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y parvaneh fakheri by parvaneh fakheri “I’m half and half, me dad’s a Muggle, mum’s a witch, bit of a nasty shock for him when he found out.” First time I heard that line out of Harry Potter, I laughed. And I remembered. It resonated within me. You see, I’m half and half too. No, not the dairy product. Half “white” American, half Persian. Half Christian heritage, half Muslim heritage. Half inside the paradigm, half out. I grew up around a missionary center. Growing up, a lot of my friends were MKs. Missionary Kids. My first concert was DC Talk. I bet the first house of worship I was ever taken into was a church. Certainly seems, I ought to have been raised a Christian, doesn’t it? But my father is from Iran. And somehow, I was raised with his religion, though by the time I was eight, my mother had converted to Islam. Funnily enough, I never really thought about converting to Christianity. I always followed Islam in my heart. Half ‘nHalf n Attempts? You name it, it’s probably happened. People trying to convert me; attempting to enlighten me. When I was five, a close family member told me my parents were going to hell for leading me ‘‘away from Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.” In the third grade, my classmates told me I was going to hell. In high school there was the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; in college, Christians on Campus. I never felt the need to convert, nor did I resent their efforts. Well. Not too much. Not if they didn’t follow me for thirty minutes. I, too, had grown up learning about Christianity. My mom’s family, the one with which I grew up, was all Christian. We all got together for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and each one 7 of those meals generally started with the whole family holding hands around a table giving thanks to God; “In your Son’s name, Amen.” Mentally, I always changed that part… Growing up half and half has its advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, you learn intimately about both sides. About the missionary aspect of Christianity. About the peace of Islam. I always saw more in common between the two religions than other people my age. I grew up discussing and explaining my religion to my Christian family and friends. Nowadays, I find myself explaining Christianity and its precepts to some of my Muslim, even to some of my Christian friends. My parents instilled in my brother and me a respect for all religions and people of all races, all orientations. Even if I don’t agree with it, I still respect someone’s freedom to believe what they will. That’s what makes this country great. Freedom. On the other hand, it seems every day I get questioned. You look white. You’re what? From where? You’re Muslim? Why don’t you wear the veil? So you don’t drink? What about pork? Have you ever tried it? The answers I have memorized. Yeah, my mom’s “white”. He’s from Iran. Yeah, he’s brown. Yeah, I know I look white. No, EEEEE-Rahn. Yeah, I’m Muslim. Well my dad’s family is all Shiite, but I was raised nondenominational. I don’t feel the need to. No, it’s a choice. No, I don’t drink. No. Yes, I tasted it when I was little. Perhaps the funniest and most frustrating time was when someone told me that the “Christian God” was different from the Muslim’s “Allah”. Somehow my arguments that Spanish speakers say “Dios” and French speakers say “Dieu” equivocates to Arabic speakers saying “Allah” didn’t penetrate. I have to laugh when people say I don’t “look Muslim,” that I don’t “act Muslim.” “Well,” I say smilingly, “How is a Muslim supposed to look and act? How are Christians supposed to look and act?” Sure, sometimes, it all can get to be a bit frustrating. But then again, I wasn’t born to be silent. about the author Parvaneh is a UT alumna. She graduated in 2005 with a dual major in Spanish and Middle Eastern Studies. She currently works for a non-profit agency and intends to pursue her Masters in Middle Eastern Studies in the near future. muslim voices a literary magazine
!"#$#!%&'!($)'! middle east austin, texas united states najaf, iraq April 2006 ! Issue 1 by zahra yusufali by zahra yusufali I am from the religion that guides my every step. I am from the prayers in the early morning, noon, and evening when all Muslims unite to pray at the same time utter the same words, in the same language, with the same actions, to the same God. I am from the mornings of struggling to fix my scarf and the afternoons of answering curious questions asking about my hijaab and why I wear it. I am from the delight of answering those questions, pleased that someone wants to learn. I am from the strange looks people gave me during the September 11 tragedy, and from the reassuring looks of others who looked deeper. I am from holding my head up high, and remembering why I believe in what I believe. I am from the thought that upholds truth, the action that speaks for justice, and the state of mind which abhors intoxication. I am from the religion which is color blind. I am from strength in the face of adversity From the thousands of thoughts and actions that challenged my values And the temptations of the outside world I am from learning from the little kids of our mosque, who have taught me more in their unique little way than I could have taught them. I am from the religion of Adam, Abraham, Jonah, Solomon, Isaac, Ishmael, Jesus, Moses, Mohamed; peace be upon them all. I am from the religion so beautiful and peaceful that it has shaken hearts and inspired millions from the beginning of time, from the plains of Mecca to the hills of Austin, TX. I am from the religion of ‘surrender ’ I am from Islam. about the author Zahra is a Freshman at UT and is pursuing a dual major in Education and Psychology. She grew up in Dubai, U AE, and moved to Austin six years ago; her parents are from Tanzania. Zahra hopes to combine her degrees in a career that serves to teach young children. 8
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