Scene Seven, After School.

Part One:  Dress Shopping.

Jehan: Finally, Fatima!  We're at the mall, get out of the car quick.

Fatima: Well, where are we going?

Jehan: It's a surprise!  But I have to go pick something up first, okay?

Fatima: That's fine, I have to get home by 6 though, okay?

Jehan:  For sure we'll get home by 6!  When can you not depend on me, you know how responsible I am!

Fatima:  Great, we're at Macy's and we have 2 and a half hours left.  What did you have to pick up?

Jehan:  Well, I already picked YOU up a boy, now we gotta pick you up a dress!

Fatima:  [flabbergasted] WHAT?! A Prom dress?!  For me?  I thought you were picking something up for yourself!

Jehan: Well it turns out I am picking YOU up a dress!  Connor Daveys is asking you tomorrow, and you know….you're gonna say yes, and what else to get you even more excited than buying, or at least picking out, the dress you wanna wear!

Fatima:  But Jehan, I didn't decide if I want to go with him or not!  Dude—you know my parents just as well as I do and you know they will flip if they find out!

Jehan:  And I already told you Fatima! There is no reason that they have to find out about this!   About any of this!  You're gonna go to Prom, have Connor Daveys as your escort, anddddddd you're gonna and win Prom Queen!!  [looking at Fatima expectantly, Fatima doesn't say anything, pause] Come on!  Stop being such a party pooper!  It's time to loosen up and let go, live a little, hello!!

Part Two:  Samina Pays a Visit.

[Doorbell rings]

Mariam:  Samina!  Assalamu alaykum!  How are you doing?

Samina:  I'm okay, Alhamdulillah in every situation.  How are you?

Mariam: Alhamdulillah, just great…..[bright mood faltering] oh, didFatima not tell you about the Ahmeds?

Samina:  No, she didn't say anything.  Is she home?

Mariam:  No she's not, I was just gonna ask you why you were here.

Samina:  Well, I had to tell her something, and I wanted to talk to her in person.

Mariam:  She's coming home around 6, Jehan called and told my mom that they were going to the mall.  The mall on a school day, I have no clue what is going on these days!   [pause, concerned]  Samina, is there something wrong?

Samina:  Hm?  Um…….I don't know.  [stammering and talking quickly] It's just Jehan, and Fatima, and what's going on at school, and boys, and Prom, and…..

Mariam: Whoa whoa whoa, what?

Samina:  You know what?  I think you're the only one that can help.  Can I talk to you?

Mariam:  Yeah sure, you know you can come to me whenever you need to.  Let's go upstairs.

[In Mariam's room]

Mariam:  Okay, you can sit here on the bed if you want.

Samina:  Thanks.

Mariam:  Okay, buddy, let it out.  I'm all ears.

Samina:  Alright, I just want to say this before though, just to make sure.  I'm not doing this to be a tattle-tail and I'm definitely not doing this to gossip.  I know we're not supposed to talk about others behind their backs…

Mariam:  –unless you're trying to get help from someone, yeah I know.

Samina:  I think you're the only person who can help me.  So that's why I'm coming to you.

Mariam:  Okay, good.  I'm glad we have that clarified.  Now can you just hurry up and tell me, WHAT IS GOING ON?!

Part Three:  Dress Shopping.

[Going through dresses on racks]

Jehan:  So, I need to buy my dress too.

Fatima:  Wait, are you going with anyone?

Jehan:  No, I'm not.

Fatima:  What! You're not going with anyone, but you're making me go with Connor Daveys?

Jehan:  Well, I am going with someone.  But he's from a different school.

Fatima:  Oh.

Jehan:  Yeah, you know the Zaffar family?  I'm going with their son.

Fatima:  What, your date is Muslim?!

Jehan:  Yeah, better for me, we know how to stay within the limits, you know?

Fatima:  NO! I don't know! Because that's completely out of bounds in the first place!

Jehan:  Oh hush up, Fatima.  You never have any fun, it's because you don't know how to.  Your kids will never have fun either.  Look, this pink color is so pretty!

Fatima:  So how are you going to wear the dress if it's like…so sleeveless?

Jehan:  I don't know.  If I can find a short jacket, you know those cropped ones?  If I can find one, I'll wear it over, otherwise I might just wear a shawl or something….or I just won't wear anything.  I don't really care.  Especially after dancing I'll get hot and want to take it off anyways.

Fatima:  Well…I know that you don't care, but I have to wear something over.

Jehan:  You have that black jacket right?  The cropped one.  Let's just find a dress that'll match with that!  Okay, the fitting room is right there, go try those on, I'm coming. Let me see, let me see!

Fatima:  The black one, I dunno it's kinda tight and it's like gripping me in weird places.

Jehan:  You mean it's gripping in the RIGHT places.  You look totally amazing.  That looks like the dress that Miley Cyrus wore to the awards show last month.  Whoa, you look so good!  All the guys are gonna die when they see you in that!  They'll totally vote for you!

Fatima: Um….no…stop being gross.  I don't want to get votes because people think I look nice.  This feels nasty.  And I feel like a cow.

Jehan:  Maybe you should stop eating like a cow.

Fatima:  [laughing] Excuse me?  I should stop what-ing?

Jehan: [laughing] That's right!  Everyone goes on a diet before Prom.

Fatima:  Everyone goes on a diet before Prom…?

Jehan:  Yeah, they diet so that they can look good in their dress!  You know, just like everyone goes on a diet before they get married.

Fatima:  Tell me you're kidding!  This is so stupid!  No one's getting married!  Are you dieting?

Jehan:  Yeah, I stopped eating candy.

Fatima:  Oh, what a cut-back.

Jehan:  Hey, man!  It is a sacrifice, why don't you try not eating candy for a whole month?!

Fatima:  Whoa, you're dieting for a whole month?

Jehan:  Yeah, how does that saying go again?  Beauty hurts.  Beauty is painful….Pain is beautiful…Or something…

Fatima:  Well, I dunno I do feel kinda fat…especially in some of these dresses.  It's like you have to be a stick to fit this stuff….a stick with curves!

Jehan:  Look at this blue one on me, how does it look?

Fatima:  It looks nice.  The top is a little scandalous…

Jehan:  The top was my favorite part. ;)

Fatima: Great.  What about this gray one?

Jehan:  It looks pretty good, it's less tight than the last one.  I dunno, do you feel royal in it?

Fatima:  You mean, does it feel like I can be crowned Prom Queen in it?

Jehan:  Yeah, that's exactly what I mean.

Fatima:  [looking in the mirror]  Hm..I don't know what I picture myself winning in.  [dejected] I don't know if I can even picture myself winning at all.

Jehan: [sensing Fatima becoming disheartened, comes over to her to look in the mirror] Well, I definitely am getting a royal vibe out of that one!  You know, I really think you can win.  I REALLY think it's totally possible!   Especially if you do what you gotta do tomorrow after school, it can really happen!  Can you imagine?!  YOU winning Prom Queen?!  That would be so crazy and sooo awesome!  It's totally possible!

Fatima:  Ugh.  Who knows.  You know what for sure is impossible?  Paying for this dress, come on, let's go…I have to get home.

Jehan:  Okay, but can you promise me something?

Fatima:  [tired] Maybe, depends on what it is.  What?

Jehan:  Think about what's important to you, and make your decisions based off that.  We're in the final stretch 'til Prom, only 5 days away.  You've given so much time and done so much for the school, and now you've been so invested in this competition.  It's time for you to take your crown at all costs.  In the end, once you've been crowned, it'll all be worth it.  Think it over, 'kay?

Fatima:  Thanks, Jehan.  I'll think about it.  Now get me home before I get in trouble.

Jehan:  Yeah, yeah.

[Run off stage]

Part Four:  Mariam Talks Back.

Mariam:  SubhanAllah!  Oh my gosh! What has been happening, right under my nose?! Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?!

Samina:  Well I didn't know what to do!  It happened all at once…And me and Fatima were fighting, so…I just didn't know!

Mariam:  It's okay, I'm glad that you came to me now, better late than never.  Okay, so you said she's running for PROM QUEEN.

Samina: Yes.

Mariam:  She's best friends with our cousin Jehan now.

Samina:  Yeah.

Mariam:  What a great influence that girl is. …Okay you said this Connor fool is asking her to prom, when, tomorrow after school?

Samina: Yeah,  that's what Fatima told me.

Mariam:  Okay, well…I mean, I can understand.  High School is a really hard time, and it's just so difficult to you know, not let stuff get to you.  I had my own problems in high school.

Samina:  Really?! Like what?!

Mariam: Well there was some stuff like being in band and having friends that were guys and just…some stuff.  Yeah…but we're not talking about me, we're talking about Fatima.

Samina:  Yeah, so I talked to her today when she told me about Connor Daveys, and she seemed unsure of whether she was going to say yes or if she was gonna say no.

Mariam:  I see.  Could you figure out the reasons that she was trying to make her decision based off of?

Samina:  Yeah, she didn't want to get in trouble with your parents and I think that she thinks it's wrong too, but she also knows that it might help her win Prom Queen.

Mariam:  Okay I still can't believe that she's running from Prom Queen.  That's so foolish of her.  Didn't she realize all the things that she'd have to do?  Like actually GO to the Prom to PICK UP the ridiculous crown if she won?!  And what if she won, what would she do about the King and Queen dance?!  She got so blinded somehow, I don't know how she thought she could run for Prom Queen…

Samina:  Well here's the thing….she……likes Connor Daveys.

Mariam:  [exasperated]  WHO is this Connor Daveys and WHY do we have to keep calling him by his full name?!  Can't we just call him Connor!!!!!???? [Samina is taken aback, pause] Sorry about that.  So Fatima likes him…..?  Since when?

Samina:  Since last year.

Mariam:  He's like THE guy, huh?  The guy that all the girls dream about…?

Samina:  Pretty much.

Mariam:  Great.  You know what, I think this actually simplifies matters, I think she'll say no, and I know how to get her to say to no to this Connor Daveys.

Samina:  REALLY?  You think you know how to?

Mariam:  Yeah, getting asked will be the straw that breaks the camel's back.  I knowFatima, she might do some dumb stuff sometimes, but when it comes to guys she stays pretty clean.  If she says no to Connor, then I think she'll probably drop 0ut of the Prom Queen running.  And this will also get her to see that she was wrong and that she needs to come back and apologize to you, I hate seeing you guys fighting!

Samina:  Do you really think that this is gonna work?

Mariam:  Yeah, I do.  InshaAllah it works out.  Make dua for her, okay?

Samina:  Yeah, of course I will.  Do you know what you're gonna do to convince her?

Mariam:  No, I'm still thinking it over, but it has to be good.

Samina:  Hey…um…can I talk to you about something else too?

Mariam:  [overly dramatic] Are you kidding me, there's MORE?  How can there possibly be more?!

Samina:  No…it's not about Fatima, it's about me.

Mariam: ….of course go ahead, is everything okay?

Samina:  Besides Fatima, yeah.  But…I'm thinking….I'm thinking….all this Prom Queen stuff and everything…..It's got me thinking about who I am and how I present myself to others, I'm thinking about starting to wear the hijab.

Mariam:  ALLAHU AKBAR!! NO WAY?!  [gets up to give her a hug]

Samina:  Yeah, seriously.

Mariam: Do you mean like you're just thinking or you're like actually gonna do it soon?

Samina:  I think I'm gonna do it soon, like SOON soon, inshaAllah.  Like before graduation, so that I can have pictures that I can show people years later.

Mariam:  [laughing]  Good thinking! Wow, that is so tight!  MashaAllah, I'm so happy for you!  It took me til college to start wearing hijab…a little late, but alhamdulillah!

Samina:  Oh yeah, you started wearing it in college!  I forgot.  It seems like you've worn it forever, it's totally a part of who you are.  [getting up to leave]  I know that all of this Prom Queen business is just like bad news, but…out of everything bad there's something good…and I think me wanting to wear hijab might be the good.

Mariam:  Hey, don't limit it to that!  I'm hoping that there will be much more good coming out of this experience, inshaAllah.  See you soon, okay?  Let me know when you start wearing hijab!!  You're gonna look so beautiful, so much MORE beautiful.  It might be hard at first, but believe me, if you're doing it for the right reasons, if you're doing it to obey and please Allah, you'll find that it'll make you feel more beautiful than you've ever felt before.

Samina:  InshaAllah it'll be amazing once I start.  Okay I gotta get out of here!  Assalamu alaykum!

Mariam:  Tell your mom that I said salaams.  Walaykum assalam! [Samina exits] Alhamdulillah, I'm so happy for Samina!  But here we go…time to figure out how to deal with Fatima….

Part Five:  Mariam's Story.

Mariam: [rehearsing to herself, pacing]  Well, you can't go with a boy, boys have cooties!  No…she's not Booger!  Only Booger still thinks boys have cooties.  [smacking herself] Not Booger, Bilkis!! Okay…boys are dangerous!  They only think about one thing!  Okay no no, this is the wrong approach!  Hm…what about …why would you want to be Prom Queen?  It's so shallow!  It's just a beauty pageant!  Stop trying to be like those fake girls who prance around school and put everyone down.  Ugh….Prom is for losers!  And Prom is gross, people dance really nasty, do you really want to see that and be a part of that?!

[Enter Fatima, walking across stage and into her room, other half of the stage.]

Fatima:  I'm home!! [She sets herself up at her desk, etc. to do her homework]

Mariam:  Oh!  She's home!  Ya Allah please help me!  I still don't really know what to say to her!  I have to do this perfectly, strategically, otherwise she'll totally catch on to me!  I don't know what I'm gonna do, I'm so nervous.  This is what it means to be an older sister….ahhh!  Well…I guess I just have to go do it.  Allah, please help me!!

[Knocks on door]

Fatima:  Come in!

[Enter Mariam]

Mariam:  Assalamu alaykum kiddo.  I was wondering if you've seen my pin, you know the fancy one?

Fatima:  For your scarf?

Mariam:  Yeah for my scarf.  Dude….I didn't tell you cuz you are so M.I.A. these days, but…I'm going out to dinner on Saturday night with the Ahmeds and their son, and Mom and Dad are coming too of course.

Fatima:  Oh my gosh!  Are you serious?  So they liked you?

Mariam:  I guess…he…well…[blushing]…I think so, and he seems like a good guy.  I just need to get to know him a little more.

Fatima:  Well, that's exciting!

Mariam: Yeah, I would've told you earlier, but you were at the mall!  Who goes to the mall on a school day?

Fatima:  Yeah, I dunno it was pretty stupid for me to go today, especially since I have so much stuff to do for school.  But Jehan asked me to go with her so I did.

Mariam:  You seem to be spending a lot of time with our cousin, and I've barely seen Samina lately, or heard anything about her.

Fatima:  [stalling] Yeah…well…Samina is busy with trying to finish her arts showcase at school and I have all this volunteering to do for the student body government.   It's coming towards the end of the year, everyone gets really busy.

Mariam:  How many weeks of school do you guys have left again?

Fatima:  We've got 4 full weeks after this week is over.

Mariam:  Man, that is so crazy!  I can't believe you guys are graduating already!  It's so exciting!  Let me tell you, college is wayyy better than high school.  You don't have to go to class every day, there aren't any bells to dictate your life.  You don't have homework, well at least not really.  You get to do cool stuff on campus, not lame stuff.  Oh, and there isn't that crazy pressure to be like everyone else…you get to leave all those shallow people behind.  There aren't any dumb things like Prom or Homecoming…there is no Prom Queen and no Prom King.  You get to make friends that you will really keep and who are trying to achieve the same things in life as you are, not just being friends with the person who sits next to you in your English class.  Prom is soon, huh?  When is it?

Fatima:  This Saturday.

Mariam:  Oh…man we had the stupidest theme ever for our prom.  What's your theme this year?

Fatima:  Enchantment Under the Sea.

Mariam: [laughing]  That's almost worse than ours!

Fatima:  Why?  What was yours?

Mariam:  It was something like “An Evening in Verona”…Romeo and Juliet, you know.  An English teacher was in charge of the dance that year.  [looking around, speaking in a hushed voice] You know…I got asked to Prom that year?

Fatima:  [shocked]  WHAT?! Really?!  Are you kidding?  Tell me!

Mariam:  Yeah, I was shocked when it happened.  It was in one of my classes, too.  But I dunno…if I wanna tell you…

Fatima:  Come on!  Tell me already!

Mariam:  Okay, so there was this random guy from band, I hardly even knew him.  He dressed up as Romeo and came into the class with flowers.  And before he came in, he left a mask on my desk, you know how Romeo and Juliet met at a masquerade ball?  Well he left this note on the desk that said “For Juliet.”

Fatima:  No way!!  So what did you do?

Mariam: Well, I thought this whole thing was a joke, but then when he came into the class, I realized that it was serious.  So he came in and recited some lines from the play and then he asked me.  I did all that I could to keep from busting up from laughing, but it was so hard.

Fatima:  So what did you say?

Mariam:  I said, in front of the whole class! I said this…I said, “Sorry, Romeo, but Prom is lame and I'd never go with you or any other guy, ever.  Going to Prom stands against my personal beliefs, and I don't want to go to Prom anyways.”

Fatima:  Oh my gosh! You said that?

Mariam:  Yep…and then the poor guy turned around and walked out.  I know it was a little harsh, but, what can I say?  I wonder how I would have been asked if we had an “under the sea” theme, like you.  [imitating] Beautiful fish, wouldst thou accompany me-ist to the ball-eth?  [laughing]  That's so lame…but you know.  I actually did want to go to Prom, at some point.

Fatima:  Really?  YOU wanted to go to Prom?

Mariam:  Yeah, for a bit.  Especially when everyone was really excited about it.  When the theme was announced and when people started getting asked and when the Prom court running was happening.  I even wanted to be Prom Queen, I think every girl does, at least even a little.  To be that girl, who's beautiful and who everyone looks up to, a celebrity on campus.  Everyone wants that, you know, even if they don't admit it.

Fatima:  So when did all of that change?

Mariam:  Well, I realized…Prom and everything to do with it wasn't a part of me and who I am.  There's nothing wholesome about Prom or being Prom Queen.  It's just a bunch of high school nonsense…could I really see myself standing with Romeo in some pose while we were taking our Prom pictures?  Could I really see myself in the stunning dress, with all that make-up and the elaborate hair?  Could I really see myself dancing the night away, even if it was just me dancing with my girl friends?  Could I really see myself up there bursting into tears, getting crowned and making the acceptance speech?  No, I couldn't see myself doing any of that.  I realized, it wasn't a part of who I was, in fact that it was contradictory to who I was.  I wasn't just like every other girl in the school.  I was a strong individual who used Islam to define me…even though it didn't show in all of my actions because of my own faults and lack of understanding.  It was one of those defining moments in my life, something that made me realize who I was.  I realized then that I'm a Muslim, and that's who I want to be.  I don't care what other people around me are doing or what they have to think or say about me.  The only thing that mattered is what I think of myself and what Allah thinks of me.  It took such a long time to figure that out.  I wish I had figured it out sooner, but everything happens at the perfect time, that's just how our lives are planned out.  Anyways…….I have to go find that pin, my outfit for dinner has to get approved by Mom…you know what a struggle that can be!

Fatima:  Yeah…Mom…hahahahaha.  She's too harsh on you.  ….yeah, I have a test tomorrow, make dua for me!

Mariam:  Maybe you should stop chatting and get off of GTalk in the mean time, no?  Just talk to everyone at school tomorrow, seriously, is spending a whole day at school with people not enough?! You do have a lot to do, stop wasting your time and get your work done!  [exits]

Fatima: [falls back onto her bed screaming into a pillow] Ugh!  What am I going to do?!  And fine, Mariam is right, I have work to do.  No more chatting.  Time to get started on my history project.  [trying to find her book]  Where did I put it…?  I must've left it downstairs somewhere, I should go look for it.

[doorbell rings]

Fat&Mom:  GET THE DOOR!!

Part Six:  All About Booger.

[doorbell rings again, Mom is off-stage]

Mom:  [peeks out onto the stageGet the door Bilkis!  It's Jehan, she called and told me she'd come by. [Exits.]

Bilkis:  [Runs in from other side of stage]  Okay Mom! [opens door] Assalamu alaykum Jehan.

Jehan: Walaykum assalam Bilkis.  I have to go quickly, I came by just to drop off something for Fatima.  Please take this to her room.  I can trust you to take it there, right?

Bilkis: Of course.  But it's a dress or something?

Jehan:  Yes, it's a dress.  She asked to borrow it for something.  But it's a surprise, so don't tell anyone!

Bilkis:  Oh, okay.  Do you have to go now?

Jehan:  Yes, I'll see you later! [door closes]

Bilkis:  She is letting her borrow a dress?  [opens the thing a little to peak at it]  Wow!  It's so pretty.

Fatima [off-stage, about to walk in, voice getting louder]:  Mom!  Have you seen my history book, I can't find it!

Mom:  I saw it somewhere, give me a second and I'll come help you find it.  [Mom comes in view, looking around, not looking at Bilkis]  Bilkis, did Jehan leave already?

Bilkis:   Yes!

Mom:  Well, what did she want?

Bilkis:  [hiding dress behind back]  She was just dropping off something for school, it's nothing!  Fatima needs help finding her book!  [Mom exits, Bilkis talking to herself] I better get it upstairs before anyone sees.  Jehan did say it was a surprise.  Maybe I can take it into my room first and look at it.  I want to take it out and see the whole thing.  Fatima always has the prettiest clothes, and mine are always so ugly.  [in room, takes the dress out and looks at it]  Wow!  This is so pretty!  [takes it to the mirror and holds it up to her]  Fatima would look so good in this!  I wonder what she needs to wear it for.  [turns around to find the bag again] Oh, there's a note in here.  “A dress fit for royalty.  I believe in you.”  I wonder what that means.  Well this is so nice, I really want to try it on.  [Holding dress up to herself in the mirror again, doing her hair, etc.]

[Fatima off-stage]

Fatima:  Mariam!  Have you seen my book?  [walking around]

Mariam:  No!  I haven't, ask Bilkis

[Fatima walks by and peeks into the room]

Fatima:  What is Bilkis doing, she's wearing  a dress?  Who's dress is that…?  Oh, no!  Did Jehan drop off a dress for me to wear to Prom?  It is nice…but she shouldn't have.  That is really sweet of her though, she's trying everything she can to help me out!  [getting really angry and annoyed] But what is Bilkis doing?  She always wants to wear my clothes.  I know she's always rummaging around in my closet.  But why is she so obsessed with my clothes?  This is so annoying!

Mariam:  Bilkis, can you come here for a second?

[Fatima hides]

Bilkis:  Oh, no!  Mariam is calling me!  I hope no one sees this, I have to hide it or something, where can I put it away?  [stashes it somewhere] Coming!

[Fatima enters the room]

Fatima: Let me get a closer look at the dress.  [goes into the room]  This is a gorgeous dress. [holds up dress on herself and looks in mirror] …something just doesn't feel right about all of this.  [putting dress back and something catches her eye, quick turn of the head]  Booger left her diary out.   Hm…I know I shouldn't read it. But I'm her older sister.  I should know what's going on in her life and in her head.  Okay, this feels wrong, but… [looking back to see if Bilkis is coming and reads the page]  This entry is from…last week.  .

[Bilkis enters stage and is sharing her diary entry]

Bilkis:  Today was an okay day.  We did the usual in school, but PE was embarrassing though.  I got picked fifth from last for kickball and I was on Jeremy's team.  I don't like him, he's such a jerk.  He was so mean to me when I kicked the ball and someone caught it and I got out.  When I came home Mom said that the Ahmeds were coming over, they were coming to see if they like Mariam so they can marry her to their son.  Even I could tell that she was kind of nervous.  Mom kept bothering her about the way she looks.  I think Mariam looks nice, but Mom doesn't think so.  Mom never thinks Mariam looks nice.  I don't know why, but she's always fighting with Mariam about it.

I hope Mariam gets married soon, weddings are so much fun! Fatima was there when Mariam was getting ready.  She got mad at me because she thinks that I've been going through her closet, again.  I don't know how she always finds out, she's good.  I put everything back exactly the way it was before I take it, she must have a surveillance system up in her room or something, maybe she's hired spies.

I like the way I look in her clothes.  They make me feel grown up, like I'm a senior in high school, too.  Fatima is mean to me, but even though she can be mean, like when she calls me Booger, she is pretty cool.  She is in her school government and gets to do important jobs.  She goes on trips to cool places with different people from her school.  She has the greatest best friend.  Samina and her, they've been best friends since the 5^th grade!  I wonder if me and Noor will be best friends when we graduate from high school.  That would be so special!  And just like Fatima and Samina!  That really is like being best friends forever, they've been best friends for almost their whole lives!  I like to pretend that I will be just like Fatima when I'm in high school.  I can't wait to be all grown up and in 12^th grade and  have a car and drive and go to meetings and graduate and go to college and have cool friends.  It all seems so exciting.  I can see myself doing everything that she is doing when I'm her age.  Seeing all the things that she does gives me something to look forward to.  I'm just in the sixth grade, I have a lot of time left.  Anyways, Mom is calling me for dinner.  I'll write in you later!  P.S.  Even though Fatima is mean to me sometimes, it's okay.  I get it, I'm her “annoying little sister.”  And if Mariam does end up getting married, I'll really miss her.  I hope Fatima will start treating me more nicely once she's gone.”

Fatima:  Whoa.  I never knew that she thought of me in that way.  That's so strange…she looks up to me like none other.  She's basing her whole life off of what she thinks my life is like right now…Let me look at the entry before, here's one from—oh gosh!  I think she's coming back. [stashes diary and runs out]

[Enter Bilkis onto her part of the stage]

Bilkis:  Okay, phew.  Looks like everything is still here and good.  Let me put the dress in Fatima's room before she finds out that I was taking a look at it!  [picks up and the note falls out]  The note!  That was close.  I wonder what Jehan means by, “it's fit for royalty.”  But, it really feels like this dress is for a princess!!  Fatima WOULD get to wear something as pretty as this!

[Lights dim on Bilkis and open on Fatima, in her room]

Fatima:  I finally found my history book!  Oh, and Bilkis finally brought Jehan's dress to my room.  I hate it when she puts stuff on my bed, I always tell her to never put anything there!  Oh my gosh!  I didn't even think about it—I wonder what Bilkis thinks about the dress, and all of the rest of this Prom stuff…?  When she finds out that I am on Prom Court, will she want to run for Prom Queen, too?  And what if she finds out about everything, even Connor?  Will she think it's okay for her to go to Prom with a date, too?  Man, this is so complicated.  [pause]  I didn't realize that she thinks of me in that way!  Great, so this is what it feels like to be an older sister!!  [pause]  Okay. That's it!!  On top of everything else, now this, too?!  I have decorations to finish!  Connor Daveys is asking me to Prom, TOMORROW…Prom is in 5 days!! I have that history project due on Thursday!  I don't know how much more I can possibly take!  What should I do?!  [pause]  And even Mariam went through all of this…but unlike me, she turned away from all of it…I just don't know anymore!  [pause, switches position and tries to read textbook]  Okay, you know what?  I don't want to think about this anymore!  It's time to work on my project!  [pause, opening notebook]  Gosh…and I'm so tired [starts mumbling]…The Spanish Inquisition allowed King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to investigate…allowed them to investigate the religious loyalty that the subjects of the land had.   They were monitored by certain groups affiliated with the government, and many people were forced into converting to Catholicism.  There was a harsh application process, marked with interrogations …complete with an interview…..interview….[falls asleep, lights black out]

Part Seven:  Day of Judgment.

[set change, lights are dark until the set is ready, but Fatima's narration continues]

Voices: [whispering, getting louder] Fatima. Fatima. Fatima.

[Fatima gets up off of bed and is walking across stage, as whispers gets louder, she starts to look around, scared.  She finds a paper/packet on the stage and bends down to pick it with her left hand.]

Fatima: Where am I…?  This place is so…weird.  I don't understand.  Why does it look so strange?  [walking and kicks something]  Ouch!  What the—?  A book?  What is a book doing on the floor?  [bends down to pick it up]  Why does this say my name on the cover?  Fatima Ibrahim.  What….?  [hesitates to grab it, but reaches out with her left hand and then uses both hands to pick it up.  Opens and starts flipping through pages]  Hm…this kind of reminds me of Booger's diary, it has dates in the top corners of the pages, and different entries for each day.  Wait!!  This even has days in the future…. [excited]  I wonder if there's an entry for Saturday, May 25^th.  Maybe it'll tell me if I won Prom Queen or not!!  [Starts flipping through pages to find the day, but hears a sound all of a sudden, stops, and jerks her face up]  What was that? [pause, listening hard, audible gasp & scared, stuttering]  Y-y-y-y-es?  That's me, Fatima Ibrahim.  [pause]  A few questions?  [pause]  For Prom Queen?  [pause]  Sure, I don't mind answering a few.  [pause]  Why am I running?  Well, I think that running for Prom Queen is the perfect opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone.  It's a way for me to expand my circle of friends—[cut off, pause]  Just to be popular?  Giving up my true friends?  But that's not true, that's not true!  Samina is just jealous of me!  And Jehan has my best interests at heart!  I'm doing it for the sake of representing my school in a positive light and for showing others that being—[cut off, pause] For showing off to others?  To show off and become important?  That's not how it is!  [cut off, pause]  To please others?  To finally get others to like me and accept me?  For people to think I'm cool? [pause]  What about C-Connor Daveys?  Is it going too far?  Am I giving up too much?  But, it's, it's all that I have to do..I thought I wanted… [backing up on stage towards bed again]  why are there so many questions?  I thought, I thought I wanted this….[sitting on bed]

[Fatima wakes up, restore lighting, back in room]

Fatima:  What was that?! [groaning]  This all IS turning into a nightmare!  I thought I wanted all of this…what…?  I think it's time to do what I have to do.

Scene Eight,  Saturday.

Part One:  Getting Dressed.

[4 spotlights on Mariam, Samina, Jehan, and Fatima are all getting ready in front of mirrors.  Largely improvisation of all the characters getting ready.]

All together:  Today is the big day!!

Samina & Fatima:  Today is the day I prove myself.

Mariam & Jehan: This is so crucial.

Mariam & Samina & Fatima:  I have to make sure everything is perfect.

Mariam:  I have to look good.

Samina: [hobbling around]  Where is my other shoe?

Jehan: [making hair] Up or down?  Where did I put my bobby pin?

Fatima:  This sure will catch everyone's attention.

Jehan:  [turning head sideways]  This part is still sticking out!  I need more pins!

Mariam:  I hope Mom is nice to me today.  If she makes any comments, I don't think my nerves can handle it!

Samina:  Where did it go?  Maybe I should just paint my foot black!

Fatima:  This was definitely the right choice. It ended up working out perfectly.

Mariam:  But the question is, will the Ahmeds like it?

Samina:  Yes!  Found it!  Wow—

[everyone stops moving]

All together:  I've been waiting for this day—my whole life.

[continue getting ready]

[“In His Eyes”]

Samina:  In His Eyes, she was beautiful.

Mariam:  He understood all that she did in order to attract His attention.  He knew that she only thought of impressing Him, that she had taken His preferences as her own and that she was trying in every possible way to surrender to them.  He noticed every tiny detail that she so carefully arranged in her appearance for His sake alone.  He kept account of her progress and He appreciated every one of her struggles.  He admitted that still had a long way to go, but He thought her sincerity was endearing.   No, she wasn't perfect on the outside and definitely far from perfect on the inside, but all that she was doing made her, in His eyes, beautiful.

All together:  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Mariam:  …At least, that's what she had heard.  She had decided that Allah, God, was her Beholder.  She then realized that she could not define beauty herself or let anyone else define it for her.  She had come to the conclusion that He was the only One to please, so she embarked on the journey of discovering what beauty was in His eyes.  As she learned day by day, she practiced day by day.  She slowly started to beautify herself according to His standards.

Samina:  In His eyes it was beautiful that she should cover her hair.  So she took the first and biggest step.  She stopped showing her hair in public and starting wearing the hijab, headscarf, even though she feared how those around her would react to such a drastic change

Fatima: In His eyes it was beautiful that she should dress to hide the shape of her body.  She started to wear looser clothing, even though it hung awkwardly from her petite frame.

In His eyes it was beautiful that her face should appear in its natural state.  She stopped wearing make-up altogether, even if it was only for a few hours on Eid or for her cousin's wedding.  She stopped using the powders, liquids, and pencils, even though she could mask her imperfections and bring out her features.

Mariam:  At every step of her journey she was tested in her commitment to pursuing the standards of His beauty alone, and not becoming distracted in pursuing the other standards of beauty that were around her.  But the further she kept going, the more she heard the others.  The others had their own definitions of beauty, and hardly any of their definitions matched His.  She had already defeated her desires and placed His definition of beauty over her own, but it was overcoming the opinions of the others, those who saw her and interacted with her, that was most difficult.  Their thoughts would turn into words, and sometimes the words would get too loud to ignore.  They had a lot to say.

Jehan:  You should be free to express your beauty the way you want to, not how you're told to.

Fatima:  What's inside is all that matters.  You don't need to care what's on the outside.

Mom:  You'll never get married, dressing so conservatively and looking so plain.

Jehan:  You look strange and won't ever fit in.

Mom:  She would look better with make-up, only a little.  It's no big deal, no once can tell anyways!

Connor:  If you don't look like the girls in the magazines, you aren't worth much.

Mom:  You're taking covering too far.  I'm happy that you're wearing the scarf, but stop fussing with all of these “extra” things you're doing

Mariam:  Some of what they had to say would hurt.

Voice off-stage/Connor:  Some of them came from strangers,

Samina:  some from her friends,

Fatima, Mom and Jehan:  and some even from her family.

Mariam:  Deep down she knew that what He thought was beautiful meant more to her than what they thought was beautiful.  She had to detach from them completely.  She knew what true beauty was and that she wanted to appear beautiful in His eyes, not in theirs.

Mariam, Samina, and Fatima:  She learned.

Mariam:  She learned to cope with what the others had to say.  She learned how to accept complements and how to deflect negative comments.  She learned that she is responsible for maintaining her self-confidence and upholding her own respect.

Fatima:  She learned to stop caring about what the others would think because she could never impress everyone and would get lost if she tried.

Samina:  She learned that she could not fully understand the wisdom behind what He thought was beautiful, but that she would comply fully to His standards.  She learned to love herself for wanting to be beautiful in His eyes and she learned to love herself because she kept trying.  She learned that He is enough for her and that all of her strength comes from Him.  She learned that becoming beautiful is a process that never ends and to never stop fighting to achieve the excellence that she craved.

Mariam:  She learned that outside beauty was only part of the beauty that He wanted from her.  She learned to stop judging others around her, both their external and internal appearances.  She learned that it wasn't wrong to care about how she looked, as long as she knew Who she was trying to impress.  She learned that true beauty exists only in His eyes.­­­­­

She prays that everyone will want to take His beauty as their own.  [spotlight goes out on Jehan] She prays that she will be steadfast in achieving His beauty.  [spotlight goes out on Samina] She prays that His beauty comes to her not only on the outside, but also on the inside.  [spotlight goes out on Fatima] She prays that He will send her a man who sees and loves His beauty in her.  [spotlight goes out on Mariam] 

She prays that she will die with His beauty.  She prays that she will be brought back to life and live forever with His beauty.  She prays that she is beautiful, in His eyes.

[“In His Eyes” –end]

All together:  Okay, I'm ready.

Part Two:  Resolving Action.

[Lighting is dim for the whole scene, spotlight on Mariam]

Mariam:  Here it goes.  It's time to do it.  [pretending to talk to the Ahmeds]  Assalamu alaykum auntie!  How are you doing?  Uncle, how is your mother feeling, any better than last time?  Ahhhh!  Is it hot in here, or is it just me?  I'm so nervous!  I can't breathe!  Okay, calm down, calm down!  Breathe in, breathe out.  Breathe in, breathe out.  6:30.  It's time.

[spotlight out on Mariam, on for Jehan]

Jehan:  Where is Fatima, she's been avoiding me for the last few days.  She was supposed to meet me at my house and we were going to go together to take pictures!!  Maybe she's just running late.  Or maybe she's already at school at the gym!  She's probably fixing up last minute decorations, she's always working so hard!  I can't wait to see her, my dress will look absolutely stunning on her.  I have a good feeling, tonight's gonna be a good night for Fatima!

[spotlight out, on Samina, she is not that visible.  Samina is at the art showcase]

Samina:  Okay, everything's in order, everything's in order.  Here's the flowers, then this one.  Okay, okay.  This is a little off-center, let me fix this up.  Alright, the blue one, and then this and that.  Oh, let me move this a little more to the front.  And finally, my self-portrait.  [carries painting over and sets it down]  I don't know, something is missing.  Something seems a little off.  There's a void….it seems incomplete.  [steps back and looks at it, looking in mirror, holds up painting and puts it with its back to the audience]  Does this really look like me?  I don't' know, I still feel there is something…. something….[reaches for a paintbrush and paints something, the painting is hiding her from view of audience] There.  That's better.

[spotlight out, on Fatima]

Fatima:  Man!  I'm running a little late!  I have to meet the guy from the party store to get the bubble balloons from him to put up in the gym!  Oh goodness!  I'm already late for this, that means I'll be late for everything else, too!  I don't want to miss this, it's so important!  I have to be there.  There are people counting on me!

[Runs off-stage]

Part Three:  Fatima's Fate.

[Lone set of echoing footsteps.  Light slowly comes on and you see  the art showcase.]

Fatima:  Samina?  Samina?  Are you in here?  I know I'm early, I know it doesn't start til 7.  Samina?

Samina:  [behind a painting]  Fatima, is that you?  Hang on, I'm fixing something.

Fatima:  I like how your self-portrait turned out.  I don't remember this being on the sides though.  And it looks wet, did you just add it on?  [Samina comes out wearing a hijab, Fatima gasping] Oh my gosh!  Samina!  Samina!!  You never told me! Are you for real? Is this for good?

Samina:  Yeah, I'm for real.  I decided to start wearing the hijab.

Fatima:  Wow!  I can't believe it!  I'm so proud of you!  When did this happen?

Samina:  Just now, as you already could tell by the wet paint on my self-portrait.  But I've been thinking about it a lot since last week.  I told Mariam about it, she knows.

Fatima:  Oh, so that's what that is, a hijab!  You told  Mariam, but you didn't tell me?!

Samina:  [awkwardly stammering]  Well, you were…we were…it was…..I couldn't….I…

Fatima:  Okay, look, I'm sorry.  I'll admit that I was wrong about this whole thing—

Samina:  Oh my gosh! Fatima! Why are you here?!  It's almost 7, aren't you supposed to be at the gym?!  They're announcing the winners of Prom King and Prom Queen soon!  And, what do you think you're wearing!! I was so concerned about my new wardrobe change, I barely recognized what you were wearing!

Fatima:  Oh, ahhaaha…this….see I…I….Alright.  I don't care about Prom Queen anymore.  I realized what a stupid joke it all is.  I only realized what it was doing to me after I saw all the things that I was compromising.  It hurt the most to be not talking to you.  I'm so sorry.  I should've listened to you from the very beginning and took your advice!  You know me really well, we've been friends for ages.  I forgot how good of a friend you are, I forgot because, well, because I was tempted by the idea of being Prom Queen.  I was listening to the wrong people, people I should've realized were not my friends, but I had become so blinded by wanting to be Prom Queen, I started convincing myself that my true friends were against me.  I'm so sorry, I was wrong.  I was so wrong.

Samina: Fatima, we've been best friends for years.  Did you really think something like this could have broken us apart?  And even if you were wrong, you aren't wrong now.  Right now, at this very moment, you've made the right decision.  You're here with me, instead of at Prom, accepting your new title.  You gave me quite a scare, I thought I almost lost you…but something told me, I had this feeling deep down.  I knew that you were going to make the right choice.  I just knew it.  I'm so happy that you're back to normal, don't go off doing crazy stuff anymore, okay?  Promise me!

Fatima:  Okay, I promise.  You look absolutely beautiful, by the way!  I'm so glad that you started wearing it, really I'm so glad!  But what made you start?

Samina:  It was actually all this Prom business.  It started making me question who I was and if I really stood behind what I believe in.  Watching you, you know…, no offense—

Fatima: none taken—

Samina:  watching you, I started wondering if there was anything that I needed to be doing.  I finally got over the fact that yes, we're in high school, and yes everyone cares about how they look and what other people think about them.  But I asked myself, what do I think of myself?  And am I living according to what is important to me?  When I asked myself that question, I then had to see….with the way I am right now, what does Allah think of me?  And that's when I knew.  That's when I knew I had to start.

Fatima:  Wow!  I'm glad something good came out of this mess.  I don't even want to know who won and what's happening right now.  It's gonna be hard going back to school on Monday and having everyone staring at me and talking about me, all the rumors…I can only imagine.  If I was on the road to popularity before, now I'm gonna be the biggest weirdo in school.

Samina:  Are you kidding me?  Let me break it to you Fatima—nobody cares.  I will be the biggest weirdo in school, [pointing at head] hello..!!

Scene Nine,  Closing Address.

[classroom]

Top Swordfish:  Howdy, fishes!  It's Monday yet again.  Happy Monday to all of you folks.  Good news—there are only 3 more Mondays left until graduation!  Congratulations seniors for making it this far!  The seniors had a big weekend this last weekend, with our Senior year culminating in Prom!  If you haven't already heard—our King and Queen this year are Connor Daveys and Kendra Perkins.  While we're on the subject of Prom Queen…I was asked to read a very important announcement.

To the Senior Class—you may wonder why I didn't show up to Prom for the King and Queen announcements even though I was on Prom Court.  I know the rumors must be flying, so I wanted to tell you all what happened myself.  I had believed that becoming Prom Queen would be a dream come true, especially for a girl like me.  During the process, I kept compromising myself and sacrificing the things that were important to me.  I started lying to my parents and I lost my closest friend.  To be honest, I lost myself along the way.  I was trying so hard to be your Prom Queen, to finally be accepted and liked by all of you.  I was so concerned with what everyone else thought of me that I forgot who I was.  I was listening to all the wrong voices.  You can never please everyone.  I realized that I had to decide who were the most important to me, and once I singled that out, my decision to ditch the dance and give up my chance at winning the crown became very easy.  Becoming Prom Queen, getting crowned—all of that lost its meaning and its importance once I set my priorities straight.  I never thought I could say this so loudly and so plainly—but here it goes.  I'm Fatima Ibrahim, and getting crowned is not a part of who I am and what I stand for.  And I'd like to acknowledge the true Queen on her recent coronation—my best friend forever Samina.  Your new step is truly a crown fit for such a beautiful girl.

[Samina reaches out to hold Fatima's hand, Fatima gets up and hugs her. Curtains close.]

I was in my final year of high school at that time and I clearly remember the buzz surrounding the show. Some expressed opposition to the name, which for them violated the sanctity of the classic, Little House on the Prairie. Most were excited to see a fresh, new and unique comedy about Canadian Muslims. An audience of 2.1 million people tuned in for the first episode; a record breaking and unheard of rating in Canada. The ratings declined over the years, but they were good enough to sustain it for six seasons.

It was a proud moment for me to see a show about Muslims air on national television. Along with the regular post-episode discussions on House and The O.C., I could now joke with my friends about Ammar's latest debacle or Babar's classic rants. At a time when Muslim youth were increasingly insecure about their identities, a show like Little Mosque helped boost self-esteem and self-worth for many.

But Little Mosque never set out to accomplish any of the things I've mentioned. It wasn't a show that was aimed at educating people about Islam or solving problems faced by Muslim youth. It was a sitcom that was meant to be funny; it just happened to be about a small Muslim community. It was Islam's Cosby Show. In the post 9/11 times where any normative depiction of Muslims in media was deemed to be too controversial, the CBC made the bold move of creating a whole show about Muslims. Not only were the central characters Muslim, the show revolved around the mosque which played a key role in the community's life. The CBC and Zarqa Nawaz, the show's creator should be recognized by the Muslim community for this historic feat.

The criticism and the lack of support at times from the Muslim community were disheartening for me. Sure, if you don't like the show, don't watch it. I agree that it wasn't a laugh-out loud comedy, and the writing was hokey and uncreative at times. But dismissing the show on grounds that the characters weren't observant enough, or that Zarqa Nawaz had some secret liberal agenda, was disappointing. Are you seriously hoping for a sitcom where the women dare not speak to a non-Mahram? Where the community isolates itself from the kuffar? Where the Imam goes around warning people of the evils of Western civilization?

Little Mosque had its shortcomings when it came to accurately depicting the orthodox Muslim community. Yes, the Imam didn't have a beard, had an awfully nonchalant attitude towards apostasy and might have shaken hands with the opposite sex in a few episodes. Zarqa Nawaz once explained that some slips happen because almost everyone on staff, from the director to cameraman, is non-Muslim. She alone couldn't possibly monitor every minutiae of the filming. Some aspects of the story, such as the Ammar's liberalism, are obviously intentional. You might not like it, but it's just a sitcom at the end of the day.

These shortcomings are miniscule compared to the number of things Little Mosque got right. The sitcom was the most accurate depiction of Muslims to date and succeeded in bringing the mainstream Muslim community to the television screen, especially at a time when secular and 'progressive' Muslims get preferential treatment. It represented all the characters we find in our mosques; the uncles, the converts, the feminists and the rebellious teenagers. It captured the conflicts between the young and the old, the tension between the liberals and conservatives.

It showcased, with great sensitivity, the first Muslim courtship on television; a social phenomenon which is still under development amongst Western Muslims. Peer-pressure faced by Muslim youth at high schools was also brought to light, as was their conflicts with immigrant parents. I would argue it even addressed issues which the Muslim community faces; I think organizing an 'Islamapalooza' is a great idea and partial hockey boards offer a reasonable solution to the prayer barrier controversy. Because of Little Mosque, people now know that Muslim women take the hijab off at home or that it is possible to be Muslim without having to wear one.

Little Mosque on the Prairie's idealistic worldview represents hope for our community in many ways— excluding its fiqhi failures of course. Our mosques today have closed doors and an unwelcoming atmosphere; not only to people of other faiths but to segments of the Muslim community as well. Women continue to be marginalized, and converts still grapple to find acceptance. I don't see our Imam playing checkers with the Reverend down the street, nor do I see bona fide bonds of friendship like the one between Babar and Thorne.

Mercy Mosque's setting was similar to the mosques of Muslim Spain, where the Christians and Muslims at times shared a common building for their place of worship. The series ended with the Muslims welcoming the Christians into their newly built mosque after their church was burned down. The new mosque was constructed in the image of Al-Rashid Mosque. This was Canada's first mosque and was built by donations from Jews and Christians, as the Muslim population in 1938 was minuscule.

Like Al-Rashid Mosque, Little Mosque reminds us that the vision of a pluralistic community co-existing is neither new nor impossible. Its message was simple: Set aside your prejudice, give up your spiritual pride and be a good neighbor.

Scene Five: Welcoming the Ahmeds

Part One:  Fatima and Mom.

[Fatima enters, coming home from school.]

Fatima: [Tired] Assalamu 'alaykum Mom.

Mom: Walaykum assalam. How was school?  You're home late!  Again, as always.  You came home late every day this week!

Fatima: Sorry, something came up.  School was alright.  I have a lot of homework and a lot of studying to do.  Next week I have a lot of tests and a project, I have to spend the weekend studying.

Mom: Okay, well you must study hard and don't spend too much time with your student government this week.

Fatima: [defeatedly] Okay, okay.  I only do what I have to, you know that already Mom.

Mom:  [concerned]  Yes, I know.  But it is a lot, you are always gone volunteering or being a leader.  You're never home and you're too tired to go to the masjid or to our family parties at friends' homes.  Anyways, you have to go upstairs and get dressed properly.

Fatima: Get dressed for what?

Mom:  Oh! We didn't tell you, or did you forget?  The Ahmed family is coming over, to see Mariam.

Fatima:  Yeah, Dad told me we were going to have guests coming…but to “see” Mariam, [shocked and excited] to what, to get MARRIED?!

Mom: [exasperated] Yes, to get MARRIED  Mariam did graduate from college now and she is back at home, she is looking for a job.  What do you think she should be doing?  It's time for her to get married!  The Ahmeds, they are a great family.  Their son has a good job in a respectable field.  He is involved at the masjid.  They would be good for each other.

Fatima: Well, what does Mariam think?

Mom: I don't know what Mariam thinks! She hasn't seen him yet!  He hasn't seen her yet either!  You have to clean the bathroom before they get here, so hurry up and go change!  And can you do me a favor and check up on her?  Make sure that she looks decent.  Can you lend her some of your makeup?

Fatima: Some of my makeup, why?

Mom:  Well, I just want her to look nice.  For Allah's sake, she is trying to get married!  She has to make a good first impression.

Fatima:  But mom, you know Mariam doesn't wear makeup.

Mom:  I know she doesn't, but I think you can convince her.  She doesn't listen to me! Just a little is all I ask! But no, never!  Just a little eyeliner or even a little mascara, some lip gloss….it's just a little, no one will even be able to tell!

Fatima: Yeah, well…I'll try.  But…Mariam is… just that, Mariam. [exit]

Mom:  These girls, they drive me crazy.  They are completely on opposite sides!

Part Two:  Fatima and Mariam.

Mariam: [humming, putting scarf on in the mirror]  Hm….who would have thought…?

[Fatima enters, startling Mariam, she turns around]

Mariam: Dude, Fatima!  You scared me!

Fatima: Assalamu 'alaykum, sorry, I didn't mean to.

Mariam: Walaykum assalam.  Can you help me pin this in the back? [holding out a pin] My neck shows if I turn my head to the side.  See look [Turns head.]

Fatima: [Comes to Mariam, taking pin, says in a teasing voice] So…who is this Ahmed family, huh….?

Mariam: Oh, come off it!

Fatima:  No, I mean seriously, who is this Ahmed family?

Mariam:  I dunno, one of mom and dad's friends.

Fatima:  So what, are you nervous?

Mariam: Well of course I'm nervous!  And I've never really done this before….so I don't know what to expect.  I've never even seen this guy.

Fatima: Who, their son?

Mariam: Yeah…I don't know, this is so weird!  But how are you supposed to get married otherwise?

Fatima:  So you're fine with meeting him?  Like…in this way?

Mariam: Yeah, I suppose so.  But it feels like I have to print out my resume and present myself to them as a list of my achievements!  Do you know what I mean?

Fatima:  Like what, you have to fill out some sort of application, like you're in a sort of race or something?

Mariam:  Exactly!  Mom has been drilling me all day.  [Starts respectfully imitating her mom, and Mom's voice comes in as well]  She was like, “Mariam!…

Mariam&Mom:  Mariam!  Make sure you wear that maroon hijab, it looks good on your face!  When they ask you about school, don't forget to tell them you were on the dean's list!  Mariam, when you talk about MSA tell them you helped, but don't get into the details and tell them about everything and all the things at the masjid and the classes you went to, they'll think you're too religious and that will scare them away!  And Mariam, tell them that you like to cook, a good cook is a good wife.  And please, for my sake, put something on your face just a little make-up, please!  You have to look nice, and don't wear one of your frumpy trash-bags, we want them to know that you are beautiful, you are a practicing and moderate Muslim but not overly religious, and that you are a successful person who will be able to make money for the family, but that you are of course going to be a great wife!

Fatima:  Wow…..that must get annoying.

Mariam:  Yeah, but I know she is trying to do the best for me.  I don't know…it's just that I'm not going to change myself to impress any guy and his family.  Yeah, he may be the “perfect guy”—a good job, good looking, a good family, a good Muslim…but only Allah will bring me my Mr. Right…and when he comes along, I won't have to give any of myself up, to compromise the big things in my life, in order to be with him.  [laughs] Getting married isn't my goal in life! I realized in high school that you can't let people tell you what you should do …it gets to be too much, you know? As long as Allah is happy with me, then I'm good.  And I hate how this is turning into some kind of job application or something, I'm trying to find a husband, not a job!

Fatima:   You don't wanna like…you know… have prince charming come sweep you off your feet on a white horse?  You don't mind all of this

Mariam:  [laughs] No, I don't mind at all.  Whatever way Allah makes it happen, it'll happen.  That detail isn't important.  It ends up coming together at some point of the process, why should it matter when it happens?

Fatima:  I guess you're right…So…you don't want any mascara?

Mariam: [laughing] No.

Fatima:  Okay, just checking.  It was Mom's idea.

Mariam:  I already knew it was her who sent you from the beginning.  Slick move, but not good enough.  I got my ways of knowing, wisdom comes with age, Lil' Sis.

Mom:  [screaming from offstage]: Mariam, the Ahmeds will be here soon!

Mariam:  Ugh…these Ahmeds!

[Door bell rings. Mariam and Fatima look at each other.]

Fatima:  Dun, dun, dunnnn!  [Coming up behind Mariam and putting her hands on her shoulders] Go knock the Ahmeds out of this world, Mariam.

Maram: [laughing] Thanks, as always :P

[Enter Bilkis.]

Bilkis: Mariam, Mariam, Mariam, Mariam!

Mariam:  Yes, Bilkis.

Bilkis: MARIAM THE AHMEDS ARE HERE!! YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED!!

Mariam: Bilkis, this isn't for sure, I'm just meeting him and his family today, that's all.  Okay, I have to go before I get in trouble!  And stop screaming, they'll hear you!

[Exit Mariam.]

Fatima: Stop being such a doofus, Booger. They don't even know each other yet, why do you think that they are getting married already?!

Bilkis:  Well, I don't know! That's what Mom was saying.

Fatima:  You're so stupid! That's not what Mom was saying.

Bilkis: Don't call me stupid!

Fatima: Whatever, Booger.  And have you been snooping around in my closet again?

Bilkis: [whiny voice, she's lying] No, I haven't.

Fatima:  [angry] Well, all I can say to you is keep your little paws off.  My clothes don't even fit you, I don't get why you keep trying to wear them!  [Tone change, suspicious and teasing] What's that in your hand Bilkis?…Your DIARY?!  What do you write in there, huh? Huhhhhhhh…..?! [chasing after Bilkis]

Bilkis: [trying to run away]  It's nothing! I don't write anything!!

Fatima:  Sure, Booger.  I know how it is. I was in sixth grade too.  Don't leave it out in the open though, you never know [lunging at Bilkis] who will try to steal it and read it!! [running after Bilkis, exit.]

Scene Six, Getting Asked to Prom.

Part One:  Jehan Breaks the News.

[Fatima at lockers, Jehan comes walking excitedly.]

Jehan:  [smiling huge] Guess what. Guess what I just did.  You are going to have to pay me back for this…this is huge.

Fatima:  [excitedly] What, what happened, what did you do?

Jehan:  [trying to build anticipation] Well…you know Connor Daveys?

Fatima: Yeah, he's on the Water Polo team.

Jehan:  Yeah, well Connor Daveys just broke up with his girlfriend.  At the party on Saturday night that you refused to come to.  It's okay, I'm over you bailing.  I had a great time without you.  And maybe it was better that you weren't there otherwise this would've never happened.

Fatima: Wait, what are you saying?  I don't get what you're talking about.

Jehan:  Okay, well his girlfriend dumped him right before the party! So I talked to him, you know he looked really sad and stuff, he was sitting in a corner by himself.  And I found out all of this stuff, he told me.  Well, he was sad because he thought they were going to go to Prom together and he's a Prince and running for King, so now it's complicated because they aren't going together anymore.  Something like this can really hurt his chances at winning, you know how people talk.

Fatima:  So Connor Daveys got dumped, and this makes me happy how?

Jehan:  He was moping freaking out because he didn't know what to do about Prom, he had already bought the tickets and everything.  So a brilliant idea came to me, why doesn't Connor Daveys take Fatima?!

Fatima:  [shocked] What?!  Me and Connor Daveys?

Jehan:  [flippantly]  Stop trying to pretend.  I know you like him.

Fatima:  [horrified]  Well, how do you know I like him?

Jehan:  Come on!  Every girl in school is head over heels for him.  So I told him about you and that you needed a date to prom.

Fatima:  You told him I needed a date to prom?!  First of all I'm not going to Prom to have fun, I'm going to work, and second of all I'm not in need of a date because I don't roll like that, and thirdly it makes me sound desperate, like I can't get a date on my own!

Jehan:  [exasperated and annoyed] Well you CAN'T get a date on your own, it's the truth!  We've already seen how awkward you are.

Fatima:  Well, it's not my fault that I don't like flirting with guys, that's disgusting.

Jehan:  It's not disgusting, it's human nature.  There's nothing wrong in it, it's part of who we are, and who said it was flirting, it's just being friendly! When guys and girls communicate with each other it's just a little different.  It's not THAT bad compared to what other people do out there.  It doesn't even mean anything!  You just think it's disgusting because you're not good at it, admit it.

Fatima:  Fine, I'm horrible at talking to guys, but it's good for me, it keeps me out of trouble.  You know how much my parents have been cracking down on me lately for all the stuff I've been doing.  All the volunteering keeps me out of the house for a long time and they get mad.  I don't want to add another worry, this time a really bad one

Jehan:  Who cares about that?  Parents are always mad.  Okay stop, stop thinking for a minute!  You're missing the most important part of the story….I've convinced Connor Daveys to ask you to Senior Prom!!

Fatima: [panic stricken] He's what?!  He's asking me to Prom?!  But why did you do that I didn't ask you to!!

Jehan:  Well you know, good friends, and good cousins, look out for each other.  Yeah, so open your locker and see.

Fatima: See what? [Opens locker and note falls out.]  Oh my gosh!  Is this………..yeah, it's the note asking me out.

Jehan:  Well what does it say?

Fatima:   “Out of all the Swordfishies in the sea….come to senior prom with me?  Meet me at the pool deck after school tomorrow.”

Jehan: [giddy] I'm sooo excited!! This is so exciting!  This is like the best thing that could have ever happened to you.  That was so cute, that IS so cute, I can't wait to see how he'll ask you after school!!

Fatima: [dejected] But…I can't say yes to him.

Jehan:  [indignant]  Have you lost it?  Why not?!

Fatima:  [angry]  Have YOU lost it….You know as well as I do that my parents will never let me go to Prom, WITH A GUY!

Jehan:  Well then just don't tell them you're going with anyone.  It's as simple as that.  They already know you have to volunteer there.

Fatima:  But what about pictures…and stuff?  And they're be people there, they'll find out, I'm sure!  They think I'm going just to volunteer.  I'm not even gonna be wearing a dress, there's no way I can get away with this.  I'm not going to lie to my parents about something like this.

Jehan:  Hold up—you're not wearing a dress?  Are you INSANE, what else would you go up and get crowned in, JEANS, even worse-slacks?! Okay, you just need to stop FREAKING OUT and think about it.  Connor Daveys is THE GUY of the whole school.  He's smart and he's charming, he's the captain of our ranked Water Polo team!  He's so popular!  If people know you're going together, you're going to automatically be 50 times cooler and then more people are gonna vote for you!  Maybe they'll think he likes you, that's why he's taking you to Prom with him!  Then you'll win for sure!

Fatima:  But yeah, well we're not supposed to date!

Jehan: I know, you're not dating him, you're going along to Prom with him.  You don't have to dance, you don't' have to do anything besides GO with HIM.  Just let him take you.

Fatima:  But…I don't feel comfortable doing that!

Jehan:  Okay, do you want to win, or not?  You have to do what it takes.  We're talking about Marina Bay Prom Queen 2011!  There's only five days left 'til Prom!  Alright, [grabbing Fatima by the shoulders]  this is what you are going to do:  you will go after school tomorrow to meet Connor Daveys and you will say yes.  We'll figure out a plan about your parents, okay?

Fatima:  I don't' know about this.  This seems like I'm giving up too much…like this all is going a little too far…

Jehan:  Fatima!   Come on!

Part Two:  Fatima Breaks the News to Sam.

[In class, Fatima is sitting looking sad/distressed head in her hands at the desk.  Enter Samina, coming over to Fatima,

Samina:  [awkwardly (because they're mad at each other)]  Hey….Fatima.  Assalamu alaykum.  Is everything okay…?  I couldn't help but notice….

Fatima:  [Mumbling, without looking up.]  Walaykum assalam.  Yeah, stuff is okay.

Samina:  [worried, consolingly] Are you sure?  You know you can talk to me anytime you need to.  I know we're not doing too good right now, but we've been best friends since the 5^th grade, and something like this can't break us apart.  [Bell rings, teacher interrupting “Settle down, settle down.   Open your books and take out your homework.”]  Well class is starting…I'm just….okay, then…

[Bell rings, Samina is leaving]

Fatima:  Samina!  Hey!

Samina: [Samina turns around] Yeah?

Fatima:  It's just that…well someone is asking me out to Prom.

Samina:  Someone is WHAT?

Fatima:  Yeah, today,  I got a note in my locker, see look.

Samina:  Well, do you know who it is?

Fatima:  Jehan says it's Connor Daveys.

Samina:   Well, what are you going to do?  This is such a problem!! You like him.  You've liked him since last year.

Fatima:  I know, this is like a dream come true…Connor Daveys asking me to Prom.

Samina:  I know that we used to talk about it and think about it and stuff…but is it something that you really want?  And something that you'd really do?

Fatima:  I don't know.  I just don't know anymore.  If I go with him, my chances at winning are a lot better.

Samina:  Well, is it worth it? What about your parents, they'll freak out.

Fatima:  Yeah…well I'm still making up my mind.

Samina:  I think it's pretty clear, what you should do.  I dunno, this whole Prom Queen and Connor Daveys stuff, yeah to some people it could be a dream, but now it's starting to look like a straight up nightmare.  I have to get to class, I have a test!  Asa [exit]

Fatima:  Nothing is clear these days. [cell phone beeps]  Oh, it's a text from Jehan.  “I have a surprise for you after school today, can I drop you off at home an hour or two later?  We have to drop by the mall first though.”

Click on the images below to view the original.

My Grandmother by anickue

Educating the Youth, by Samee Panda

Mosaic Light, by Salman Jafri

Alhambra, by Summertime

Arabic Calligraphy, By Knahadeem

yellow fire, by Raqeebah Zaman

Visit the MuslimMatters Flickr group to view the other entries…

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Note: all the images presented in our Islamic Art feature are copyrighted to the original producers. Do not reproduce them without seeking their prior consent.

Scene Three,  Filling out the Application.

Part One:  Falling Asleep.

[In Fatima's room, Fatima doing her homework.]

Fatima:  So, the integral of 12x^3+42x-10 is….2, no, is….is…..is so boring.  I don't want to do anymore calculus right now.  I'll just work on my history report.  [Reaches into backpack, shuffling through papers]  Where did it go?  [Pulls out the report and the Prom Queen App falls out.  Bends down to pick it up.]  Ouch!  [gets papercut]  What's this?  Oh, the application, I forgot about you.  Hm.  [gets up and falls back on bed]  I dunno, do I want to apply?  Ugh, why is this so difficult!!  Prom Queen is….it's so…it's lame, and maybe even a little wrong, but…it's not THAT lame.  And I would hate to be Prom Queen, I would refuse….but it would be special…and I do want that you know, something special for a change [in a different, breathy voice] “Prom Queen.”  I mean…it sounds so wonderful…almost, [yawning] almost like a dream come true [Falls asleep]

Part Two:  Dream Sequence.

[On a stage at the Prom Dance.  This whole scene is a sequence of events and is mostly improvisation. Top Swordfish starts talking first and then the lighting comes into play.  Fatima is walking from one side of the stage to the other on a red carpet.  Fatima waving as she walks, twirling and skipping and jumping.  Voices offstage are saying “Fatima,” “Fatima you look so beautiful,” “Fatima, what a perfect Prom Queen,” “the sweetest girl in school, Fatima,” “Fatima is so awesome, I wish I could be just like her,” “Fatima is the perfect girl,” “Fatima, Fatima.”  Voices fade.]

Top Swordfish:  Now, it's the moment that all of you Swordfishies have been waiting for, the crowning of your 2011 Marina Bay High PROM QUEEN.  Can I get a drum roll please?  [Audience has to pound feet]   I'd like to announce our Prom Queen–Fatima!!!

Mom:  [Mom's voice coming in] Fatima! Fatima!

[Fatima is escorted by the Prom and is fanning her face with her hands and crying.  She comes up and is crowned and given flowers and balloons and teddy bears.]

Part Three:  Write it Out.

Mom:  [yelling from offstage]  Fatima! Fatima!

[Fatima wakes up, looking confused, saying quietly “Mom? Mom?”]

Dinner will be done soon, come down in a little bit!

Fatima:  Okay Mom!  Whoa, I guess I fell asleep doing my project.  Ugh,  history, as soon as I touch the book I fall asleep!! [Gets up and starts stretching.  Pacing.] Prom Queen Fatima.  Hmph.  I don't know, I want to be Queen so bad, gut I just don't know!  Is it right?  Is it wrong?  Can I win the title?  Forget about the crown, can I even make Prom court?  Do I want to do this to myself, put myself  out there and in this position?  But being Queen—the act of being crowned itself, just that, would be so sweet.  Prom Queen Fatima.  Prom Queen Fatima!  It has a nice ring to it, [picking up a stuffed animal]  doesn't it, Mr. Fluffy-Pants?  What do you think?  Do you think I should go fir it?  [throws stuffed animal aside]  Jehan thinks I should…Samina thinks it's a bad idea. [falls back onto the bed and is rolling around]  Well, Mr. Fluffy-Pants…[picking up application] I think Jehan is right. I think it's time to fill out the application.  Let's see…[reading out application] School activities, hobbies, favorite subject, plans after high school, aspirations. Seems simple enough.  I'll show Jehan and Samina and even everyone else at school—I am Fatima Ibrahim, and I am your 2010-2011 Marina Bay High Prom Queen! [writing on application.]

Mom: Fatima!  Dinner!

Fatima:  Coming! [to herself] Just in time, I'm finished.  I'll turn this in tomorrow and just wait for Prom Court announcements on Friday! [getting up and addressing herself/her Mom] …and it's Queen Fatima to you!

Scene Four, An Important Day at School.

Part One:  Announcing Prom Court.

[Bell rings.]

Samina: Fatima! Assalamu alaykum!  Dude, this is the second time this week you are tardy!

Top Swordfish:  Hullo happy Swordfishies!  <<This is the one and only Top Swordfish with your morning announcements!  I hope you're as excited as me!>>  It's finally Friday!  Thank God it's Friday! <<I have a very special announcement for all of your today—PROM COURT ANNOUNCEMENT!!  That's right, you heard me.>>

Fatima: Walaykum assalam. I know, I'm exhausted.  And I have so much left to figure out for the Prom decorations!   I'm gonna work on them during lunch, can you help me?

Top Swordfish:  Today is the day of the Prom Court Announcement!

Samina:  I don't want to help, I can't.  Are you sure you're feeling okay?  You look kinda…pale and clammy.

Fatima:  Oh….I'm just stressed out—I'm drowning under all the work I have to do.  I'm trying to stay afloat.

Samina:  That stinks…but fine, I'll definitely be there at lunch!  But look at the bright side, it's Friday! Thank Allah it's Jumuah!  It'll be 6^th period before we know it!

Fatima:  Yeah, great.  Just 6 periods to go.

Random kid:  Hey, shut it will you!  It's the Prom Court Announcement!

Top Swordfish: It's time to announce the lucky few who made it into Prom Court!  It is my pleasure to announce the contenders for Prom King—Senior Class President Derek Nichols, Chris “The Tank” Robinson, by the way great season Quarterback!, and the last lucky man…YOURS TRULY. The Top Swordfish himself.  [pause]  Just kidding, it's not me.  I sure got you guys on that one huh? It's Mr. Water Polo, Connor Daveys.  Your princesses are Head Cheerleader Kendra Perkins, Stacey William the School Secretary, and the wild card nominee, none other than the Volunteer Chair Fatima Ibrahim!

[Kids in class cheering, congratulating Fatima.]

<<Congratulations to our 2010-2011 Prom Court princes and princesses! This should make for an interesting running for the crown this year!  Now we just have to wait one more week to find out who wins!  Prom is next Saturday!  Tickets are still being sold, hurry up and buy them!  And more importantly hurry up and ask that special someone to Prom, before someone else asks!! While we're on this topic, I've got another special announcement! DeAnna Thomas?  DeAnna, are you listening?  DeAnna, make your way to the Quad at break, someone has something very important to ask you. This is Top Swordfish signing off the air.  The weekend's almost here!  As you countdown the periods throughout the day, just remember—just keep swimming, just keep swimming.  Peace out, Fishies.>>

Samina:  [loud whispering] Fatima!  I can't believe you.

Fatima:  Look, Samina, I can explain….

[Samina turns away and crosses her arms]

Teacher:  Wow!  Congratulations Fatima Ibrahim!  [Class cheering, Jehan can be heard loudly cheering.] I had no idea you were running!  Alright, on to page 495 [Samina slams book down on her desk.  Bell rings.]…Remember to work on your projects over the weekend!

[Kids start exiting.  Samina is putting stuff away furiously and Fatima is just sitting there looking at her.]

Fatima:  Listen to me, I can explain.  It's not what it looks like—

Samina:  No!  We already talked about this, I thought you weren't going through with this!  I can't believe you, I really can't believe this whole thing!  How could you get sucked into the running for Prom Queen?  You. YOU. Out of all people, my best friend.  You, Fatima?  I…I…thought I knew you…I….I…–

Jehan:  [coming up to Fatima]  Wow!  I'm so excited, I told you, you got this!  I can't wait to hear your name announced as Queen at Prom! [Samina grabs stuff and storms off stage] Woah, what is wrong with her?  Sam… [Chuckling.]  Oh, I get it.  No need to tell me.  She's just hating.  [Cutting Fatima off from defending Sam and making an excuse for her.]  Okay, gotta get to class!  See ya later, Cuz the Prin-cess!

Fatima:  [Sitting at desk with head in her hands.]  Oh no.  What did I get myself into?

Part Two:   Connor and Jehan Overheard.

[Sitting in the SBG classroom, cutting decorations furiously and in a panic and talking on the phone.]

Fatima:  [Hangs up phone.] Oh, that stupid DJ!! As if I didn't have enough to deal with already!  And Samina's mad at me now.  She said she would be here to help me! I really need her!  I wish she didn't get so mad at me today.  Me and Samina fighting on top of everything else is just really pushing me to the edge.  I hate dealing with all of this stuff! And I have all of the decorations to do!  Okay, [looking around for something]  Let me just finish designing this part. [pause]  And where is Samina?  Can I even hope that she'll show up?

[Fatima can hear a guy (Connor) talking with Jehan.  Audience can only see shadows, dimly lit up on the other side of the stage.  Fatima continues working.]

Jehan:  Connor! Hey!  How are you doing?

Connor:  I'm doing great, Jehan, how are you?

Jehan:  Wonderful!  As always!  How did your game go yesterday?

Connor:  Excellent! We killed the East Side Lephrachauns.

Jehan:  How many goals did you score this time?

Connor: [can hear the smile in his voice]  Uh…It was 6.

Jehan:  [laughing flirtatiously] Of course, I expect nothing less from the Captain.  Hey!  So all of this Prom stuff is coming up!  You're going with your girlfriend, huh?

Connor:  I know, I'm so excited!  This is supposed to be THE highlight of senior year, right?  Yeah, I'm going with her of course.  So, who are you going with?

Jehan:  My date is my business, you'll find out soon enough.  So, you're up for Prom King!  Captain and star of the water polo team gives you a great shot at winning.

Connor:  You really think I have a chance at winning Prom King?  Jason talked me into applying, and now I'm on court!   I didn't think it would happen, but now that's it's happened, I'm taking it a little more seriously and realizing that it might be a big deal.  Don't tell anyone, but maybe I want it now that I'm in the running.

Jehan:  Great, because I think it's looking good for you!  It would cap off your senior experience!  I wonder who Prom Queen will be, what do you think?

Connor:  Yeah, I I've been wondering about that too!  Well, one thing for sure, my girlfriend isn't running…sooo…who will the lucky Queen be?

Jehan:  You mean, YOUR lucky Queen.

Connnor:  Hey! Watch it, you'll get me in trouble!  You know, especially with Fatima in the race now, it should be really interesting to see who wins!

Jehan:  Yeah, I know. I think she can win.  It'll be the perfect underdog story.  She's really great, you know.  She's a good person.

Connor:  She is a nice girl.  I hope she wins, it'll be a refreshing change.  But hey, I gotta go to my locker and I'm running late to a club meeting, but I'll see  you around.  And thanks—

Jehan:  –for what?

Connor: For putting some confidence in me!

Jehan: Yeah, well, just looking out for the interests of everyone.  You winning King will make all the little boys dream of being the Water Polo Captain, slash Prom King, the Water Polo team needs the underclassmen to join the team!

Connor: [laughing] Yeah, yeah, surrrrre…see ya!

Jehan: Bye.

Part Three:  Jehan Lends a Helping Hand.

[Jehan enters Fatima's half of the stage.]

Jehan: Fatima! You're in here?!  Why are you spending your lunch ALONE, and working too!

Fatima:  Well, that's just what I do…I'm always working.  But I'm not supposed to be alone, Samina was supposed to be helping me, she told she was gonna meet me here, [Jehan smirks, Fatima trying to cover up for Samina] but…maybe something came up and she couldn't.

Jehan:  You don't think it has anything to do with you making court, do you?

Fatima:  What do you mean?

Jehan:  I mean, don't you think that everyone wants it?  Maybe she's….maybe she's just jealous that she can't run because enough people don't know her in the school.  It's because she's just an art geek.

Fatima:  No, Samina doesn't want to be Prom Queen!  She thinks it's wrong.

Jehan: Fatima, let me tell you something. Everyone wants to be Prom Queen.  Everyone, even if they don't admit it.  And what do you mean by she thinks it's “wrong?”

Fatima:  Well…she thinks that it's…degrading and stupid.  She thinks that it's against who we are and what we stand for.  We're finishing up our four years here, and there's no reason to sell out.  And….and….I think she thinks it's compromising….like…compromising what Islam says.

Jehan:  Ugh, you know what, I'm tired of hearing what we CAN'T do.  I can't eat this, and I can't wear this, I can't go to this place, I can't have these friends, I can't drink this, I can't be with anyone, I can't I can't I can't I can't!  I'm tired of everything being haram.  It's just a bunch of restrictions.

Fatima:  Come on, that's not true…

Jehan:  It's not true?  Are you kidding me?

Fatima:  Well it's not completely true, and you're saying it the wrong way. There's a balance.  We're not supposed to do some stuff because it's better for us, Allah knows what's best for us since He is the One that created us–

Jehan:  You know what, let's switch the topic, I don't want to talk about this.  I think Sam is jealous of you.  She's mad at you, and now, she's blowing you off.  There's a reason she's not here helping you, it's because this small Prom Queen running is more important to her than your friendship.  [Pause, Fatima looks hurt and distraught, she stops cutting completely and the paper hanging limp.]  Well, what can I do to help you?  Put me to work.

Fatima:  [Shuffling around for something] Here, can you start gluing these?  [They work in silence for a short time.] Thanks so much for helping me, I'm really swamped and your help means a lot.

Jehan:  We're blood Fatima, cousins always got each other's back.  Speaking of being swamped, have you started your history project yet?  I'm still trying to decide my topic!

[Lights fade and bell rings.]

“Crowned” is a full two-act play that was originally written last year for Muslimah Entertainment, a local sisters' organization in Southern California that puts on a yearly production.  If your youth group or MSA (or any other organization) is interested in performing this play, you are welcome to do so! Please contact the author for a soft copy of the play by emailing her at: meena.malik@muslimmatters.org

Crowned: Fatima and Samina are best friends about to graduate from Marina Bay High School.  In their exciting last year of school, Fatima is faced with a dilemma that many Muslim seniors face: PROM.  But the issue isn't “should I or should I not go to Prom,” the issue is…”should I run for Prom Queen?”   Meanwhile, at home, Mariam has just graduated college and is being pressured to get married.  Mom has set her up with the Ahmeds' son, and now the courtship is about to begin.  Join the girls on MuslimMatters every Wednesday this April as they walk down the path towards getting “crowned.”

Characters

Fatima, volunteer chair of Student Body Government.

Samina, art geek & Fatima's childhood best friend.

Jehan, the cool kid & Fatima's cousin.

Mariam, recent college graduate who has returned home & Fatima's older sister.

Bilkis, also known as “Booger,” Fatima's little sister.

Mom, the lady of the house.

Top Swordfish, the person who gives the morning announcements for school.

Connor Daveys, captain of the Water Polo team & the popular guy.

Scene One, Introduction.

Part One:  Getting Ready for School.

Mom:  [yelling off stage]FATIMA!!  SCHOOL!!

Fatima:  Overslept…AGAIN!! [Fatima jumps out of bed and is getting dressed for school. Looking through clothes, changing clothes.  Fixing and re-fixing her hair, putting on hats (stuff to do with head, “crowned”.)  Face-wash, make-up, re-wash, make-up.  Accessories.]

[Fatima grabs backpack and runs off stage in one direction.  Bell rings.  Set change: classroom Students sitting down in chairs, Samina is prominently seated.  Jehan is seated slightly off-center further backstage.  Fatima enters, running in from other side.  After bell rings, lights slowly open on scene, show some people sitting down, some people entering stage, some people standing in random areas coming to their seats, people sitting down, talking etc.  Fatima is the last to enter.  Announcer's voice get's quieter and lights dim on him  depending on if there is a side conversation going on or not.  “Top Swordfish” (Announcer) is shown at the other end of the stage, sitting at desk with a microphone.]

Top Swordfish:  Gooooooooooood morning Marina Bay High!  Today is Monday, of course, the best day of the whole week!  It's time to wake up Swordfishies!  Let's get on to the morning announcements!  To all the arteeests out there,  the Art Showcase [lights dim and voice fades] <<is coming up!  The showcase will be the >>

Samina:Fatima! Assalamu alaykum!  You're late!

Fatima:  Walaykum assalam! Yeah, I know, I hope I don't get marked tardy!

Top Swordfish:  25^th, the same day as Prom!  Can't wait to see your latest pieces.  Just another run-of-the-mill cafeteria food scare!! To all of you who ate the mystery meat loaf last Thursday <<if you're feeling a bit sick or felt slightly sick, it's because the meat was tainted.  Whoops! Sincerely the lunch ladies. >>

Fatima:  Ew, that's why I don't eat outside meat!  Did he collect homework yet?

Samina:  No, you're good.

Top Swordfish:  Important announcement for all the seniors!  Senior Prom is coming up on the 25^th.  Tickets to Enchantment Under the Sea <<are being sold during lunch in the quad.  $120 for couples and $80 for singles.  You must pick up permission slips for the dance and have them signed by your parents.>>

Samina:  Enchantment Under the Sea?!  What kind of lame theme is that?!

Fatima:  Hey!  I helped pick that theme!

Samina:  Oh, sorry.  But you know….it IS pretty lame!

[Fatima playfully shoves Samina]

Top Swordfish: Prom Court Sign ups and applications!  <<Attention manly men, do you wanna be the big fish on campus, the senior of the senior class?  Prom King sign ups and applications can be picked up in the student body government room and are due at the end of the week.>>

Samina:  So how involved are you with this year's Prom?

Fatima:  I'm pretty involved, way more involved than I want to be.  I designed the posters and the tickets, and am doing the decorations.  They're probably gonna ask me to volunteer during Prom, since the sophomores don't know how to do anything.

Samina:  That's whack!  I can't believe you have to be so involved with it.  Don't you feel…?

Fatima:  …guilty?  Yeah, I do.  But what can I do?  Student Body Government is student body government.

Samina:  Well this is like the last thing that you do for them, right?  so…whatever.

Top Swordfish:  Attention lovely ladies, do you want to be the queen on campus, royalty of the senior class?  [Samina puts a pencil case on her head  while making a stupid face and mockingly doing the princess wave] Prom Queen sign ups and applications are due at the end of the week!  <<It's time to determine who will walk away as Prom King and Prom Queen.  Who will be elected into these ranks?  Whose dream will be fulfilled?>>

Fatima: [slapping off the “crown” from Samina's head]  Yo, knock it off!

Samina:  Why, goodness, I didn't know you were so sensitive about this whole [sneeringly] Prom Queen business.

Fatima:  Prom Queen is a big deal.

Samina:  No it's not, Prom Queen is stupid.  Some Barbie is gonna win it, I bet you it's gonna be Kendra Perkins or Stacey William.  They're popular, pretty, all the boys like them, all the girls want to be like them…

Fatima:  Yeah, I guess one of the typical girls will win it.  I wonder what it would be like if one of us was Prom Queen.  [look at each other and start laughing]

Top Swordfish:  Those have been your announcements for the day, Top Swordfish signing off the air, 5 weeks til graduation!!!  Buh-bye.

Teacher:  Good morning class…[lights fade, bell rings]…reports due next Thursday and see you tomorrow!!

Samina:  Man, I am bogged down this week!  I gotta run to my next class!  Meet me in the art room at lunch.

[Samina exits and Fatima is packing up still.  Jehan is walking by Fatima.]

Jehan: Fatima!  How was dinner at grandma's house on Saturday?

Fatima:  Oh, Jehan!  It was good. Why weren't you there again?

Jehan:  I was busy studying.

Fatima:  Oh yeah, I know how it is, it gets crazy towards the end—

Jehan: [cutting her off] of course I was joking.  I was at Rachel Brown's party.

Fatima:  Oh…..I um…..

Jehan: [nonchalantly] Yeah, you wouldn't know about it.   You're not with the popular crowd, even though you work with them in student body government.  Anyways, Prom Queen running is coming up, huh?

Fatima:  Yeah, so what about it?  [innocently laughing] Are you running or something?

Jehan:  No, I'm too cool to be Prom Queen.  [awkward pause, smile wipes off face of Fatima] But you know what, I would hate to see one of the Barbies be crowned—again! It's the same thing every year.  Why don't you run?

Fatima:  [shocked]  What?! ME run for Prom Queen?  That's such a joke!  Who would vote for me?

Jehan:  A lot of people probably would, the smart kids for sure.  You know, people are tired of seeing the same kind of girl win year after year.  They might be willing to vote for the nerdy -

Fatima: – hey I'm not nerdy, I'm just smart!

Jehan:  Sorry, for the smart brunette, Ms. Goody Goody Volunteer Chair of the school.  Who knows, they might find you a nice alternative to the typical Queen.  And plus, it's good for your reputation, everyone will respect you once you win, and they'll take you seriously and won't make fun of you for being the Volunteer Chair….Anyways, I got class…catch you on the flip side, cuz (cousin), Ms. Prom Queen Fatima!  [Jehan bows and exits]

Fatima:  [speaking to herself]  What, me, Prom Queen….?

Part Two: Dropping off the Application 

[Samina and Fatima are eating lunch in art room and painting, talking about Samina's portrait.  Jehan walks by.]

Fatima: Samina!  Girl, bio was disgusting today.  We had to dissect a brain and now I smell like brain juice.  I was starving before but I think I lost my appetite.

Samina:  If you're not gonna eat it, let me have a look at your lunch. [comes over]  Those pears look pretty good.  [pause, sniffing] Ew, gross. You DO smell like brain juice. [fake wretching]

Fatima:  [snatching bag away] You know what?  I don't even really like pears, but that comment really cost you.  I was gonna give them to you, but you smell like….paint….juice. [voice dying and ending pathetically.  Sam laughs.]

Samina:  Speaking of paint juice, do you wanna see my last piece for the art showcase?

Fatima:  Yeah!  Show it to me!  What's your last piece, what's the crowning jewel of your collection?  How's it coming along?

Samina:  Ms.  Mitchell wanted me to paint a self-portrait, she thought it would be a great way to top my portfolio off–give it the finishing touch!  But I wasn't sure about painting myself, because you know the whole thing about you're not supposed to draw people or something…well I don't really know,  so this is what I decided to do instead.  [Turns canvas around. Painting is blocks of different shades of browns, you can tell it's unfinished.]

Fatima:  Ahahahahh!  It's just brown squares!  Genius…

Fatima&Samina: …absolutely genius. [explosion of laughter]

Samina:  I know.  See, this way I get away with not having to draw a person and it's true to my abstract style.  AND Ms. Mitchell loves this interpretive stuff, so she'll be impressed.  She'll probably say something like—

Fatima:  “Woah, now that is art, I can sense the emotion in that one.  Or—”

Samina:  “Just brimming with teenage angst!  And the Modern twist!”

Fatima:  “These tan splotches…so deep…It's all how you see yourself, not how anyone else defines you.  A mirror doesn't always show you who you really are, especially when you're looking with your eyes closed.  These tan splotches are truly a mark of talent!”

Fatima&Samina: “I LOVE IT!” [laughing]

Fatima:  I can't wait to see it when it's finished!

[Enter Jehan]

Jehan:  Hey, I got you one.  We talked about it this morning.

[Stops in front of Fatima, drops application packet at Fatima's feet.  Looks at Samina and nods at her.]   Sam.

[Jehan exists.]

Samina:  Ugh!  Gosh I hate when she calls me Sam!  Can't you talk to her about it?

Fatima:  Yeah, I already have, but she's just my cousin, not my child, I don't have any control over her!

Samina:  [Leaning over towards Fatima and reaching to pick up packet]  So what did she give you?

Fatima: [Trying to cover the application] Oh nothing…

Samina:  [Grabs packet, shocked and confused.] Prom Queen Application.  She brought you a prom queen app?  Why in the world would she get you one?  Is this some kind of joke…? [Fatima looks guilty and uneasy.  Samina is furious.] PROM QUEEN APPLICATION?! [Fatima grabs application back out of Sam's hands.]  PROM QUEEN APPLICATION, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Fatima:  [defensively, talking quickly in one breath] It was just Jehan's idea, not mine!  She told me that I should run and that she thinks I could even win, and that it would make people like me and that it would finally get one of the Barbies to not win Prom Queen this year.

Samina:  You know, Jehan does have some crazy ideas, [begrudgingly] but I think she might be right.  You could win…I think.  It would be nice to see those Barbies defeated.  Everyone wants to be a Barbie.  And it's ironic when you think about it because no one likes them.  They're mean and self-centered.  They use their popularity to take advantage of people.  And all at the same time, they're pretty and popular and have the nicest things and wear the cutest outfits and have perfect hair, every single day!  Man, don't you just love them.  It would be nice if someone could beat one of them to the crown.

Fatima:  Yeah!  It WOULD be!

Samina:  But just as long as it's not one of us.  I dunno, it seems too weird.  Lunch is almost over, let's go.  [Gets up and starts to exit]  You're coming to my arts showcase right?

Fatima:  Yeah, of course!  I'm so excited to finally see everything all together.  When is it again?

Samina:  The 25^th—

Fatima & Samina:  The same day as Prom!

Samina:  –yeah.

Fatima:  No problem! [goofy] InshaAllah!!

Samina:   Hey, throw my wrapper in the trash will you?  [Fatima picks up wrapper] And while you're at it…throw away that application, too, where it belongs…right in the trash.

[Samina exits and Fatima is following.  Fatima throws wrapper away, but hesitates with the application, holding it above the trashcan.  She stands there for a few seconds.]

Fatima:  but…it would be so nice….Prom Queen Fatima….but it would be weird [Brings application away from the trash and to her chest and says with resolve] Well, you never know until you try…maybe it's worth a shot! [Exits.]

Scene Two:  Meet the Family

[Lights slowly grow bright.  Bilkis eating a snack and sitting at kitchen table, Mariam is sitting next to Bilkis. Mom washing dishes. Enter Fatima, lights get bright all of a sudden.]

Fatima:  I'm hoooome! Assalamu alaykum!

Mom, Mariam, Bilkis:  Walayakum assalam.

Mom:  How was school, honey?

<<In background you hear Mariam saying “but Bilkeeeeees” and Bilkis saying “but Mariaaaam” over and over again and getting louder and louder until it cuts Mom off>>

Fatima:  It was fine, I have a report due, I have tests, I have a lot of stuff to do for student body government.

Mom:  I don't understand why you do this school government.  They take all your time away from you, you can't focus on your studies, you are too busy catching up on your homework to go to the masjid some weeks…I don't like this body government of yours.

Fatima: But mom, we already talked about this!  It looks good on college applications—I'm Volunteer Chair for the whole school!  I get so much community service hours, it shows that I have leadership skills and responsibility. If you want me to get into a school as good as Mariam, I have to do it.  She did band and all this stuff, too when she was in high school.

Mariam:  Hey!  Leave me out of this!  [goes back to being annoying with Bilkis]

Fatima:  Well it's not as easy to get into a good college as it was for Mariam 4 years ago!  It's gotten a lot harder Mom!

Mom:  Fine, fine, I know.  You did explain this to me all before.  “But mom – SATs, volunteering this, testing that, GPA, GPS, IV, IB, OMG, UC, AP, ACT, MPH, LOL.”  I've heard it all before!  [Bilkis and Mariam screaming, pause]  Mariam!  Bilkis!  Would you be quiet!  Can't you see we are talking here?   [Mariam and Bilkis burst into giggles.  Fatima starts putting her stuff on the table.]  You two are so irritating.  It's time you stopped acting like a child, Mariam.  [pause, washing dishes, and then as if another thought/a tangentI] You came back from college and now you're a woman,  it's time to get married.  All this foolish screaming is for children, not for someone your age.  And remember what I told you about who's coming on Friday!  [Exits with the trash.]

Fatima:  Yeah, grow up, it's time to cop some good proposals, Ms. Marriageable Lady Mariam.

Bilkis:  Mariam is going to get married!! YAAAAAAAAY!

Fatima:  Booger, shove a sock in it.

Mariam:  [somewhat jokingly, but serious at the same time]Fatima!  You can't talk to Bilkis like that!

Fatima:  [Sticks tongue out.] Great .  I have so much work to do! [Application packet sticking out of her folder. Bilkis reaches for packet, reading out loud]

Bilkis:  [Craning neck over] P-pr-rom Queen App…Appli–

Fatima:  [Yanking her stuff away] Get away from my stuff, booger!

Bilkis:  [indignant]  Hey!  Stop calling me booger!  Mariam already told you to stop!

Fatima:  [said in a joking way, a man's voice] Stop me, big sis, just try and stop me.

Mariam:  [jokingly] I know one thing that will stop you for sure.  Booger attaaack!!

[Bilkis gets up and runs towards Fatima with hands outstretched screaming and Mariam is sitting there laughing.  Fatima runs and exits, followed by screaming/chasing Bilks.  Lights fade and fading spotlight on Mariam.]

[Mockingly] What children!   [Indignantly.] Hmph!

[Anxiously, puts her head on the table.] Friday…………ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Read on…

_________________________________________________

Muslimah – Deen Shine
by Salahuddin Rahim

Golden sparkle enfolding you
Like Divine arms holding you
Hijab embracing your modest face
Exposes a more lovelier grace
And as you move modestly
Your modesty defines the signs
Along the straight and narrow highway

Muslimah
You glitter like golden leaves
I saw you wrapped in saffron and was pleased
All breathing stopped momentarily, and like a sneeze
Al-hamdulil-laahi fell from your lips
And was snatched up by a passing breeze
Blessing all flowers, grass and trees
In its wake, for your sake

Muslimah
Your long, loose apparel
That's designed to conceal you
Only encourages the real you
To glow, like electricity you flow
Along the cables of our lives
And the force of your modesty commands us to lift you
To pedestals high beyond the dunyaa
Where loose ladies walk low roads and deal
In tight transparency that does not conceal

Muslimah
Let Deen al-Islaam shine from your radiant form
Like the morning sun
That breaks upon the dawn
Let your example of goodness be reflected bright
In the faces of your children
As stars throw back sunlight into the black night

Muslimah
When Allah beheld none worthy to be companion
For His fist Khalifah, He created you
You are our bushraa wa ni'mah
Yaaa amattul-laah
Oh slave woman of God
Let gentle hands hold tight to hablil-laahi
That binds you to your Lord
Be faithful to your zaawj
Be kind to your awlaad
And hold low the head so that Noor Allah
Shines from its crown like a beam
To guide your feet along the Siraat al-Mustaqeem.

________________________________________________

A Du'aa
by Binte Ali

O Allah, I turn to You, Allah, to Guide me,
I turn to You, Allah, to Forgive me,
I turn to You, Allah, to Protect me,
I turn to You, Allah, to Help me,
I turn to You, Allah, to Bless me,
I turn to You, Allah, to Hear me,
To Listen to me.
I turn to You, Allah, for company,
With You, Allah, I am never lonely,
To Your Mercy Allah, I cling,
O Allah, I turn to You, Allah, for everything,
for friendship,
for love,
for need,
for want,
for care.
I rely on You, Allah, for simple air
for food,
for water,
for ears to hear,
for eyes to see,
for everything Allah,
for everything that fuels me.
O Allah, I turn to You, Allah, to Give me,
I turn to You, Allah, for nothing
but everything.
I turn to You, Allah, to Answer me.
Guide me,
Protect me,
Forgive me.
To Give me
what is good for this Dunya and the Hereafter,
Please Allah, Answer me,
And the Muslim Ummah.
Ameen.

_____________________________________________

Without further ado, here are three inspiring poems we've selected for today…

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Repentance
by Salahuddin

With a simple nod they dismissed God
He commanded and they heard, but they tossed their hair and opposed His word
Ate blood and swine
And taxed heavily the land
Lifted up the cross as His sign
And demanded that man lay with man,
Yes they rewarded evil with good
Burnt atomic particles in place of wood
Smogged cities with the smoke of coal
And fogged corridors of the soul.
But worse, they robbed the laborer of his wages
And ignored the knowledge of the sages
And when the poor could not pay their bills
Made them build shanties on wooded hills
And dump their dead by the side of roads
As funerals became much too heavy loads
To bear
for those who already had to pay for food, water
And air
And the enormous cost of medical care.

With a shrug of the hand
They deified the image of the white man
And preached God into obscurity,
While preaching the merits of equality and democracy
And confusing financial slavery with liberty
The dragon rode upon the sea of the silent masses
As sealed tombs ride upon the backs of dumb asses
Smiling from the home of hell
He raised both arms with the horned h    and sign
Indicating that all is well.

But hurricanes tore the fields of hops
Fire burned the forests
Sun burned the crops
And volcanoes erupted as politicians corrupted
Chase bankers stole billions
Chasing toy pirates around Somalia
And sold news
Vilifying the religion of Islam and men of darker hues.
God is not dead
But judging, watching and listening
As the world keeps getting more sickening
Like a dropped turd
That hits bottom in an outhouse, stench rises, a sound is heard
Maggots scatter, and try to flee
But eventually all crap is washed out to sea
To merge with the waters of eternal life
Where it is cleansed of blood, war and strife
And it cannot fight, flee or fly
Just float eternally
its gaze is perpetually to the sky.

___________________________________________

My Master
by Muhammad Badsha

(In Defence of My Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)

May my wealth, treasures and life,
My precious possessions acquired after toil and strife,
My very breath, my every drop of blood and more,
Be sacrificed and given for,
A single glimpse of my beloved's face,

O Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) may I experience your wonderful grace.

O Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), O wonderful Master,

You helped your people in every calamity and disaster,
You carried the old lady's load,
Upon your noble back young children rode.
You spoke with the poor and insane,
A smile for all through suffering and pain.

The fathers of disbelief placed thorns in your way,
Intestines on your back when you knelt to pray,
Pelted you with stones till your blessed blood flowed,
Hurt your family in every way and mode.
Yet you cried for the saviour of all, overlooking,
Forgiving, without revenge or berating.

You gave your blood for us, O my King,
For you, your Companions endured the scorpion's sting,
The strike of the sword and the smite of the lance,
Their worries fleeing with thy blessed glance.

For your honour may I be slain,
Your noble companionship I wish to gain,
A glimpse of your blessed countenance is my ardent desire,
Your company in Paradise the goal towards which I aspire.
May I be graced with your Kauthar water,
Sahaaba for your ablution drops gave no quarter,

How, O how can I thee thank?
I ask Allah, besides who there is no God,
To shower you with special reward.

May all I own and my very soul,
Be sacrificed for this simple goal,
That I be a piece of thy golden sandal,
Or a sliver in your wonderful sword's handle.

Simple leather and straw made your bed,
On humble food you ate and fed,
Patched clothes you wore,
Your language pure, you never swore,
Never putting on airs or harbouring pride,
Though the Angels walked at your side.

We are ready to give our lives for thee,
O best of Creation, O noblest of humanity.

_____________________________________________________

A Blessing to Mankind
by Aalia Rahman

As I read the authentic narrations
About our Prophet from Saheeh Al-Bukharee,
I was amazed at each of his reactions
Though it shouldn't have surprised me.

It should have been obvious,
He was our Prophet thus,
A man of generosity,
Ready to give his property,
A man of simplicity,
Never anything of vanity.

Yet his soft heart and gentle nature,
His truthful tongue and kindness to any creature,
His lack of love for this temporary Dunya,
His immense love for the eternal Akhira,
And his struggle, caused these tears to shed,
For in truth this blessing to mankind was dead.

He struggled for the guidance of this entire Ummaah,
Unlike what we enjoy, he had to be spat on,
He had to suffer through the pain and scar,
And bear with patience as the misguided scorn.

That was our Prophet, following Allah's commands,
Asking dua'a for this Ummaah with raised hands,
Despite this, still there are people of today,
“I do not believe in the Prophet's word” they say.
Paying no heed to the Seerah or Bukharee,
Refusing to flicker their eyes to see,
But their hearts would spin, If they but knew,
The number of trials our prophet went through.

And every time my heart sinks in grief,
Just thinking about the incident of Ta'if,
Not only to his message they took no heed,
But they pelted our prophet until he bleed.
And despite this our Prophet asked for forgiveness,
That was his state of humility and submissiveness,
For he felt he was lacking in his method of preaching,
And could have done better to keep the word spreading.
When asked by Angel Jibreel about the people of Ta'if,
If he could crush them (perhaps to the thinness of a leaf),
Our Prophet refused, for from them could come people,
He said, pious, and for this Ummaah an example.

So much of oppression and so much of pain,
Yet there were people to call him insane.
He struggled hard to get the message across,
Yet there were people who chose to be at a loss.
We weren't there to help or defend him,
But here today his words we barely skim.

And even during the last days of his life,
Though sitting in prayer for him was not rife,
Sitting was the only form the sickness allowed
And in pain to Allah he bowed.
For Jama'ah they carried him on their shoulder,
While his legs dragged on the ground,
But he was a man who preferred the hereafter,
And not one complaint did he sound.
He was a beautiful human being suffering much harm,
Both, perfect in character and perfect in word,
Not one thing did he leave out in Islam
But that it was complete he made sure.

Despite all the distress he went through,
To spread the truth far and wide,
People still take his message to be untrue,
And accuse him of being a misguide.

I pray for peace, blessings, and mercy (unlike some)
Be on our Prophet Muhammad Sallallaahu 'Alyee WaSallaam.

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Click on the images below to view the original.

Quran, by Mona Adam

Quran 3:190, by Samee Panda

The story of Surah Jinn, by Mezba. This is the scene where the Jinns are meeting, discussing their latest predicament about eavesdropping on the conversation of angels. Click image for the full story.

By anique zakaria

Visit the MuslimMatters Flickr group to view the other entries…

—
Note: all the images presented in our Islamic Art feature are copyrighted to the original producers. Do not reproduce them without seeking their prior consent.

On February 22, 2012, famous singer, songwriter, musician, music producer and director Shiraz Uppal created waves in the Pakistani music scene by announcing he had quit the music industry. In a status update on his Facebook fan page , Uppal wrote:

Uppal is not the first Pakistani musician to have left the industry for the sake of faith. A few years earlier Junaid Jamshed, another extremely well-known icon, announced his departure from popular music. The decision to quit a highly lucrative and glamorous career is certainly not one that is made overnight, nor is it an easy one. I had a great conversation with Shiraz on his decision, the path that brought him to it, and what his plans are for the future.

[DM] How did the change take place and what path did you take in making this decision?

[SU] It was a long journey. I had been in a different state of mind since Ramadan, having a feeling of discomfort, of not being satisfied. Alhamdulillah, I have a great family, my finances were great, but something seemed to be missing. I started praying 5 times a day. In the past I had always prayed, but it was always for a reason, usually in times of difficulty: someone was sick, I wanted a song I was releasing to be a hit, it was always prayer for stuff. Then I realized the real purpose of it. It was just for Allah. I started reading a translation of the Quran along with the Arabic. I installed an app on my iPhone for Ahadith and would read them before I went to bed. I started having very spiritual dreams and I saw the Prophet in one of my dreams. I asked Allah to 'guide me to the path You have chosen for the good people'. And He guided me here; to quit music. I have my studio in the basement of my house, barely a few steps away from my sitting room. For the past four months I have not entered the studio. I was just not deriving pleasure from music anymore. And this is after over 20 years of playing music and 12 years of being in this industry. I just knew the answer was for me to quit.

I kept thinking what would people say. I have a single-track mind. I can't focus on multiple things. I just couldn't get over that tussle in my heart and I decided this was it. I could not carry on anymore. It was the similar to when I graduated from the MBA program in 1997 and I wanted to decide whether to go into music or do a proper job. In 1998, my father, a retired air-force officer was working for a private aviation contractor, died in a helicopter crash going from Bahawalpur to Lahore. That incident helped me make up my mind and I started a job. However, my heart was always in music, so in 2000 I asked my mother and my wife permission to pursue music as a career. I needed three years from them in which I would not be contributing to the family income, at all. I just needed to prove myself and work hard towards what I wanted. Soon I started getting popular and soon I was well established in the business.

I have always considered A. R. Rehman my guru. I always admired how spiritual he was, despite being in an industry dominated by Hindus (Rahma is a convert to Islam). We are born Muslims, we have had religion handed down to us on a plate. We have read the Qur'an since childhood but never really understood it. A. R. Rehman keeps his prayer mat right next to his keyboard and is able to blend both his music and his religion without a problem. I had many talks with him on this subject. We would discuss our religion, dreams that we had, about balancing our music with our deen. I always used to tell myself  'if he doesn't quit then why should I?'”

I had always been an average student in school, in my bachelors, and in the first semester of MBA I was put on probation due to my poor GPA. Then I met Aisha and I wanted to prove myself to her that I could get the grades and I was suitable for marriage. This got me motivated and I started getting A's and B's. Thus, if I set my mind to something I don't rest until I achieve it. Thus, when I decided that I wanted to do something that was totally halal and there was no doubt in it, I knew that I had to quit.

[DM] What was the reaction of your family and fans to this decision?

[SU] Aisha, my wife, had a great reaction. She has always stood by me in my music but it was always her desire that I grow a beard and start practicing. I used to tell her, 'I'll leave music when I'm dead'. Then my eyes opened. Allah has given equal brains to all then why not use it in 1000 ways other than music. Even my son is very pleased with my decision.

My mother initially was a bit worried, she thinks I should have taken it slowly; she didn't understand the need to just stop. She is a woman who regularly prays 5 times, so I convinced her that it was the right step. Now she agrees with me.

My fans have been very supportive and I have received so much encouragement from them on my Facebook page that I am very surprised. They were congratulating me on this step. My fans have increased in these past few days as I gained so many of those who never listened to my music but now want to support me in this decision.

[DM] What was the reaction from  your peers?

[SU] I got a negative reaction from most of my peers. Some of them cried when they heard the news. Others said why don't you sing qawwalis or something, just please come back to music.  Many said you are making us look bad by quitting. I have no hard feelings against them . I am not an authority of whether it is halal or not. I am not passing judgment on anyone. This was my transition, my change, for my reasons. I am not criticizing anyone.

I regularly make dua for istikaamat, for firmness and steadfastness on my decision. In the Quran, Allah says that He created man weak. Indeed we can not do it without the help of Allah. Thus, I regularly make dua.

Some media people sarcastically remarked to me “You must have done a couple of trips to Raiwind already.” I told them I have never been to Raiwind. I am not affiliated with any group or sect. All I want to do now is to read the Quran and Ahadith, to follow the Prophet 's example. I did meet Shaykh Zulfiqar Naqshbandi four years back and took a sort of bait with him but he never asked me to quit music. I recently met him again and asked him why didn't you ask me to quit. He replied that when I met you four years back I knew you had this desire in your heart so I made dua for you.

[DM] What's next for Shiraz Uppal?

[SU] Well there is barakah in business. It was the Prophet's example to do trade. I have an MBA in marketing. I am sure I will come up with something with the guidance of Allah. He created us with a fixed rizq. I was earning through my music, now it will come to me through some other means. I just know that I never had any barakah in my earnings from music.

I am avoiding TV interviews for now. I really don't want to offend anyone. I have universities and other groups calling me to speak about my experience and I will share my journey with them. I also intend to slowly learn more about religion. Right now I am in Class 1. I hope to learn more.

InshaAllah