The world is on fire,The smoke snaking in my ears.It met the swirling air within,The antithesis of dripping tears. The contrast flares high,For both require attention.The smudged lens feels cracked,Lacking resolution. Politics shackled my mind,Imprisoning naïve idealism.Communication is the key,Instead of barred skepticism. Yet we can take small steps,Set achievable goals.The world may be large,But…
Chemistry of CommunityThe world is made of atoms,Both individual and packed.A combination of customs,Both tangible and abstract. Communities chemically composed,Elementally individual.But energy stored in bonds-Thermodynamically favorable. Each bond a different length,Yet each a notable factor.Changes based on wavelengthBut still can shape character: Our melting and boiling points,Supportive structural integrity.Our awareness and viewpoints,Solidarity and reactivity. It’s…
Khawlah bint al-Azwar, fluttering cloth and clinking metal, deep in the heat of the desert; Squares her shoulders, draws a breath. Sends a word heavenwards, Eyes steely behind their shade. No fear must slake her resolve today. The hilt of the blade warms in her grip, the blood thrums under her skin- The spirit is…
Night descends upon the world’s horizon And the moon’s face gleams. A matter of time before the sun’s rising But darkness tears at the seams. And the needle’s eye seems so small, Blind to sanity’s thin thread. An apocalyptic protocol, A frayed knot’s far spread. The fabric of reality is flexible, Perspective the vehicle of…
The Name is quite a quandary, Constantly collecting curators. An identifier oft identified incorrectly, Ourselves the biggest perpetrators. “Hi, my name is Amal,” I said, “Just like a shopping mall.” Though reality disagreed within, I swayed to society’s call. For a year wandering lost, Unfamiliar and alone, Scraping by and trailing exhaust, Too willing to…
Assalamualaikum everyone (may the peace and blessings of God be upon you), Welcome to the Spring 2019 Al-Talib Newsmagazine Print Issue. My name is Nadiyah and I had the honor to serve as this year’s Editor-in-Chief. I want to emphasize serve because it goes back to the root of our organization which is to serve…
Image Credit: Nida Choudary The beginnings of Islamic poetry lie with the beginnings of Islam itself. Poetry was already a huge oral tradition in Arab culture before Islam. Much of pre-Islamic poetry was concerned with tribal life and used to earn honor for one’s tribe. It was also romantic in nature and explored daily tribal…
Growing up, I noticed my skin was different from the people I was surrounded with. I didn’t understand the color of my skin or why it made me innately less than. I didn’t know why a boy told me my skin resembled feces or why that meant I should be treated like I was from…
Me Too How long is long enough? How much will finally be enough? How do we get to a point where you’ve stopped treating us women like property and our bodies like a prize that doesn’t have to be won? When does it end? When will the harassment stop? When will our mothers and…
A fight for what’s right A turn from what’s wrong, Love’s what makes us strong. A broken heart doesn’t stop me But disrespect from my boss? I disagree, Love’s what makes us strong. Being told I can’t study science is a disgrace, Who’s to tell me where’s my place? Love’s what makes us…