THE NEW LIGHT

By Mahnaz M. Shabbir

October1, 2002

Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest. (Qur’an 13:28)

     “I am an American Muslim Woman”. I first wrote these words in a writing class at a local community college in October 2002.  The assignment for the next class was to write a 1500 word personal essay that would be read aloud in class.

     All week I thought about various subjects to write about such as my four boys and how I felt being a mother. I could write about other members of my family. I could write about a trip to India where my parents are from. I could write about my black labs. Yet none of these ideas were grabbing my attention. However, the one idea that kept calling me was my experience growing up in New Jersey and how a sixth grade teacher ridiculed me in front of my class because my cousin was fasting during the month of Ramadan.  This memory was fresh because soon after 9/11, my then 14 year old was accused of being a terrorist and for being responsible for the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. I felt horrible. It pained me to hear that my wonderful, happy-go-lucky child was verbally attacked. It brought me back to my sixth grade incident and the cost of being silent about my identity for so many years. 

     As I sat in the teacher’s conference room of my son’s high school in between debate tournament judging, and the day before the class assignment was due, I began writing the words, “I am an American Muslim Woman” on top of the paper.  At first, I felt scared writing these words. What will people say?  Will I be targeted like other Muslims ?

     Muslims throughout the country and in Kansas City  (Muslim population of approximately 10,000) were putting the American Flag on their cars, homes etc. Hoping to veer off those who were seeking “revenge”.  Nonetheless, I wrote my essay and read it aloud to the class the next day. There was not a dry eye in the room and my instructor suggested I submit the article to the features editor of our local paper, which I did.

     In November, the local paper first wrote an article on how 9/11 had affected me.  It was not until January that my article was finally published. Soon after that, my next writing class started.  My instructor was proud of the fact that one of her student’s article was published from an assignment given by her.  She circulated my now published article to the class.

     Sheila came into the classroom late. I looked at her and I knew she was Jewish.   She was handed the article to read. She now knew I was Muslim.  We did not talk much in class until Sheila approached me with a proposition to write a joint article. She indicated that we had a lot in common and that maybe it would help others if we shared our thoughts as Jewish and Muslim mothers.

     I am the kind of person that is open to just about anything and I readily accepted. I wanted to get to know Sheila better and I felt that we could do something positive.  The more we talked, the more our friendship grew. As opportunities arose like hosting the documentaries for the film festival, we would discuss them, get excited and plunge into another new adventure.

     The background conversations included what was happening in the Middle East. We tried to write another article about that. However, I have found it too difficult. For one thing, I am not an expert on this subject. The more I have read about it, the more I have seen that depending on the author and the author’s background, the information is bias. I have tried to be objective, but I must say that it is hard. I also feel that there are no “experts” on this topic. I think any self-proclaimed expert should also declare they have a bias about this subject and that they are communicating from their perspective.

     Sheila and I have discussed the suicide bombings in the Middle East. As Muslims, committing suicide and killing innocent people is against our religion. The only piece of information I can share is that that the young people who are committing these acts must feel desperate and that they feel that there is no hope. It is unfortunate that we are in a time in civilization where these people cannot live side by side in justice and peace. There have been many times throughout history where Muslims and Jews have lived together in this region in harmony.  I pray this happens again soon.

     I have learned a lot about the passion that the Jewish community feels towards Israel. To me as a first generation American, I do not have the same feelings towards my parent’s place of origin. I was raised as a Muslim and believe that Islam is a religion of  “Peace” and has made many contributions to the world i.e., mathematics, astronomy, science.  As I have discussed with Sheila, the 1.2 billion Muslims in the world live all over the world with the largest populations in Indonesia and the Indian subcontinent. The Arab Muslim population is about 20% of the total. 

     My religion is Islam and my country’s loyalty, pride and support is for the United States. Yet, through Sheila I can see that the American Jewish community has the same feelings for the United States and Israel.

     I have also learned a lot about the Jewish religious traditions i.e., kosher restrictions, Sabbath and other religious holidays. Sheila has invited me to attend her son’s Bar Mitzvah in November. If I am not heading to my parent’s home for Thanksgiving, I will be there.

     Two areas that I treasure about our relationship have to do with a picnic that Pearl, Sheila’s daughter initiated and the Jewish/Muslim Children Choir for 9/11. On Memorial Day, Sheila’s family and my family got together for a picnic to “break bread”. Not only were our husbands and children involved, but our parents were as well. It was wonderful. Both Sheila and I took pictures of this “historic” event. The picture I love the most is the picture of our moms together. It is beautiful.

     The second treasured moment is when Jewish and Muslim children came together and sang America the Beautiful and a song about peace that was in Hebrew and Arabic for the 9/11 Remembrance this year. It was extraordinary. Hearing children from these two faiths sing with all their heart was moving. It was Sheila’s idea when she first heard her children sing the song at their school. I was very excited to see how everyone was committed  to do whatever to took to make the event happen. It was very healing on a day of so much sorrow to know that there is hope for the future.

    Other special moments were when Sheila and I spoke at her parent’s Chavarah and we held a seminar at the 9/11 remembrance called, “ A Jewish-Muslim Friendship- How to build bridges of understanding”. I was also fortunate to give a talk to a Jewish Temple and share my thoughts with the people from the Temple.

     In addition, I have given talks to churches, hospitals, rotary clubs, annual chapter dinners about my experience of being a Muslim and the difficulties the Muslim community is experiencing due to the government policies toward us. In August, I shared with Sheila my concerns about flying for the first time since 9/11.  I was worried about the racial profiling that would occur in security.  So I checked my bags and carried only my purse and a file folder. I even wore an open heal shoe (similar to clogs) to avoid unnecessary searching.  I was, however, “randomly” selected each way of my flight.  I don’t like how I and others like me are being targeted.  Why aren’t there more people worried about losing their civil liberties? Today this discrimination is directed to Muslims.  Who will it be tomorrow?

      When Daniel Pearl was killed, I organized the Community Praying for Peace.  I was deeply saddened by what some very bad men did to an innocent man and how they took my religion’s name incorrectly. I invited people from various faiths to come and pray in silence for him and for all people who had lost their lives on and since 9/11.  We came together under the following purpose:

In a world that seems to be filled with violence on a daily basis, we, the Community have come together to pray for peace.  We have put aside our opinions, assessments, and conclusions and ask ourselves, “ What can we do for our Community?  What can we create that is EXTRAORDINARY?”

     Since then with the help of another Jewish friend, I created two websites www.communitypeace.com and www.americanmuslimwoman.com.  This way I can share my message with more people around the world.  The article that Sheila and I wrote for the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle is on the later website. Prayers for peace from various faiths are on the first website.

     I am not sure where Sheila’s and my journey will take us. I feel that we are “in the moment” and God is showing us the way. I know our efforts, are not just educating our children how adults should behave, but also educating the adults in our respective communities how they should behave with one another.

    I am interested in creating an environment where people can learn from each other in a way that does not make one person right and the other wrong.  My hope is that we can create a place where fear and hatred will be replaced by friendship and peace.  Chanukah and Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month, will begin next month(*). It is a time for both religions to be more faithful to the same God.  I believe this religious time will give both of us the opportunity to learn more and share what we have learned with our respective religions. Perhaps  Sheila and I, in our own small way,  can be an example for others to follow.

About the Author: Mahnaz Shabbir lives in Stilwell, Kansas.   She is a first generation American Muslim Woman. Her parents immigrated to the United States in the 1950s from India. She was born in Philadelphia and has lived in the Kansas City area for the last 21 years.  She is married and the mother of four boys-second generation Americans.  She is the Vice President for Strategic Planning and Business Development at Carondelet Health, a Catholic health care system in Kansas City, Missouri. Mahnaz is a board member of the Crescent Peace Society, the American Muslim Council-Heartland Chapter and Cres (Interfaith).   Her article,  “ I am an American Muslim Woman” appeared in the Kansas City Star. She has also written an article for the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle.

Note to Editor:  Ramadan begins with the sighting of the moon. This may fall on November 6, 2002 and end after thirty days followed by an “Eid” Celebration.  Muslims follow a lunar calendar. Next year, Ramadan will move approximately 11 days earlier.