Practicing Islam in Short Shorts

I came across the story "Practicing Islam in Short Shorts" via social media. It resonates with me so strongly that I had to share it on this platform as well. I've pasted an excerpt below.

The scenario I'm about to describe has happened to me more times than I can count, in more cities than I can remember, mostly in Western cities here in the U.S. and Europe.

I walk into a store.  There's a woman shopping in the store that I can clearly identify as Muslim. In some scenarios she's standing behind the cash register tallying up totals and returning change to customers. She's wearing a headscarf. It's tightly fastened under her face where her head meets her neck. Arms covered to the wrists. Ankles modestly hidden behind loose fitting pants or a long, flowy dress. She's Muslim. I know it. Everyone around her knows it. I stare at her briefly and think to myself, "She can't tell if I'm staring at her because I think she is a spectacle or because I recognize something we share."

I realize this must make her uncomfortable, so I look away. I want to say something, something that indicates I'm not staring because I'm not familiar with how she chooses to cover herself. Something that indicates that my mother dresses like her. That I grew up in an Arab state touching the Persian Gulf where the majority dresses like her. That I also face East and recite Quran when I pray.

- Thanaa El-Naggar 

Time to Dance!

It's that crazy time of the year when everyone crams to finish all work before the festive season closure. Can you hear the excitement in my voice?

Grumpy Cat

Song Quest

I bought the book Song Quest by Katherine Roberts at an SPCA charity book sale . It was one of their R50 sales, i.e. buy a bag for R50 and you can fill it with as many books as you’d like. Winning!

Msaki

I first discovered Msaki through my very cool friend Randomarivate. Rhandz had seen Msaki perform in Pretoria and when she got back to CT, she introduced me to Msaki’s street performance of ‘Dear Youth’ on Youtube. I was hooked.

She (Msaki not Rhandzu ;)) is an ah-may-zing singer-songwriter.

Iron Sky

This song. These lyrics. This video. 

Difficult to Love

Saw this poem a while ago on Verbal-Sid’s blog. I love it.

For women who are difficult to love 

by Warsan Shire

you are a horse running alone

and he tries to tame you

compares you to an impossible highway

to a burning house

says you are blinding him

that he could never leave you

forget you

want anything but you

you dizzy him, you are unbearable

every woman before or after you

is doused in your name

you fill his mouth

his teeth ache with memory of taste

his body just a long shadow seeking yours

but you are always too intense

frightening in the way you want him

unashamed and sacrificial

he tells you that no man can live up to the one who

lives in your head

and you tried to change didn't you?

closed your mouth more

tried to be softer

prettier

less volatile, less awake

but even when sleeping you could feel

him travelling away from you in his dreams

so what did you want to do love

split his head open?

you can’t make homes out of human beings

someone should have already told you that

and if he wants to leave

then let him leave

you are terrifying and strange and beautiful

I was dying

I saw this on @Rasheeda_s instagram account:

“First I was dying to finish high school and start college,
  And then I was dying to finish college and start working;
  And then I was dying to marry and have children; 

  And then I was dying for my children to get old enough for school so I could return to work;
  And then I was dying to retire.

  And now I am dying… and suddenly I realise I forgot to live.”