#Current Affairs

#NeverForget: My Son’s 9/11 Homework Project | Remembering What They Want Us to Forget

Published

September 11, 2014

Yesterday my son brought home a school project on 9/11 and he couldn’t understand why I snapped at him—’#NeverForget‘ is not just a slogan. Today I apologized to him for not giving him an interview about where I was and what are my worst memories of the day, and what exactly happened on 9/11. He said, “It’s okay, Mama. My sisters told me your about friend, Rahma.”

I haven’t spoken to my boys about her or even about what happened that horrific day in detail; it’s so much harder explaining it to a boy, especially a boy who will grow up be a brown man in this country; a brown, bearded man. One who I want to raise knowing Justice and Peace. #raisingMuslimmen

We lost Rahma on 9/11 en route to Los Angeles on Flight 11. She was going to be a mother. I hadn’t seen her since her engagement as I had left the US. After coming back, I had taken time for granted—marriage, motherhood, you think you have all the time in the world to catch up. But you don’t. ‘By Time, Indeed mankind is in loss’, Quran 103:1-2

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

I hate having to remind people of her death, but #everylifematters and her life mattered. Maybe her life doesn’t fit into the narrative because she was a Sri Lankan/Japanese Muslim, her husband Micky —a Greek convert to Islam, and their unborn baby, an American, who would have been the same age as my Zayni this year. 13.

Love you Rahma! God took you and gave you a maqam (a status) that we can only pray for. Girl, ask about me if you don’t see me there. Jannah, InshaAllah.

The memories of all the hundreds of thousands of people who have died on and after 9/11: here in the US, in Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, Pakistan, is something we will never forget, even if we try to.

How do I explain to my son what this world has become after 9/11, with the creation of more terror, more death and destruction.

Maybe one of the questions in that school interview project should have been: How many loved ones have you lost in a terrorist attack?

Umm… I should say 7.

Yesterday, my cousin Amna passed away. They say she had leukemia for the past 6 months, but I think she died of a broken heart, a terrorized heart. Her body was not making healthy blood cells. Would yours, if your soul had been ripped apart? She was raising 3 boys: Abdullah, Hamza, Hafeez. She raised a Muslim man, Abdullah. A bright, beautiful, brown man-16 he was. Completed his memorization of the Quran.

‘He was glowing [that day as he left for Jummah], so I took a photo of him on my phone,” she said sharing a rare photo of his, something that she rarely did in this age of selfies. He walked his grandfather, his ‘buddy’, my uncle who dropped gems of wisdom with classic snark, to the Parade Lane masjid in Rawalpindi Saddar, in the officer’s residential colony, to pray Jummah. Early so they could be in the first row, near the imam. They never came back. Death by suicide bomb attack.

Martyred. Allah must really want them in Heaven, my nephew and uncle, the suicide bombers not so much, son. …Despite what the Islamophobes try to sell you and extremists try to tell them about the 72 virgins.

‘The attack definitely had an anti-military angle to wreak vengeance against military personnel for not stopping the US drone (pilotless planes) strikes in the area,’ said analysts.

I am worried about Hamza and Hafeez, they needed a mother’s love to nurse the pain of losing their brother to radicals. They needed their grandfather’s wisdom to bear the loss of their mother. Ya Allah, watch over them.

But they have their father, Col. Kaleem Zuberi, and Mamu sahab (Uncle) and Mami sahab (Aunt) raised a fine Muslim man. He balances his Deen (religion) and his Dunya (world) like very few. Amna Baji and Kaleem Bhai were one of those couples that were totally in tune with each other. Both of them are my cousins and I grieve for his loss, his sweet love, but sometimes mothers ask Allah for some strange things and after 5 years, Amna Baji is with her Abdullah.

I grieve for him, and her and Rahma, and those who died innocently in the Twin towers,those died to help them ie Salman Hamdani, a first responder and for Nabila’s grandmother. The 9-year-old who came to testify to our Senate about her grandmother, who was shattered to death on Eid day by a US drone and countless others.

I also grieve for the young men who are used as suicide bombers and the families they leave behind: what horrific circumstances crushed their youthful spirits? What propaganda brainwashed their dreams? Who used their youthful brown bodies for what gain? What injustices made them break the sanctity of a masjid on a Friday? How devalued were their lives for them to devalue other lives? Where were their mothers?

Coming back to my son, how do I tell him about Rahma, without telling him about Abdullah? It’s all connected. How do I explain to my American son of Pakistani origin that his cousin was killed because Uncle Kaleem is an army man who works to protect the land where my mother lives, by groups who are “against those officers and ministers who are American by hearts and minds and Pakistani just by faces.”

It’s so complicated, dear 4th grade teacher, this project of yours.

What do I want him to remember about 9/11? Let’s see.

After 9/11 terrorist attacks have doubled in Pakistan; since the War on Terror started over ~~35,000~~, 49,000 people have been killed in Pakistan, 24,000 by terrorist attacks in 2001-2008.

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ), an independent journalist organizationreports that from June 2004 through mid-September 2012, available data indicate that drone strikes killed 2,562-3,325 people in Pakistan, of whom 474-881 were civilians, including 176 childre

Nicolas J. S. Davies writes on Alternet: The U.S. dropped 17,500 bombs during its invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. It conducted 29,200 air strikes during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. U.S. air forces conducted at least another 3,900 air strikes in Iraq over the next eight years, before the Iraqi government finally negotiated the withdrawal of U.S. occupation forces. But that pales next to at least 38,100 U.S. air strikes in Afghanistan since 2002, a country already occupied by U.S. and NATO forces, with a government pledged by its U.S. overlords to bring peace and justice to its people.

The Obama administration is responsible for at least 18,274 air strikes in Afghanistan since 2009, including at least 1,160 by pilotless drones. The U.S. conducted at least 116 air strikes in Iraq in 2009 and about 1,460 of NATO’s 7,700 strikes in Libya in 2011. While the U.S. military does not publish figures on “secret” air and drone strikes in other countries, press reports detail a five-fold increase over Bush’s second term, with at least 303 strikes in Pakistan, 125 in Yemen and 16 in Somalia.

And now we have ISIS, luring our young men and women into radicalization, and drums are starting to beat for another war, luring our young men and women into combat. Brown bodies on both front lines.

It’s a long story, my son. Never Forget.

0 Shares

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

Related Topics:9/11 death Drones Islam muslims Never Forget pakistan Pakistan Army Taliban TTP U.S. Foriegn Policy war on terror

Up Next

Official Statement of Dr Bilal Philips on his arrest in Philippines

Don't Miss

What’s The Matter? | Attempted Suicide

Hena Zuberi

Hena Zuberi is the Editor in Chief of Muslimmatters.org. She leads the DC office of the human rights organization, Justice For All, focusing on stopping the genocide of the Rohingya under Burma Task Force, advocacy for the Uighur people with the Save Uighur Campaign and Free Kashmir Action. She was a Staff Reporter at the Muslim Link newspaper which serves the DC Metro. Hena has worked as a television news reporter and producer for CNBC Asia and World Television News. Active in her SoCal community, Hena served as the Youth Director for the Unity Center. Using her experience with Youth, she conducts Growing Up With God workshops. hena.z@muslimmatters.org Follow her on Twitter @henazuberi.

30 Comments

John Howard

September 11, 2014 at 7:20 PM

Can I make a couple of observations here? The comment about brown people keeps being an underlining theme throughout her discourse. Why is that? It is a delination between the “whites “and the “browns”. Nowhere does she mention the fact that there in the US they are all supposed to be all Americans but I sense a stong separation in her mind between the two colours. In fact she does not recognise that she is an American. She seems ro me that she defines herself as a brown person but nowhere as an American. Does she feel she is an American? I wonder?
Because you see the one over riding factor that is still THE concern in the west is are you Americans/British/Western first or will you always support the Ummah over the countries that give you protection, sustenance, security and freedom. It doesn’t go away no matter how you may hope it does. Loyalty to the state is a paramount bastion of why there are nations We may not agree with all the actions of the government at the time but all of us are expected to be loyal to the country and the people of the country NOT to an outside group. If we dislike or even hate actions of governments then we have the process of voting them out which is the greatest act that we have.
I do expect to be shouted down here but as a non muslim but these are the factors that arise in conversation among us “kuffars”. I know muslims keep saying they shouldn’t have to prove their loyalty but the reality is you do. It is perhaps unfair and for the vast majority of you it is true but the acts done in your religion’s name is what we see and in many cases the deafening silence from moderate muslims

Reply
- ZAI
  
  September 12, 2014 at 5:27 PM
  
  Mr. John Howard,
  My brother in humanity….I often agree with you and you make a lot of valid
  points regarding Islam, Muslims or the false dichotomy of civilizational conflict
  a lot of extremists from all sides engage in. You’re really off the mark here tho
  brother.
  
  Author has not stated or even hinted at any kind of segregation from the national
  mainstream, let alone disloyalty, pan-Islamism or disdain for non-Muslims.
  If anything she is pointing out the REALITY that many Muslims happen to be
  “brown” and are based on that stereotype and many others, sometimes
  singled out for abuse. I don’t know if you live in the United States, but skin color
  playing a part in acts of abuse is very common. Sikhs, who aren’t even Muslim,
  have been targeted for acts of violence based on ignorant stupid stereotypes and
  I’d be surprised if anyone need to even be presented with evidence of what
  African Americans go through on a daily basis. Refer to the recent incident in
  Ferguson, MO if you do need an example though.
  
  Sister is expressing regret that her son, who is “brown” skinned and might have a
  beard, will unfortunately be subjected to stereotypes and abuse for a crime
  that he didn’t commit nor will ever support. Based on ignorance, assumptions
  of collective guilt and ridiculous stereotypes.The question is not only if WE
  see ourselves as citizens and part of the western societies in which we live, but
  ALSO if others see us that way as individuals. Sorry man, but many don’t. Her
  point is valid and stands.
  
  Reply
  - John Howard
    
    September 12, 2014 at 10:25 PM
    
    Thank you for your comments. As I expected I have received a lot of negatives but you are looking from a muslim perspective as i look at it from a non muslim one. Whether you like it or not you as a majority have to understand that there is a very strong feeling or perception of mistrust towards the followers of your religion. Every day we see on our news media showing the excesses of islam in Syria Nigeria Libya etc. Now you can claim that this is all one perspective that is anti islam but the facts are these excesses are not anti bias but reality.
    The over riding fear in non muslims is you do not believe as a true muslim in democracy it is not part of your core belief in your faith. You do not as a true muslim believe in the separation of powers between faith and state.
    The state is not perfect but is the glue that allows all people of all colours faiths and beliefs to live together in a more or less harmonious manner. A religious state by its very concept cannot do that because regardless of what faith is in power it will always discriminate against minorities. It will demand that the overiding laws are based on the one criteria – theirs. We in the west have spent centuries in blood and gold to get to the level that we have today. You would have to agree that living in the west is a far better prospect for everyone than that in muslim countries why else have tens of millions of millions of you have fled here?
    The basic tenet that we ask for ALL migrants and citizens is a respect for that acceptance of the the core values that we espouse. We want no we demand that equality must be in all aspects from religion to colour and colour is the easiest one to understand because it is the easiest to see and discriminate against. Western countries have bent over backwards in the last 40 years or so to rise above this discrimination. We have enacted laws to make this a crime and more so a hate crime. We try to teach our children and ourselves to see past the colour of a person’s skin and see the person. I really don’t believe that this woman has arrived at this . There is still the underlying belief that you are the victims and frankly it has become not only tiring but really irritating in the extreme. After 9/11 in New York and 7/7 in London there were racial acts against muslims but taken in the context of what happened it was very very mild. Compare the number of killings of mulsims in the US and the UK for these outrages to the deaths and riots in the middle east over the burning of the quran. The fact is the west has acted with amazing restraint towards its muslim citizens. yes you have have been spied on and your privacy invaded but let us be fair the acts by members of your faith were hardly mild.
    I am British and proudly so. I accept people regardless of their colour and I am trying to accept and understand your faith even though I have received a lot of discrimination from the followers of islam. While you continue to believe you are the victims you will continue to be treated not only as the usual suspects but also as the enemy. We have empowered you with protection from our extremists we now expect you to return the same favour.
    Here in Britain we have had more people join the jihadists in Syria than have joined the British Army. Can you see why we have this distrust ? Both here and the US there has been very strong efforts to unite you with us but again this lady and so many of you choose to differentiate yourselves from the rest of us.
    I don’t know if the basic tenet of your religion and state are one can be surmounted but if we are to live in peace and some harmony then it has to be faced and you as a minority and that is what you are will have to come to a compromise. And the start can be with and you will excuse my language the bullshit regarding colour as the start.
    
    Reply
  - ZAI
    
    September 13, 2014 at 7:01 AM
    
    Mr Howard,
    We are speaking here about the authors concerns over racism-colorism affecting innocent Muslims, including possibly her son. If you want to talk about separation of church and state, the need for Muslims to accept it’s non-negotiability in the West, as well as certain non-negotiables such as freedom of speech, gender equity, etc. in the West…those are different subjects. In fact I’d probably agree with your sentiments more than I would the stances of many theocratic or politically orientated Muslims.
    
    She has made no wrong point simply bringing up the pertinent issue of racial stereotyping though. The fact that it isn’t mandated by law or that it is an exception rather than the norm doesn’t mean it isn’t a factor at all and that she shouldn’t worry whatsoever. Again, please refer to the recent case of police brutality in Ferguson, MO or google what African Americans call “the talk” that all African American parents must give their male children on dealing with government authority. It is disingenuous sir, to ask all minorities to bury those concerns or be quiet about them simply because it isn’t the official law of the land or not something done by the majority. She has a right to that sentiment as a practical reality…not because she’s playing the victim card as it were. A concern isn’t a condemnation of the whole sir.
    
    Not being an American, perhaps you don’t fully understand the depth of racism’s entrenchment in many segments of this society. This is a nation sir, where NRA supporters, bigots, militarists, and conspiracy nuts have held rallies declaring our president to be a traitor, foreign born, socialist “Hitler” and are still demanding to see his birth certificate…and that’s the PRESIDENT, let alone Muslims, Sikhs or whomever. I don’t know what the dynamics are in England…based on what little I know I’d most likely agree with you that there is a serious problem in the Muslim community there that is completely disproportionate to their demographic numbers.It is disconcerting to read how many British Muslims have supported or even joined ISIS compared to countries like the US, Germany or France where the Muslim population is much higher. I don’t know what the reasons for this are and wouldn’t conjecture. Maybe you can enlighten me.
    
    In any case, you cannot gauge the loyalties of entire populations sir, especially living in a free society. I am sure many white British folk have also opposed British military policy and not joined the British armed forces. That is hardly a gauge of loyalty to citizenship in a free democracy that has a professional army. There ARE many Muslims serving in the American armed forces by the way. The question is whether Muslims support certain non-negotiable like separation of church and state and freedom of speech, and whether they support the civil-democratic process and institutions. I’m sure that’d be a great discussion, so would be glad to have it. For the purposes of this article though, I see nothing wrong in what the author said.
    
    Reply
  - M. Mahmud
    
    September 14, 2014 at 1:11 PM
    
    Greetings John Howard
    
    “The over riding fear in non muslims is you do not believe as a true muslim in democracy it is not part of your core belief in your faith. You do not as a true muslim believe in the separation of powers between faith and state.”
    
    Muslims do not believe any other legislative system except that which is imposed by Allah is acceptable. There is no such thing as separation of church and state. Those who call to such are disbelievers whether they claim they are Muslims or not.
    
    Even as early as the time of an-Nabi (sallahualayhiwasalam) a man was executed by Umar RA after he sought a judgement other than Allah’s.The first leader after the death of an-Nabi sallahualayhiwasalam is Abu Bakr RA and he literally fought and killed the people who refused to pay the religiously mandated tax known as zakat. And the consensus of the companions of the Prophet sallahualayhiwasalam and that of the scholars of this nation is that an open apostate is to be executed. That clearly isn’t anything of the separation of masjid and state you’d prefer. History speaks quite clearly on this matter.
    
    Perhaps you should consider if you are fearing the wrong thing. Perhaps secularism really isn’t the best idea? Consider that.
    
    Reply
    - John Howard
      
      September 16, 2014 at 9:07 AM
      
      All I can hope for then is that you are a very tiny minority because what you are advocating is confirming that we non believers fear most . If as you say that muslims to be true muslims must stand by Islamic law over man made law then how can you live in OUR societies and expect to be trusted or accepted? What this portends for the future between your culture bodes ill for peaceful relations between us
      
      Reply
  - M. Mahmud
    
    September 17, 2014 at 5:56 PM
    
    “All I can hope for then is that you are a very tiny minority because what you are advocating is confirming that we non believers fear most . If as you say that muslims to be true muslims must stand by Islamic law over man made law then how can you live in OUR societies and expect to be trusted or accepted? What this portends for the future between your culture bodes ill for peaceful relations between us”
    
    Hope is a thing with feathers and while this bird is perched on your shoulder it will soon, whenever Allah wills, fly away. Because as more Muslims become aware of their religion, in tandem they will also reject man made laws because they are commanded to by their Lord. You can invade Muslim countries, you can keep Muslims uneducated and you and strive to cause failure to Allah’s religion but no matter what your efforts are their will always be Muslims who will follow the path of their earliest predecessors, the companions of an-Nabi sallahualayhiwasalam and struggle to establish Allah’s religion on the earth even though the disbelievers may hate it.
    
    I advise you to stop dreading this inevitable outcome and consider for a moment that perhaps you are on the wrong side of history.
    
    Reply
    - Aly Balagamwala
      
      September 18, 2014 at 1:41 AM
      
      This thread is drifting too far from the subject matter of this post so consider further comments on this thread closed.
      
      Best Regards
      Aly
      
      CommentsTeam Lead
      
      Reply
- Hena Zuberi
  
  September 12, 2014 at 10:53 PM
  
  Hi john this was written by me a few years ago. Hope it answers a few of your questions.
  http://muslimmatters.org/2011/09/14/home-is-where-the-heart-is-an-american-muslim-mourns-on-911-2/
  
  Reply
  - John Howard
    
    September 12, 2014 at 11:59 PM
    
    I am very pleased to read what you wrote previously . Please read my second missive regarding my concerns as well. The core issue as I said is still the demarkation between the state and the faith This is an issue that continues to be skirted around. Faith and state MUST be separate There can be no argument on this issue. As I said in my last post a secular state is the glue that holds ALL types together as a state/nation / society. No where in history has there been a religious state that could hold such a diversity of people fairly and equally Some may claim they did but only on the terms that were agregious to minorities in many ways. I do not doubt your love for the US but and this is the but do you love muslims (your umah) above the country that gives you that security and all the other atributes you want and accept. ?
    
    Reply
Abu Abdillah

September 11, 2014 at 9:26 PM

Wow, the color of your loved ones’ skin seems more a focal point than anything in spite of Allah’s statement: “Verily the most noble of you with Allah are the most pious.” However, these it days Islam is becoming viewed an ethnicity as opposed to a religion so I shouldn’t be surprised.

Reply
- A. F. Colak
  
  September 11, 2014 at 10:01 PM
  
  Your comment is idiotic, absurd, quite pointless and insensitive. Her mentioning the color of her son’s skin has nothing to do with her own views concerning skin color, nor any sort of association that she makes with skin color. Instead, it has to do with the fact that most Americans associate the looks of a person from the subcontinent, with terrorism, and many people, in her sons life will probably try to blame him for the atrocities committed on that day. What she is worried about is how she can prepare her son against the prejudices that he will face because of that skin color. How you can see some sort of relationship between the ayah you quoted and what was written in the article is beyond me.
  
  Reply
- Hena Zuberi
  
  September 12, 2014 at 11:15 AM
  
  Dear Brother in Islam,
  Please read poetry. If you haven’t read something poetic recently, pick up a book of verse. Not every written word is literal, there are often multiple layers of meaning.
  
  Reply
  - Abu Abdillah
    
    September 12, 2014 at 12:38 PM
    
    So what is the metaphoric meaning of brown skin? And, I have studied both English and Arabic–pre-Islamic and Islamic–poetry as well as other forms of literature and have yet to come across a phrase so blatantly literal that it is nevertheless somehow figurative.
    
    Reply
nadia

September 12, 2014 at 2:37 AM

I too as a muslim thought it was strange how the word brown kept coming up. But apart from that any muslim is muslim first no matter what, it unites humanity whichever country you are from. That is exactly the point. God is a higher authority than any state. And I never label “the west” as “kuffar” as it means people who have after knowing Islam is the truth, reject it. I don’t know about anyone else but I think only Allah, the knower of the hearts, can make that call.

Reply
- GC
  
  September 12, 2014 at 6:16 PM
  
  Rejection of Islam does not make one a kuffir.
  
  Rejection of God’s message to humanity is what makes one kuffir(or rejection of God period)
  
  Reply
  - M. Mahmud
    
    September 13, 2014 at 6:16 PM
    
    As for 9/11-ALL innocent victims will be given their full dues on yawm al Qiyamah. The people who are going to Jahannam who were wronged in this life will get their full dues and the people who are going to Paradise who were wronged in this life will get their full dues. Everything will be dealt with to the extent that the case of animals will be settled.
    
    We Muslims should not be afraid of those who blame Islam for the injustices and transgressions of criminal Muslims. Rather, anyone bringing this up to us has given us a dawah opportunity. I think this is what we are forgetting more than anything. WHY, WHY, is it always a means of self defense? We say, “hey, you committed atrocities too!” We say, “yes, deviated Muslims committed these acts but you cannot blame our faith!” Lets use this as an opportunity to remind them of the day we will meet Allah.
    
    GC-Islam IS God’s message to humanity and the consensus not just of the scholars but of all of the Sahaba RA is that anyone rejecting Islam is a kaffir. There’s narrations on how the Sahaba RA labelled disbelievers as kuffar and even went as far as declaring dead disbelievers(not just Firaun, Abu Lahab and those specifically mentioned in the Quran as going to hell) as companions of the fire. This is the way of the Sahaba RA. No amount of dislikes is going to change that. We are close to the hour so why not adopt their method of speech instead of that which seems convenient now? an-Nabi sallahualayhiwasalam was both a mercy to non believers and a warner of severe punishment. We are following his sunnah until the day of standing which is ever coming close-why not aim for his example of balance in this matter?
    
    Reply
    - GC
      
      September 16, 2014 at 8:07 AM
      
      “people of the Book” are not kuffar. Some are astray and some transgress, but even so, some of them will be pardoned by God on Judgment Day and enter into Jannah because they knew no better in this life.
      
      In order for one to reject Islam, they must fully understand the message within the Quran. A general acknowledgement of Islam and thus rejecting it because one is Christian or Jewish will not necessarily land one in hell for all or eternity.
      
      They worship the same God as we do, but they have been corrupted and lost their way.
      
      It is entirely up to Allah if they should reside in hell(for a period of time)or be granted Jannah.
      
      Our books(of deeds) and intercession of our prophet(should need be) will be heavy factors determining our fate upon Judgment Day.
      
      Rejection of God and the judgment in the hereafter is the appropriate term “kuffar” for those without faith.
      
      This is my opinion from my studies as a Muslim and to what Allah tells us through the message within the Quran
      
      Reply
- M. Mahmud
  
  September 12, 2014 at 10:04 PM
  
  Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh sister
  
  One small correction-kafir doesn’t just refer to someone who knows Islam is the truth and rejects it, it also refers to those who reject Islam after it comes to them whether they simply don’t believe Islam is the truth or they believe the truth lies somewhere else. They are all disbelievers. For example, a Christian could hear of Islam and still believe an-Nabi sallahualayhiwalam was a liar and that his pastor is telling the truth and he is still a kaffir because of his association with Allah and rejecting the final Messenger sallahualayhiwasalam to all of humanity even after Islam came to him.
  
  Secondly, this attitude of “we won’t label them kuffar” has absolutely no basis in the Sunnah of an-Nabi sallahualayhiwasalam and Sahabah RA who did call disbelievers kuffar and even went as far as saying their dead will be in the fire. So while I understand this non judgemental attitude of yours well intentioned, it has no basis in the guidance sent down to us. I can cite a plethora of examples on the top of my head from ayat, ahadith, and so on.
  
  “But apart from that any muslim is muslim first no matter what, it unites humanity whichever country you are from. That is exactly the point. God is a higher authority than any state. ”
  
  I agree completely sister. Blood is thicker than water and deen is tighter than blood. We have a universal connection that transcends time and space. The people who followed Nuh alayhisalam are as much our brothers and sisters as any Muslim alive today.
  
  Reply
Nasir Hussain

September 12, 2014 at 6:37 AM

People always have to look at things literally. Perhaps we should firstly thank the writer for such a thought provoking article and may Allah grant all the innocent Muslims the highest of Jannah.

Reply
Aisha

September 12, 2014 at 9:14 AM

Her son will grow up as a brown bearded man? So you have decided for him that he will keep a beard? I found that strange.

Reply
- Hena Zuberi
  
  September 12, 2014 at 10:59 AM
  
  ‎No :) I didn’t decide that my son will keep a beard. I am teaching him to love & emulate the Prophet ﷺ. May Allah grant him this sunnah.
  
  Thank you for reading.
  
  Reply
Samira Khan

September 12, 2014 at 11:11 AM

I graduated with Rahma from Wellesley and also have many vivid memories of her. I was fortunate to be in the same dorm as her senior year and we often ate and laughed together. I also remember being formally introduced to Micky. Subhan’Allah, there is a certain kind of ache and pain that constantly stays with you when a friend the same age as you dies so suddenly. I think it is a reminder of the temporal nature of life in this dunya. In the end, we just miss our friend and pray to be reunited one day iA. Alhamdo lilla, we only die once and sometimes I think we should feel more remorse for ourselves and how we are living than the remorse we feel for some who have passed on. We also must always remind ourselves to be content with Allah’s decrees, for He is the best of planners. Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raaji’oon.

Reply
- Hena Zuberi
  
  September 12, 2014 at 11:19 AM
  
  Samira Khan…. ISI? SubhanAllah.
  
  Reply
snoozer

September 12, 2014 at 1:45 PM

I spoke about this blogs fixation on brown and white skin on the topic about Middle Eastern liquor store owners in Ferguson. This skin fixation is a product of Americanizing (specifically something African Americans are doing here) of Islam, it has nothing to do with traditional Islam, but a product of American/Western liberal indoctrination. Its basic goal is to make white people feel guilty for stuff they never did, and makes the brown people think they are perfect and worthy of worship. It is bizarre, and blacks aren’t the only ones guilty, a lot of first generation Muslims have fallen prey to it.

Reply
Pingback: NEVER FORGET: MY SON’S 9/11 HOMEWORK PROJECT – REMEMBERING WHAT THEY WANT US TO FORGET | PASS THE KNOWLEDGE (LIGHT & LIFE)
- ZAI
  
  September 13, 2014 at 7:13 AM
  
  “his cousin was killed because Uncle Kaleem is an army man who works to protect the land where my mother lives, by groups who are “against those officers and ministers who are American by hearts and minds and Pakistani just by faces.”
  
  There is the question though, of why that same army is SUPPORTING that thinking when it comes to neighboring states? Until the Pakistani army changes it’s calculation, or is FORCED to by the Pakistani population, that terrorism is wrong in Pakistan but ok as a “security” policy to secure national interest in neighboring countries…many more will be victims and many more fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents and children will mourn. It is insanity to think these fanatics can be utilized abroad, but the land of origin will stay safe from the fires they start.
  
  Reply
  - Hena Zuberi
    
    November 13, 2014 at 12:53 PM
    
    You are on point with salam
    
    Reply
Saf

September 16, 2014 at 1:40 PM

Brother Zai, simple post but to the point. Its the same hypocrisy that all are pointing out.That the Gulf countries practice entrenched racism against non Arabs,and there is hardly any protest against the arabs.They do not even have labor laws that grant equality and safety, and are practicing modern slavery.Immigrants on a work visa have to surrender their passports ! They do not have a concept of citizenship for non-emiratis or non-saudis.Dubai, btw,has the largest concentration of forced prostitutes in 1 single Asian city !
How many muslim bodies have raised even a small revolt or an NGO to combat this systematic discrimination, which is anathema to Islam? But its the v same Arabs who scream ‘racism’,’islamophobia’ here in the west.How much respect to other religions have in arab countries? The poisonous discourse against coptics is very well known, let alone how ahmadis,sikh,hindus and shias are targeted for killing or their women kidnapped for forced conversions in Pakistan.
What is food for the goose, becomes food for the gander perhaps ?
Sister Henna Zuberi’s article is praise worthy that she showed 2 sides, that nobody is exactly right and everybody is somewhere wrong. That muslims follow muslims more and less of Islam today, that their collective goodness of heart is lost. Righteousness is individual after all so it alone is not enough to create a just world.

Reply
Bint Yususf

September 17, 2014 at 7:24 PM

Jazakillah khayr sister, a thought provoking article.

Reply