Everyday Muslims is a "Humans of New York" style social media series that I created while at CAIR Washington.The series, which features photos of the sorytellers next to their stories, reminds audiences that Muslims have always been a fabric of the American Story.
"The changing moments of my life came from when I was reading. I developed a deep passion for reading. As a Muslim Palestinian woman, I was fed narratives about my history - oftentimes it wasn't the greatest narrative. That's why I believe that education is the most important thing in someone's life. It is the greatest way to fight issues like injustice and the only way we can combat false sterotypes and narratives that impact us. As a professor, I can open people's perspectives through education. I work at a predominately white and conservative university. It's very challenging sometimes but I think it's one of the most important places to be. In these more secluded areas, I can expose students to more viewpoints and break down their bariers. They can say, 'I've had a Muslim and Palestinian professor and she opened my eyes to different things.' That kind of work is important in destroying these sterotypes of Muslims." #EverydayMuslims #PNWMuslims
Salam
"My name is Nancy, but my stage name is Twoscarves, inspired by the rapper 2 Chainz. I’m a comedian, an Olympic weightlifter, and during the day I’m a dietary technician. I’d say I’m an observational comic, I talk about things I’ve either thought about or experienced. So, if I’m at work, what would the fax machines and computers say about the workers? Or, if a hijab pin could speak, what would it say? As a comedian I am able to relate to people regardless of being black, Muslim, or a woman. Last weekend I had these bikers wanting me to tell them jokes. I’ve told jokes at churches, mosques, yoga centers, and military balls. My dream is to meet and go on tour with Maz Jobrani, Ahmed Ahmed, Deen abdulla, Mo Amer, and Kevin Hart." #EverydayMuslim #PNWMuslims
Nancy
"I started working on cars when I was a young boy. My dad owned an auto repair shop back home. I love working on cars. My favorite are the big Chevy and Dodge trucks. A lot of people believe that mechanic shops rip people off but I was always taught to be straight and honest. I give people fair prices and help them where I can, because I’m not thinking about now, I’m thinking about the afterlife."
Basir
"I call myself a storyteller, because I feel like a fraud saying I'm a filmmaker although I've made films. I remember when I was a little girl growing up in Somalia my grandmother would tell us stories about tribes, and they were so captivating. Stories have the power to connect us, they allow us to walk in the shoes of strangers, and feel for them, and cry for them. I always knew I wanted to be a storyteller which is why I came to this country when I was 14 years old. I knew I wanted to do something big, but when I got here it was difficult to go to school for that [film]. So instead, I studied computer information systems, but I hated it because my heart belonged to stories and writing. Over a decade later I went back and started to pursue what I wanted to do and found a job working in the industry. Now I have created two documentaries and published my first graphic novel." #EverydayMuslims #PNWMuslims
Fathia
"My uber driver on my way here asked if people constantly had misconceptions about me because I'm Muslim. Then he asked what's up with that guy ISIS. I was shocked, and after talking to him it occurred to me that he thinks ISIS is one person, and he is just ignorant about it. Sometimes I can't blame that level of ignorance though because Muslims aren't given a platform, we have to create our own. That's why we [Fathia and I] created Eat With Muslims. It's an opportunity for Muslims and non-Muslims to come together and have organic conversations and break down barriers through these events. Nobody is mad when they are eating, food has a way of making people happy. More recently, we've been invited host in cities like Iowa where most of the non-Muslims voted Republican. And those conversations are a little harder to have. At times, it's exhausting and tiring and you don't want to be showing your humanity constantly. But, at the same time, I don't think we have a choice anymore." #EverydayMuslims #PNWMuslims
Ilays
"My grandmother was put in the Minidoka Japanese incarceration camp. Two generations later, I'm still impacted by that event. After Trump's election he talked about how they should create Japanese-style incarceration camps for Muslims. It's a scary thought that 70 years after my grandmother was incarcerated for being Japanese, I could face the same fate for being Muslim. When I went to the Muslim ban rally, I realized that we were standing in front of the William Kenzo Nakamura building, who was in the same incarceration camp as my grandmother. In that moment, history reflected back on us and it was important to point out that the current rhetoric and treatment towards Muslim Americans will transcend onto future generations" #EverydayMuslims #PNWMuslims
Tessa
"My love for horseback riding started as a kid when I was in Girls Scouts. My friend's mom came in to teach us about horses. We learned how to brush, clean, and saddle them ourselves. My neighbors also boarded horses. So I grew up around them. When I'm horseback riding, I feel relaxed and very connected to nature. It allows me to reconnect with God, cleanse my mind, and breathe for a few minutes." #EverydayMuslims #PNWMuslims
Fatima
"I've always been interested in prison studies. In high school, I was constantly reading about the injustices that folks who are incarcerated face before, during, and after incarceration. Once I got to college I tried to focus my studies around prison studies. Now I am working on project called BLEND
(Bright Light Extending New Destinies) that will help incarcerated Muslim men at Monroe Prison reintegrate into society more easily. The program is divided into four sections: housing and health, education and employment, legal aid, and faith and community. Some of them have been in there for 10-plus years and so much has changed in the world. They are a vulnerable population that are shunned by both the Muslim community and rest of the community which is why I believe it's important for me to work with them. I want to bring their stories to the forefront and show how people who have been incarcerated are still an important and vital part of our ummah." #EverydayMuslims #PNWMuslims
Duha
"I really enjoy being outdoors. I picked up hiking when I was in college but it really became a hobby when I got married since it was a shared interest. My husband and I go on impromptu hikes often. He's a photographer so sometimes we wake up at 3 am to get the perfect sunrise shot. My favorite place to hike is at the Fremont lookout. It's part of the Mount Rainier National Park so you get the view of Mt. Rainier. I can't wait to take my daughter hiking when she is born. I already bought her a baby carrier for hikes."