Zabeha Pork

3:30 – I said my goodbyes to those near and dear to me and headed towards the airport. I turned on my favorite radio station and started jamming to the songs.

4:30 – I reached the airport and had to wait thirty minutes to get cleared for flying because apparently I’m on a no fly list. I lost my patience with tsa and the airlines. I had a sick feeling in my stomach that I was going to be late for my flight to visit my brother after not seeing him for 3 months.

5:00 – I passed security. TSA sucks arse. They’re cold insensative people. I hated the dead look they h I’m running to my gate that should already boarding the last few people on the plane. I reach the gate only to see my flight was delayed.

5:10- I find a seat have my iPod in my ears listening to John Mayer. I remembered I didn’t pray so I go to the restroom and do wash myself up so I can pray asr before it’s too late.

 5:15 – I look for a place to pray. I find a corner by the terminal. I pray peacefully my 4 rakaats swiftly but with khushoo.

5:25 – I say my salaam to the both angels on each of my side thus ending my prayer. I make a short prayer asking God to make this trip to Seattle a fun/happy/stress-free one. I see a middle aged dirty blond woman waving her hand in a way to get my attention.

Lady: can you do what you did wearing that? ( She pointed at my Kurti and baggy blue jeans. )

Me: (smiling) I’m covered aren’t I?

Lady: how can you wear your head thing and wear jeans?

 Me: It doesn’t matter what I wear as long as I’m covered.

 Lady: this is Houston. You can’t come wearing that thing on your head and bowing to the ground over and over.

Me: I don’t think there is a rule you can’t be a Muslim living in Houston. ( I silently said in my head hasbunallahu wa ni’mal wakeel. Ni’mal maula wa ni’mun naseer. A prayer I often say when I’m scared. )

Lady: what were you saying anyways? I was watching you. You were moving your lips while you were doing that ritual ( she asked in a rude but curious way.)

Me: I was reciting verses from the qu’ran and praising god and his messengers and finally I asked him to fulfil my wishes and desires.

 Lady: do you like what you’re doing? (she sounded less hostile)

Me: yeah, I love it. It’s the only time I get to communicate with god in a spiritual way. (I see a crowd of 10+ people listening and looking at me.)

 Lady: what if you didn’t do that thing?

Me: if I stopped praying I’d feel empty and honestly I know from experience that it makes me feel I have no purpose in my life.

Lady: (In a sarcastic way) interesting

Me: well which religion do you follow?

Lady: I used to be catholic. But I’m nothing now.

Me: but don’t you feel empty without any God to pray to?

 Lady: sometimes (she softens)

 Me: I suggest you open any holy book whether it’s the bible, Torah, or Quran and hopefully you’ll be spiritually enlightened.

Lady: (again she goes back to her arrogant tone) why do you wear that thing on your head? America hates people like you. Your people hate Americans. Why do you even live in America!?

 Me: I wear my hijab because it’s part of my identity as a Muslim woman. I don’t think Americans hate Muslims. They just fear what they don’t understand. And all Muslims everywhere love America. Those who don’t just make a small minority and that minority is in the spot light. I was born and raised in America so this place is home to me and to millions of other Muslims here.

Lady: You look like a beautiul young woman. Why don’t you just let down your hair and show me how beautiful you really are.

Me: (thinking to myself, am I getting hit on?) well if it was just you and me I can totally show you my hair. But I cover my hair around those who are non related males.

Lady: how do you expect to find a nice man with that on your head?

Me: umm… I found someone.. (I blush and smile shyly) I’m married.

Lady: oh. What does he say about you wearing that?

 Me: I think he’s happy that I hide my beauty for him only and that no guy can see what he can see ( I chuckled nervously)

Lady: you aren’t free.

Me: (bursting out laughing) I’m more free than the ones who don’t wear this.

Lady: you think you’re more free than me? Please….

Me: when any man see’s me he knows that I already have a wall up. I am fully covered so men know their limits and what to say and not to say without crossing the line with me. The women who don’t cover up get mad when a guy hollers (yes I said holler) at them rudely but that’s because what they wear gives wrong signals.

 Lady: Dont you see everyone stares at you and thinks you’re bad? Take it off.

 Me: if they think I’m bad I think that should be even more of a reason for me to wear this so people can say after I interact with them, ‘hey! This woman is a Muslim and she isn’t that bad!’

 Lady: I’m catholic but you don’t see me showing it off.

Me: (what the hell she said she’s nothing earlier) I know many Catholics who wear the cross on their necks. I know many Jews that wear skull caps on theirhead. they’re proud to show off which religion they practice, just like I am. I admire people who have faith and are not afraid to show it off to the world.

Lady: all the religious gear should be banned and everyone should look alike.

 Me: what a dull world would that be! Diversity is beautiful. Umm.. I think people are lining up.

 5:50 – She left. It was a false call, the plane wasnt boarding. I had a Jew, Mormon, Wiccan, baptist, and a soldier from whatever creed take turns introducing themselves to me all saying that I have the patience of a saint and that they were impressed by my words and they learned a lot by that dialog. They all shared the strange religious questions they get from people.

6:20 – I board the plane and sitting next to me was the soldier… We didn’t speak about religion or politics, instead we shared something in common, we were both from Illinois. For the five hour flight we spoke about sports, life, and homesickness. We both were social butterflies (he more than I) that we had people in other rows joining our conversation.