The Expressions Narrative Project is a platform dedicated to the voices and perspectives of Muslim women, from activists and artists to professors and political representatives. This blog showcases personal narratives expressing Muslim women's thoughts, opinions, and lived experiences.
The afternoon of the first general strike in Minnesota since 1934, I stood on the back of a truck. It was January 23rd, and people from across the state of Minnesota poured into the streets of downtown Minneapolis. There were tens of thousands of us. We were there because we were angry, because we had enough of ICE kidnapping our neighbors. Because we were sick of watching masked men and women harass and intimidate our communities.
Read MoreIn her speech, she spoke of the historic tradition of Black-Palestinian solidarity and referenced Palestinians from Gaza tweeting advice about tear gas advice to protesters in the Ferguson Uprising. For the first time in my life, I felt connected to something bigger than myself, surrounded by like-minded people who are passionate about justice and solidarity.
Read MoreWe make our own history and choose our own fates, in the midst of all obstacles. From the cover of Forbes Magazine, to positions in congress, seats in government — our voices in the streets, our prayers in complete. Dribbling down barriers every step of the way, raising the bar every step of the way. We are the future we hoped, we dreamt, we prayed. The future for this country.
Read MoreAs young people we might feel that people underestimate us sometimes or don’t pay us attention, but every voice has value. Civic engagement is advocating and fighting for change — and believing in yourself without giving up until your voice is heard.
Read MoreWhen my supervisor said that we needed to show up at a rally downtown to support those involved in the Sudan uprising, my initial reaction was not “yes, I finally get to go to a protest” — instead, it was a combination of dread, fear, and insecurity that ran through my system. I had mixed emotions of “should I, or should I not?”
Read MoreApril 1st, 2019. My first day at my new job as a software engineer at a small company in downtown Minneapolis. As the room began to fill up, something immediately stuck out to me: I was the only Woman, the only Black person, and the only Muslim. All three.
Read MoreI didn’t speak up for the things that mattered to me. I was a good girl. I thought “good” girls endured. “Good” girls didn’t resist. They persevered. They were resilient in the face of all obstacles, no matter how unjust.
Read MoreI recognized my own uniqueness and embraced my responsibility to spread good and justice. A Somali woman, born and raised in the Arab world and having immigrated to America in my teens; I speak three languages and I acquired three different cultures and world views that are crucial to understand the needs of my community.
Read MoreIn a word, we were *woke,* but were still lacking a space for us to gather and pool our resources to affect real change in often-ignored areas: social and political action and philanthropy. These spaces exist in droves elsewhere, like my professional networks, but were lacking within communities in which I focused on my faith.
Read MoreWhy would anyone not vote? Voting is the opportunity for me to ensure, at least to my capacity, who the leaders of our city, state, and nation will be- to support community leaders who I think will bring the best policies forward and address issues that matter and pertain to me using values I share.
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