Growing up Muslim post 9/11: Standing out in North Dakota
Alaa Koleilat, a 3rd year Neuroscience major at UCLA, was living in North Dakota when the attacks happened. She shares her experience as one of the few Muslims that live in this state.
Growing up Muslim post 9/11: Running from Hate
I was twelve the year the disaster occurred. Until then, I had lived in a happy-go-lucky little bubble, safely cushioned from the events of the world until September 11, 2001 brought the events of the world to my doorstep.
Growing up Muslim post 9/11: Being on a Plane During the Attacks
Al-Talib speaks with Sabrina Syed, a 2nd year student at UCLA majoring in Biology, on her experience traveling back from Pakistan to the U.S. the day of the September 11 attacks. Syed was 8 years old at that time and was traveling with her sister and mother.
Growing up Muslim post 9/11: My Religion in the Spotlight
September 2001. For me, it marked turning ten, my family’s move from New York to California and my first time attending a public school after spending my childhood in a private Islamic school. It also happened to be the month where the actions of a few extremist individuals changed the lives of Muslim Americans forever.
Part, 1 Ramadan: Casablanca, Morocco
Somehow the stars seemed to be aligned just right, because my fortune could not have been better. I embarked on my dream to live in Muslim countries during the month of Ramadan this year.
How to NOT host extravagant Ramadan feasts
As a member of the South Asian community, I have attended numerous iftars that seem more like parties than iftar gatherings. If you’re a Muslim you’re probably thinking, “Iftar ‘parties’ and ‘gatherings’ are the same thing, dummy!” Sadly, our community has failed to distinguish between the kind of parties we host during most of the…
Success: A Test of Gratitude and Humility
Try to recall the last time you achieved something big, commendable, note-worthy. Straight A’s? A promotion? Election into a high position? Admission into a competitive university? Most of us have experienced the sweetness of success. Some of us view it as a blessing. Fewer of us recognize the Source of it and remember to thank…
First Ramadan Away from Home
Between attending classes and work and studying and an internship, finding the time to make food for iftar can be very difficult for Noor Teebi, a third year at UCLA who is spending her first Ramadan on her own. Being away from home for the first time, many other Muslim students face the same unexpected…