On a fateful day that’s become well-known to the entire world, two towers fell down. On that day, I was 7 years old. I didn’t realize the immense change that would happen to the world on that day. I didn’t know how my life would change that day.

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On that day, every American had something that had hit them. Many had taken pride in these two towers and their pride had been hit. Other Americans had been hit with the loss of close friends or family. I, personally was hit with something else. I was hit with having to deal with misunderstanding and misrepresentation for the rest of my life.

I am a Muslim that’s lived in America all of my life. On that fateful day, something was going to happen to me. I was to become one of the strangers. That was the day that Muslims truly entered a state of being misunderstood in America.

I grew up through this misunderstanding, and 8 years later I’m glad to be one of the strangers. I’m glad that in many situations I’d had to defend my religion of Islam in the face of ignorance or cruelty. I’m glad that in every history class I had to speak up. I’m glad that I had to take the jokes that made fun of my faith and correct those who were mistaken. I’m glad to have grown up being judged and mis-taken for something I’m not.

The reason that I’m glad for all this: If this change hadn’t happened in my life, there would be no worldwide interest in my religion, and it would remain unheard of.

I will conclude with a quote of the last prophet of Islam, Muhamad (peace be upon him):

“Islam came as something strange, and it will return as something strange, so send glad tidings to the strangers.”

You may see this religion or these people as different and weird, but that’s exactly the point. We seem different, and we take a different path, “and that has made all the difference.” (Robert Frost, The Path Not Taken).

Wasalaamu ‘Alaikum

(And peace be upon you).

(p.s. if you want to learn a bit more about Islam, here’s an article on the basics)

(I’m in no way saying that this tragedy was a good thing, and I send any condolences to the families and friends of those who were lost, as I am too an American as you are. My only point is that the effect of it caused an interest and curiosity about my religion. My opinion is mine, and yours is yours)