feels awkward walking with a complete stranger. But thank Allah, I find Amani as we’re approaching the cafeteria.
She has a confused expression on her face and says, “Hey. You guys know each other?”
“We’re partners for the Earth Science project, Baji,” says Amin.
Woah, hold on! He’s her brother??
“You guys are siblings??” I ask Amani.
“Unfortunately, yeah,” sighs Amani.
“Hey, you know I’m the best brother ever,” says Amin as he punches Amani lightly on the shoulder.
“Uh huh, sure you are,” says Amani. We walk inside the cafeteria as the kids from last period are leaving. Amani and I walk toward the table that we usually sit at. The group of students who are sitting there get up and raise their hands, “Hey hey don’t throw a bomb on us!”
Amin comes out of no where, and shouts at them, “Hey, what’s going on here? What did you say to them?”
“None of your business Amin, get outta here.”
“You are offending my religion and bothering my friends -
Amani grabs her brother’s hand, which is already in a fist and says, “Amin leave it. It’s okay.”
The rest of the kids walk away and Amin stares at them as they leave.
“Hey Amin, who cares what they say? Don’t let it get to you. You know we’re not doing anything wrong, so ignore them,” I tell Amin.
He calms down a little, and sits with us for lunch. I knew wearing the hijab would be a problem here. I guess that’s why Khadija doesn’t have the courage to wear it.
We try avoiding this topic and talk about other things while we eat lunch.
I’m working on my geometry homework, when Khadija asks me, “Everything okay? I heard some kids were bothering you and Amani in lunch.”
I look up and tell her, “Yeah, they think we’re terrorists.”
She rolls her eyes, “Hmm.. Ignore them. Aaminah, Allah knows we are not terrorists and we don’t want any harm. Remember, don’t ever talk back to any of them and say anything rude. Just smile and walk away.”
I smile at her encouraging words and say, “Thanks! It’s just, sometimes it really hurts when you have to constantly hear such rude comments..”
She sighs and says, “I know how you feel, it’s awful. I was thinking about wearing the hijab last year, but I didn’t have the strength. I remember Baji was teased when she started wearing it and I wasn’t ready to face that.”
“Oh.. But you’re right.. Don’t let anyone’s words hurt you,” I say to her.


I hear Abbu talking to Ammi about us moving. He tells her, “I think it’s time we move out.. These ten months have gone by so fast. I looked at a bunch of houses and found one nearby. I will talk to Bhai Jaan tonight.”
“Are you serious?” I whisper aloud.
I was finally getting to know my cousins, but now we’re moving.. Couldn’t this wait awhile?
When we first came to New York, I felt lonely because I missed my other aunts/uncles and cousins in Pakistan and because I didn’t know Khadija and Zoya so well.. But then as our relationship grew, everything seemed perfect.. It was a rough start, since Khadija didn’t really accept us at first. But later she did start understanding we’re family. Things got easier from there. Having your family here all the time, you know they’ll always support you no matter what.
I’m trying to focus on my homework, when Ammi comes in and tells us all about their decision to move. She sits down on my bed and says, “We’re moving! But it’s not so far, it’s only two blocks away from here.” We can still go to school together and hang out all the time!
We’re moving today and Ammi starts crying! At first I think it’s really silly and childish because we’re only going a couple of blocks away, but then I realize she’s crying because she finally got to be with her brother after so long and she doesn’t want to leave him. In Pakistan, we use to all live together.. All as in, all of my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. We were a joint family. But now, we’re going to be living alone.
I walk around our room before I leave. The memories we created in such a short time. On Fridays we would stay up all night and watch movies. In the morning we would get yelled at by our parents for laughing too loud at night. This is the bedroom where we had so many conversations, the bedroom where I knew I would be able to speak to my cousins when I was in a bad mood.. Now, we’re going to a new apartment and my cousins won’t be there anymore.. I’m going to miss everything about this apartment. From Omar’s tiny spider ring that always stayed on the coffee table, to the new curtains we took forever to decide on for the windows. From Mumani’s cooking to Mamu’s crazy weekend ideas. They’ve all given us so much love and support since we came. I know I can always count on them for anything.
Zoya Baji and Khadija give me a hug before we leave.
Khadija squeezes my arm,“Hey! Why are you tearing up? We’re still right here, and we’re always going to be here if you need anything. Smile!”



The newly painted walls look so dull and boring, with nothing on them except complete barrenness. I walk to the window and sit by the edge, admiring the view of other houses along the block and watching some toddlers play in front of our house.
Ammi calls my attention and says, “Aaminah, why don’t you start unpacking?”
I walk into my room and unload all of my books first. They’re mostly textbooks and chapter books, but on top is my Quran. I have it wrapped in my jaanemaaz, the prayer mat, and bring both close to my chest. I walk to my shelf and place it gently on the top of my shelf, with two show pieces right on the side. They’re both glass show pieces of the Quran that one of my teachers had given me in Pakistan.
I set up the rest of my room and help Ammi with Ahmed's room..


Every morning, I meet Khadija and Baji at the train station so that we can go to school together. And now summer is starting! We left Pakistan after Ramadan, and now here comes another Ramadan. This time of the year makes everything feel so perfect! Everyone praying together and reading the Quran all day long, it just feels great! It’s not only during Ramadan that we pray and read together, but there’s a different feeling during Ramadan. Then we break our fast at sunset, with a bunch of homemade dishes. This year is going to be great too!


Since it’s the first day of Ramadan, we’re going to break fast with all of our friends and family at our new house. I invited Amani and her family, and Abbu invited some his friends from his office. Mamu and Mumani will be here too, with my cousins.
The more I talk to Amani, the more things in common I find.. She is also from Pakistan and Palestine too, but she came to America when she was 3 years old. She reminds me of Selma because it’s easy talking to her about anything.
Everyone start to arrive an hour before Iftar. Amani’s parents fall into a conversation with Ammi and Abbu as we head to my room with Khadija, Zoya Baji and Amani. Amin is the only teenage boy, so he’s all alone.. But Ahmed asks him to play board games with him and he seems so interested in it!


Khadija asks Amani, “Hey Amani, what’s wrong?”
I turn around and find Amani sitting on my bed with her face in her hands.
She says, “On our way here, there was a guy who asked us if we wanted a cookie and we said no, we’re fasting. The guy burst into laughter, and said we’re wasting our time and energy by fasting. He said Muslims are the worst type of people! How could he say that?!”
“People always judge others, even if they don’t know anything about them. But everyone isn’t like that. That person is an ignorant man, who doesn’t know or understand anything about Islam,” says Khadija.
Sometimes I really don’t understand why people have to talk about others so much. Is it necessary to discuss false comments about Islam or any religion??
“Amani, it says in the Quran that whenever you hear foul language or others disrespecting anyone or any religion, to ignore them. Do not create an argument by talking back to them, that just makes the matter worse,” I tell Amani looking over at Baji for some more support.
Zoya Baji says to her, “Just treat everyone kindly with respect and act humble. Ask for forgiveness to Allah if by accident you say anything rude. In Sha Allah, He will forgive us all!”
“Also, remember, always smile and be happy. Don’t let other’s words upset you,” I add in.
Amani looks up at us and smiles, “Thanks guys! Your words truly helped me feel better!”

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Do not abuse anyone, do not look down upon any good work, and when you speak to your brother, show him a cheerful face.” [Sunan of Abu-Dawood, Hadith 1889] Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) always smiled, and he encourages all Muslims to do so as it’s a good deed and an act of charity. Smile, it’s Sunnah!



The End