MY Voice Volume 9 Issue 1 Waves of Change

From our snazzy new logo to striking brand colours, we bring you a state-of-the-art version of the organization you know and love. Check out our revamped website and let us know what you think of our new spin for the chance to win a free prize! We’d love to hear from the individuals who drive us; our dedicated audience!

At MY Voice, our audience is our priority.

Connecting with our youth and keeping them engaged enables us to achieve our goals of serving young Muslims, making them leaders of tomorrow, and boosting their confidence in their Canadian Muslim identities.

Why rebrand? With our new look, we hope to build an even greater camaraderie with our audience by authentically reflecting the core personality and values that MY Voice represents.

Through our unique and consistent branding, we strive to stand out and create a comfortable and appealing space for the youth of today in order to encourage them to connect with us.

10 QURAN GEMS It Could’ve Been Worse: The Problem With Rating Hardships 11

QURAN GEMS Things Left in the Past

18 NEWS AND CURRENT EVENTS Nora Al Matrooshi: Hijab Reaching Space 20 RAD MUSLIMS Maingate Islamic Academy Muslim Champions 22

FEATURE Changing Our Normal

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CREATIVE WRITING Starting Over

28 MY PERSPECTIVE Inequalities of the Past & Present 32 MY MEMOIR Hustle Culture is Hurting Us 33

MY MEMOIR The Spirit on the Seashore

34 UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Brick Walls and Brick Roads 36

RECIPE Delectable Tea Sandwiches

38 HEAR ME OUT The Search for Representation 39 HEAR ME OUT Can We Be Happy & Well Informed?

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MY Voice Canada Magazine was founded in 2013 by a parent and a handful of youth wanting to empower young Muslims by providing a platform for creative expression. It is a non-profit organization meant to reach every Canadian and its doors are open to all youth regardless of race, religion, or location. Youth ages 13-29 contribute in many ways by printing and publishing a quarterly magazine and contributing as designers, writers, editors, illustrators and photographers, with all content approved by our Editorial Team.

MY Voice is also an empowerment opportunity for youth to gain valuable experience by mentor and mentee relationships.

Magazines are available via subscription and by ordering in bulk to distribute at your events.

Donations are welcome to help with this effort to keep our Muslim youth engaged positively.

For any questions and concerns please feel free to get in touch by emailing info@myvoicecanada.com or visiting our website at www.myvoicecanada.com Follow us on all our social media platforms @MYVoiceCanada

CONTRIBUTORS Editor-in-Chief Rahima Adeel

Creative Non-Fiction Editor Sumaiyah Choudry

Head Editor Saleha Bakht

Spirituality Editor Aamna Idrees

Assistant Editor Rana Mitwaly

Website Article Editor Hareem Syed

Health and Science Editor Haleema Ahmed

Head Designers Sana Saidi Hedzlynn Kamaruzzaman

News and Current Events Editor Sama Nemat Allah Lifestyle Editor Nimra Ramzan Creative Fiction Editor Isra Iqbal

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Assistant Head Designer Mashaal Oturkar Designer Isabel Shannon Gill

ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

FROM THE EDITOR Dear Reader,

As-Salamu-Alaykum!

The shedding of leaves in autumn reminds us of rebirth and renewal. For students, this means entering a new grade or post-secondary education, the chance to find, mould, and recreate oneself. It also means standing up in the face of adversity and overcoming challenges independently, thereby, discovering one’s own strength. These transitions or Waves of Change help shape who we are and how we see the world around us.

This theme will explore overcoming obstacles beyond our comfort zones. Time and again, our circumstances prompt us to demand change within ourselves, communities, and governments. This past year we have engaged in unlearning and adapting individually and collectively based on the changing environment around us.

This issue’s Feature explores normality and how normal may be challenged and changed based on individual comfort and needs. A powerful critique surrounding Muslim and hijab represenation in the entertainment industry and media may inspire you in MY Memoir. Read a powerful anecdote in Quran Gems in relation to respecting each person’s individual hardships and levels of tolerance.

Whether or not we are ready, life will throw curveballs. In some situations, we may triumph and in others, we may not. Whatever the case, there are lessons around us and within us. Go easy on yourself and appreciate your journey, however different it may appear from others.

Every person will experience trials of unease and moments of joy. In both circumstances, you are the author of your story.

Write freely,

Rahima Adeel Editor-in-Chief

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8 | JUST ASK

ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

Questions answered by: Omar Zia B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Ed., OCT High School Guidance Counsellor DawaNet, Board of Directors

How may we control anger?

Thank you for the question; anger is an intense, emotional response to a provocation that is perceived as hurtful, harmful or a threat.

Anger can also be a response to discomfort, uncooperative or dismissive statements or actions. The first question is, do we need to control our anger? The simple answer is, “yes” and this is illustrated in the advice given by the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) when he stated, “The strong is not the one who overcomes the people. Rather, the strong person is the one who controls him/herself while in a state of anger” (Sahih al-Bukhari).

Furthermore, Allah describes the believer as one who controls their anger, in Surah 3, Verses 133-134.

feelings of discomfort or anger to fester and fester to the point of boiling over. When we reach this point we will be in a reactive state and may say things or do things in anger which will be harmful and hurtful to others – the same that we hate for our own selves. When someone causes us discomfort, consider having a private conversation with that person to address the issue(s) of discomfort in a respectful and proactive manner. Be straightforward and, for example, say, “When you do...I feel...so, I need you to...”

How may we deal with gender interactions, while avoiding getting into haram relationships or looking at others with attraction. In today’s world, this is so so hard.

Attraction between genders is normal and acceptable, as this is the general nature of human beings and other species. It may also be considered a necessary part of species survival and propagation. There are, however, limits with what we can do when we experience attraction. First, it is important to remember that the concept of boyfriends and girlfriends and, by default, dating are forbidden as is mentioned in the Quran: Chapter 5, Verse 5 and Chapter 4, Verse 25. This will also include online dating or dating through social media.

So, how do we gain control? The Prophet (PBUH) taught us the following:

1. Seek refuge in Allah from the

accursed devil (A’ouzoobillahi Min

ash-shaytani rajeem) (Sahih al-Bukhari)

2. Perform wudu’ (Sunan Abu Dawood)

3. Remain silent (Musnad Ahmad)

4. Sit down and, if still angry, lie down

(Sunan Abu Dawood)

5. Making du’a and recitation of the

Qur’an, specifically Surah 2, Verse 153

Second, we need to take steps to avoid tempting ourselves to engage in lawless behaviour associated with our attraction. Allah tells both men and women to lower their gaze and to protect their chastity so they avoid getting involved in harmful actions. The Prophet (PBUH) echoed this sentiment when he said, “Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between their two jaw-bones and what is between their two legs (i.e. his tongue and his private parts), I guarantee Paradise for them” (Sahih al-Bukhari). This means we should not be involved in looking at pornography or be involved in sexting or taking and sharing nude or inappropriate selfies.

Another step is being proactive in preventing ourselves from becoming angry. A companion asked the Prophet (PBUH) for advice and the Prophet (PBUH) repeatedly stated to the companion “do not be angry” (Sahih alBukhari). In the context of when this question was being asked, the Prophet (PBUH) was teaching us to deal with uncomfortable situations immediately, rather than allowing

This doesn’t mean we walk around staring at the ground, nor does it mean we cannot look at the opposite gender. Rather, we need to keep our relationships focused, professional, and academic to prevent crossing the boundary between halal and haram. It is important to hold onto our faith-based identity to govern how we function in society, as we are not always cognizant of the long term impact and consequences of engaging in forbidden acts.

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Aamna Idrees, 19 A lost job. A failed test. A dead pet. These are everyday hardships people face. Then, in the wake of the pandemic, ‘everyday’ expanded its list. Missing graduations. Not meeting friends and family. Constant Zoom calls followed by fatigue.

One initial reaction is to tell ourselves, “it’s not so bad.” We complain at first, but people will quickly correct us regarding ‘first world dilemmas’: at least your family is alive. At least you’re not in a war. At least you have food and shelter.

It could always be worse. We should worry about others who have real problems. Right?

Hardship rating is comparing your difficulties against those who experience more severe hardship. The principle is not a bad one; after all, our Prophet Muhammad PBUH1 advised us to compare ourselves with those lower rather than above us.2 However, the problem is when we treat certain stressors as less valid.

‘minor’. But the reality is that everyone’s trials are dictated by Allah SWT3, whether it be war or school. Just as no two souls are meant to be the same, neither are trials. We struggle through the hardships on our path in order to reach realizations. Brushing over perceived smaller trials takes away from the learning experience that might have helped us face bigger troubles in the future.

Counterarguing someone’s problem with a worse case scenario does not help alleviate grievances or spread positivity. Overlooking a personal situation can make someone feel hurt, invisible, or misunderstood. Imagine responding to an elementary schooler’s question on what BEDMAS is with a reference to quantum physics and how much worse post-secondary students have it. The approach leads to zero productivity in terms of addressing the problem at hand.

A healthier approach is listening and accepting troubles that others face. If possible, validate them through words of comfort and work towards solutions to the difficulty. Ask yourself what the sufferer needs and try to deliver, whether it’s relatable advice or just a friend who can listen. Once the hardship and its associated feelings are acknowledged, then you can bring up varying troubles. This way, more severe examples will help promote gratitude because the individual may appreciate how much better they may have it once they are not focused on their own negative predicament.

Dismissing worries by waving them off as insignificant is damaging to people’s mental health. It invites feelings of shame or self hatred because of the implication that you are weak or petty for feeling upset over something

10 | QURAN GEMS

Next time you or someone is facing anything less than an apocalypse, refrain from the ‘get over it’ attitude. Treating all problems that come your way with the same respect will make you that much more prepared to accept the presence or absence of bigger struggles.

PBUH: Peace Be Upon Him.Paired with the prophet Muhammad’s name to send respect.

2 https://quranx.com/hadith/Maram/ English/Book-16/Hadith-1482/ 3 SWT: Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. Paired with the name of GOD to glorify HIM. 1

ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

Isra Iqbal, 19

Life before COVID-19 is just a memory and

the only thing I can do is reminisce. Before, I used to see my friends and family almost every week. I used to go shopping with my sister and I would dine out often with my loved ones. Now, I see their texts and the clothes I want come at my doorstep. I use Uber Eats to order whatever I want, sit alone, and enjoy the meal I paid too much for.

COVID-19 has changed the world forever.

Many optimistically believe this change will be temporary, but I believe that some changes are permanent. Not to say that this virus will be permanent; rather, the way COVID-19 has changed our lives and the structure of society will have irreversible effects.

When I look back, I lost valuable time that I will not have again. A void of loneliness and sadness ate away at me and I gave into despair.

However, someone once told me to find happiness in the little things. This motivated me to fill the dark void that consumed me.

There is a hadith that goes, “Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it.” (Sahih Muslim, 2999) This hadith helped me out of despair. It taught me to be patient during difficult times and to have faith in Allah because, for those who do so, good will come their way and they will achieve peace.

Now, I create a sense of purpose and try to make the most of every day because every second is valuable. Instead of thinking about the fun adventures my friends and I used to have, I call them and we talk about our new adventures after COVID-19. I learned to make the meals I used to eat when dining out and, that way, I’m not draining my bank account.

Even though I can’t eat with friends or family, I deliver food to their houses, with proper social distancing measures, of course!

These changes are slowly starting to fill the void of loneliness and replace the darkness with light. Life as we know it may not change back to the previous normal, according to how we interact with others or regarding the social ‘norms’ of society. However, we can make the best out of the current situation and have hope that one day these unusual circumstances will be over.

QURAN GEMS | 11

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Hamza Shahid, 19

ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

“Teri dua hai keh ho teri aarzu puri, Meri dua hai teri aarzu badal jaye!”

“You pray that your desire be fulfilled, I pray that your desire be changed!”

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Saif Khan, 17

14 | COMIC

ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

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16 | COMIC

ethically made with love

iLoveModesty iLoveModesty iLoveModesty_

w w w. i L OVE M ODEST Y .com

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Sabah Raja

ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

Does the name Nora Al Matrooshi

remind you of anyone? An activist? Social Media Influencer? Wait, hold on, she might have posted that funny TikTok video of a cat thinking out loud?

Still thinking where she might have made her big debut, here are two words for your thoughts: space exploration. Recognizing the changing narrative of how Muslim women can successfully represent exploration in space, shows how empowering it can be to succeed as an individual when you aim to achieve your goals. Present day, 65 women in the world have been to space, but she will be the first Muslim Arab woman to reach for the stars in space.

Nora Al Matrooshi was born in 1993 and her journey began in the emirate of Sharjah, where she attended stargazing events and enjoyed learning about space in elementary school. She pursued a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education at the United Arab Emirates University and graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. During her studies, she took first place in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) for the 2011 International Mathematical Olympiad. After being selected, she became a part of the 2013 UAE Youth Ambassadors Programme in South Korea, adding to her accomplishments. Strongly

passionate about encouraging youth in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, she represented the UAE at the UN International Youth Conference in 2018 and 2019. Nora has also managed projects for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Saleh, 2021).

At 27-years old she officially became the first Muslim Arab female astronaut from the UAE to be selected from over 4000 applicants, and part of the second batch of Emirati astronauts to join NASA’s 2021 Astronaut Candidate Class in the United States. Currently, she is a member of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers and an engineer at the National Petroleum Construction Company (Centre, 2021).

Her rise to astronomical success and accomplishments began with pursuing what she has always been passionate about, getting involved and giving back to her regional, national and international community. “Do what makes you happy,” is Noor al Matrooshi’s motto in life. When you choose to do something in life, ask yourself, “Will this make me happy?

Am I doing this for the right reasons? What will I learn, gain, or give back by doing this?”

Saleh, Z. (2021, April 13). 8 Things to Know About Nora Al Matrooshi, the First Female Arab Astronaut. Vogue Arabia. https://en.vogue.me/culture/nora-almatrooshi-first-arab- female-astronaut/.

Centre Space MBR. (@MBRSpaceCentre). (2021, April 10).

Space was her passion since childhood...

Nora AlMatrooshi, the new member of the UAE Astronaut Programme #UAEAstronauts #UAEAstronautProgramme @ Astronaut_Nora @TheUAETRA. Twitter. https://twitter.com/MBRSpaceCentre/ status/1380820144675508224?s=20.

NEWS AND CURRENT EVENTS | 19

Mohammed Maxwel

ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

Grade seven team, the Frenchfry Pigeons, came in second place at the Let’s Talk Science Challenge.

Left to right: Noor Albehisi, Yasmine Husameldin and Amira Char.

In May 2021, students from Maingate Islamic Academy participated in a nation-wide science competition, reaching finals and receiving an award for their accomplishment.

The grade 7 team, called Frenchfry Pigeons, won second place in the Lorna Collins Spirit Award. The grades 6 and grades 8 teams went to the finals.

We’re proud to say that Maingate Islamic Academy is one of the rare Islamic schools that not only participated in this challenge, but succeeded in being in the finals and Maingate Islamic Academy is a private elementary Islamic school located in Mississauga, won second place!

Ontario. The students range from Junior 5. What was the students’ involvement in the Kindergarten to Grade 8 and the school builds challenge? upon the Ontario curriculum within an Islamic environment. Students learn French, Quran, Grade 6, 7 and 8 students began preparations Arabic and Islamic Studies as early as Junior in December 2020. The event took place on Kindergarten. Being surrounded by fellow May 28, 2021. This year, the subjects included Muslims, a strong sense of Muslim identity is Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Math, Earth created and established.

Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Science, and Space Science.

2. What is the Let’s Talk Science Challenge?

Students collaborated remotely in weekly study sessions and participated in the practice rounds.

The Let’s Talk Science Challenge, hosted

by University of Toronto, is a yearly national 6. What is the future of Maingate Islamic competition across Canada that focuses Academy? Future plans, leadership, etc. on STEM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). In 2021, the Maingate Islamic Academy strives to be the competition went virtual and focused on role model of Islamic schools in Canada. The advanced academic concepts beyond the Academy endeavours to combine the Ontario students’ regular curriculum. curriculum with a strong Islamic education to build future Muslim-Canadian leaders in society.

3. What is the Lorna Collins Spirit Award?

One of the projects in the works is for Maingate Islamic Academy to open a high school, The Lorna Collins Spirit Award is awarded to continuously building ties within the community the team or individual that shows the greatest to serve the Muslim population in Mississauga. spirit, team commitment, fun and creativity.

1. For those who do not know, what is Maingate Islamic Academy?

4. What are the event/award/accomplishment highlights?

This year, over 15,000 grade 6, 7, and 8 students took part in this national challenge from coast to coast. 470 teams and 1,800 students reached the finals.

RAD MUSLIMS | 21

22 | FEATURE

ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

Firdose Khan, 13

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ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

// CHANGINGOURNORMAL Pre-COVID me wouldn’t recognize me now — I’ve changed and I am grateful to say that I have changed for the better. I hit a milestone last year, beginning my first year of high school.

If you asked me two years ago what I thought it would be like, a description of me sitting in my room in front of two screens all day is the last thing that would come to mind. But God gave us this situation for a reason. I was bitter about it at first, but there’s no denying that it has taught me so many things.

We have learned the value of patience, for one. In Ontario, we have been through so many lockdowns, each time not knowing how long it would last. We learned to be adaptable. Before COVID-19, I do not think I was as willing to embrace change as I am now.

We have learned not to limit ourselves to what is right in front of us. Because of COVID-19, we’ve had to basically relocate our entire lives to the Internet. There are many opportunities I was granted this year because they were online and people that I have met through them that I would not have met otherwise.

Perhaps the biggest lesson for me is that I learned to appreciate things while we still have them. Even annoying things like lockdown. We will never have as much free time as we do right now. We have our youth, as annoying as it may be to grow up during these times.

I learned just how strong I am. Just how strong the people around me are, as well as the value of community and how — even when we cannot be together — we can find ways to connect.

Looking back, I was not in the best place mentally in March 2020. The world was not in the best place either and I do not think it has been for awhile. This has been a scary wake-up

24 | FEATURE

call for everyone from country leaders to health ministers to me, a teenage girl who learned not to take things for granted.

Personally, I would not want to go back to being the same person I was before COVID-19 started.

I think this time has been important for everyone’s development.

A lot of people’s ‘true colors’ came out during this time. Due to this, I got to learn who my real friends were, the people who would try to stay in touch with me when proximity was no longer the thing bonding us. In a way, this time has cleansed us of the unnecessary things in our lives, forcing us to strip down to the bare essentials of education or work. It has led us to re-evaluate what and who we really need in our lives. I feel like everything we do is more intentional now, especially communication.

I am both terrified and excited about things ‘going back to normal’, because how normal can we be after this period of change? This chapter of self reflection? This time that was a series of unfortunate events, but also necessary ones? This year that opened our eyes to both the world’s problems and possibilities?

I think that before we can go back to normal, we need to ask ourselves what that normal looks like for us as individuals. What parts of this pandemic-changed world do we want to keep?

Society was flawed before this and will always be flawed, but we can still change our actions to make the world a little better for ourselves and those around us.

So I ask you, how have you changed this year?

What have you learned about yourself, others, or the world? Do you think we can redefine what ‘normal’ looks like to ourselves and to our world?

Amani Omar, 19

Visual Artist, Writer, and Spoken Word Poet

The Kudu Chieftess was a piece I used to break out of an art block. It combined both heritage and my love of fantasy together into a piece that reminded me of my childhood love for magical girls like Sailor Moon and Tokyo Mew Mew. In a sense it also captured the idea of my own “animal” magical girl idea I thought of as a child but in a way that was true to me and not just a carbon copy of Japanese anime. The Kudu Chieftess is the representation that I always craved for, that I finally started to make into reality.

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ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

Sanjana Karthik Sanjana Karthik Sanjana Karthik Sanjana Karthik Beginnings are difficult.

An assurance of change; It is yearning and optimism And the apprehension of failure Without no desire to look back And intending to move forward Your vulnerability dissipates As you leave regrets at bay Letting it go, you envision a better tomorrow. Hoping for a vision to emerge from the dark, Praying for some sort of spark.

And you do this over And over, Again...

Until finally that “tomorrow” grows into a “today” Your distress becomes “yesterday” And your new beginning is your present...

All of God’s gifts Descended From heaven.

CREATIVE WRITING | 27

Hana Sheikh, 21

SO ALTHOUGH THE PAN HAS BEEN A GLOBAL S THE POOREST AND MO VULNERABLE AMONG U BEEN HIT THE HARDES

ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

PANDEMIC AL STRUGGLE, MOST NG US HAVE DEST.

SO ALTHOUGH THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN A GLOBAL STRUGGL THE POOREST AND MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US HAVE BEEN HIT THE HARDEST. Who would have thought we would spend the last two years of our lives in a pandemic?

Each of us, trying to continue our lives online and survive under unique circumstances.

And though this digital experience has been interesting, offering transparent lenses to the world and gratitude to the many things we take for granted, personally, it has stirred up some questions. Like how and why has the pandemic affected us all differently? Are we doing our best to look out for the neediest of our communities? What about those who cannot afford to go online? Who’s taking care of them?

I know that these questions might be overwhelming or even uncomfortable to answer, but let’s reflect on one: how has the pandemic affected us all differently? One analysis by Global News showed “a strong association between high coronavirus rates and low income, conditions of work, visible minority status and low levels of education”.1 Public Health Ontario found that our most ethnoculturally diverse neighbourhoods fall under this disproportionate impact, with hospitalization rates from COVID-19 being four times higher than less diverse neighbourhoods and death rates twice as high.2

These are scary numbers but unsurprising to people who have studied and paid close attention to these persisting inequalities.

“What might unite the fight against COVID-19 with the protests against systemic racism is the message that a society is only as strong as its weakest link. And sometimes it takes a crisis for everyone to see the inequalities that were there all along”.3 So although the pandemic has been a global struggle, the poorest and most vulnerable among us have been hit the hardest. Clearly, we need to do more to ensure that they’re not left behind as we attempt to move forward. This may mean volunteering with local shelters or food banks, raising awareness on the inequalities of the past and present, calling on our government to take appropriate action, and allocating resources and systems that sustain us all equally. https://globalnews.ca/news/7015522/ black-neighbourhoods-torontocoronavirus-racism/ 2 https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/ media/documents/ncov/epi/2020/06/ covid-19-epi-diversity.pdf?la=en 3 https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ pandemic-covid-coronavirus-cerbunemployment-1.5610404 1

MY PERSPECTIVE | 29

ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

Shahaab Khan, 25

Bystander This image was taken during a demonstration for Palestine in Milton, Ontario. What I find most captivating about it is the onlooker glancing at the protest from their window. It made me reflect on how often we ourselves are bystanders to what transpires around us?

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HUSTLE CULTURE IS HURTING US Rahima Adeel, 27

Home barber shop. Event-planning business. Desserts.

Dessert tables. Dessert carts. Customized calligraphy and paintings. Family photography. Graduation photography.

Wedding photography. Henna. Customized t-shirts and mugs. Hijabs and accessories. Academic editing services.

Self-taught MUA.

“♥♥♥ Hey guys! I recently started a business. Like, follow, and share. Show some love! ♥♥♥” Sound familiar? Over the past half decade or so, we have seen the rise of numerous young businesses on social media. Many of these are owned by us and our peers. I have had one. Ambition is great.

Being your own boss has lots of benefits. And curating your hobbies and talents into profit can only mean a win right?

Wrong. I believe hustle culture is eroding our self-worth, clarity, and intentions.

Not only are we pressurized to perfect our craft, but also our social media brand. There is a looming subconscious demand to ensure our posts are pristine, witty, and eye-catching. In fact, how many items do we make as business owners and buy as consumers, almost purely for the benefit of sharing it with our friends and posting it on social media? Do you find it difficult to enjoy an aesthetic ice-cream cone, watch a sunset, or attend a party without capturing the best angles? My point exactly. We have become swept away with details and flawlessness to the extent we produce and consume for vanity.

Personally, I have received pressure from well-meaning people in my life to develop my hobbies and talents into profit. I give a half smile. It’s not like I haven’t thought of it before. But, it’s

32 | MY MEMOIR

the pressure to do and be everything for an end that makes me uncomfortable. I wish some of the things that bring me joy, like art and DIY, could just be for me. Right now, these things are for me and I am not ready for them to be judged and critiqued or thrown numbers at so that it has a quantitative value. Maybe, in the future, I could explore art and DIY as professional ventures. However, that is when I am ready and willing with clarity and intention.

I wish we would stop complimenting each other’s hobbies and talents with the insinuation that they are not whole until there is recognition and financial profit. I know business owners dedicate a lot of time, energy, resources, and love into their businesses. But I wish we also acknowledged that the people who are doing the same things, perhaps for fun, self-care, or de-stressing, also have value, even if there is no financial output. Can we stop measuring ourselves and our friends’ worth based on the beauty of their social media or the successes of their business?

ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

THE SPIRIT ON THE SEASHORE

Hareem Syed, 19

Upon facing the grim reality of death, alongside a sense of

sorrow, one discovers the hidden treasures concealed by its dark veil. In the past year, death has been an unwelcome yet regular visitor. From time to time, I found myself consoling others for their losses. It was only after I lost my own grandmother that this incessant visitor became one of the most valuable teachers in my life.

For my grieving mind, a shoreline where water meets land served as a metaphor for the boundary between life and death.

The beach was my world and the ocean was the great beyond.

The spirit of my lost loved one remained on the shore in the form of fond memories. As the sands of time slipped by, so did the memories. I scrambled to hold onto them but, before I knew it, they had slipped through my fingers. After grieving and praying for my grandmother, my heart finally found peace

and I returned to everyday life. With my acceptance, the spirit on the seashore disappeared into the sea, leaving me behind.

Upon contemplation, I realized that my loss did not leave me empty-handed, as a treasure box washed up on the shore.

The first treasure I discovered is the value of loved ones. It was very difficult to move on from the loss of my beloved grandmother but I realized how lucky I am to have experienced such a profound relationship with her. We often take this blessing for granted without seeing the light it brings to our lives. This became very clear to me, not only because of my loss but because of the emotional support my family received from friends and relatives alike. Even severed ties were reconnected, as we received condolences from previously estranged people.

The second treasure is understanding the meagre space we occupy in this world. Among countless souls, one individual occupies a single, small spot. It is unlikely that generations to come will even know our names. We believe our world revolves around us, but in reality, we are just another drop in the ocean.

The last treasure is a reminder of this life’s temporary nature.

One day, we will all remain only as memories before our loved ones let us go. In the end, everything is left on the shore; it is our good deeds that help us swim in our eternal realm.

A few nights ago, I dreamt of my grandmother watering some flowers. She looked up at me and her eyes sparkled as she gave me a warm smile. I miss her dearly and often remember her in my prayers, but I find peace in knowing that she is afloat in the wonderful sea of the afterlife.

MY MEMOIR | 33

Saleha Bakht, 26 34

ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

To see that change within ourselves reflected on a greater scale, we must use technology again. Hopefully in lockdown you’ve learned a few new tricks, just a few new things to talk to people you’ve never spoken to before.

We learned how to write and sign petitions.

We learned scripts to call our elected representatives. We learned how to get engaged in spheres beyond our schools and workplaces. We reached out to connect in lockdown in a way we had never done before. We must continue to do so as we leave lockdown.

In lockdown, what else was there to do but be on our phones? We couldn’t be in the physical company of another. With a phone, though, we could still talk face to face, voice to voice, and have instant communication.

Technology kept us in touch. Technology made it possible to watch around the world what lockdown protocols worked, which countries had better results than others. Technology let us see that some countries denied that COVID-19 would hurt them and suffered for it.

We got to see some countries continue wars despite the world coming to a halt. It was a halt that, for us as individuals, taught us to centre ourselves, ground ourselves, and reprioritize our goals. But it was a halt that, for our governments, didn’t change too much.

It’s frustrating to see personal growth not reflected in our political leadership. It is infuriating to see political leadership fall into the same negative behaviours that they would practice before the pandemic.

“ WHILE THE MOTIVATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS MAY HAVE CHANGED, THE WHEELS THAT PUSH POLITICAL BEHAVIOUR HAVE NOT CHANGED TO REFLECT THAT ” Remember those new skills you learned in lockdown? Remember the power of the world at your fingertips?

We learned so much during lockdown and, now that we’re coming out, we can see that not everyone changed in the same ways.

While the motivations of individuals may have changed, the wheels that push political behaviour have not changed to reflect that.

Write. Call. Post. Share. Defeat algorithms of censorship that would bury the Palestinian struggle. Share the open letters that journalists signed so that they may be able to write freely.

Bringing attention to an issue matters.

Spreading the word matters.

To be fair, systems don’t work as fast as individuals do. Change on a national level won’t happen as fast — or at all — as change within yourself will.

Be engaged citizens. All the things you learned in lockdown, don’t let them disappear because you don’t see them reflected in the new world around you. Let your idea be heard in new ways, stronger ways, more developed ways. In this new but old and familiar place, your voice matters more than ever. Your voice can be the one brick among many that build a path to the world you want to see reflected. The world that you saw was needed.

It can be immensely frustrating to see our personal evolutions be confronted with the same old systems. We may feel like we’ve come against brick walls in our progress. Metaphorical and intangible brick walls.

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE | 35

ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

Rahima Adeel, 27

These delectable tea sandwiches are not only a crowd pleaser, but are super easy and quick to make!

Ingredients 1 chicken breast ½ tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper ½ tsp white pepper ¼ paprika 2 tbsp mustard ¾ cup of mayonnaise 1 loaf whole wheat or white bread

* Optional: Food colouring of your choice

Optional Add cucumber, black olives, or boiled eggs between layers.

Tip Repurpose the bread crusts as bread crumbs.

1 Cut the chicken breast into 3-inch cubes.

2 Add the chicken cubes to a saucepan and add just enough water to cover them.

3 Boil the chicken cubes until they are just cooked.

4 Let the chicken cubes cool and using two forks, shred them.

5 In a bowl, add all the dry spices.

6 Mix in the mustard and mayonnaise.

7 Add the shredded chicken and mix well.

8 At this point, have a taste and feel free to

add in others spices and flavours you love!

9 Add food colouring to give the sandwiches a whimsical aesthetic.

10 Remove the bread crusts.

11 Apply the mixture to untoasted bread slices and cut horitonizally.

SERVE WITH TEA AND ENJOY!

36 | RECIPE

THE SEARCH FOR REPRESENTATION Shifaa Syed, 19

Like many hijab-wearing girls in Canada, I know that

there are painfully few hijabi icons in North American art and entertainment. The few that are present are typically misrepresented and inaccurate. It is annoying, misleading, and has real negative effects. Whenever a new movie or TV show comes out with a Muslim character, I always hold my breath. Most art forms, like paintings, digital art, bloggers, and social media often give a very one-dimensional view of hijab- wearing girls. The few that portray hijabis are typically light-skinned and do not wear clothing according to the modest dress code that many Muslim women abide by. This narrative is damaging not only to non-Muslims and their perception of Islam but also to Muslim girls themselves.

Growing up, I rarely saw girls who looked like me at school, on TV, on products, or anywhere really. I am blessed to have parents who tried their hardest to expose me to positive Muslim influences, but the fact is that those influences were few and far between. The irony is that, while I was looking for hijabi influences for myself, I ended up becoming a hijabi influencer for others. In middle school, high school, and even university, I was almost always the only hijabi. This meant that, to others, I essentially represented all hijab-wearing girls. I was always asked questions about my religion, the hijab, and political issues around the world. Not just by non-Muslims, but by Muslims too. At first, this made me very uncomfortable.

When I was younger, I was still figuring out my own identity, so forget about others challenging me for answers. However, as time went on, I learned more about myself and why I believe what I believe. The questions helped me look for deeper answers and, in the end, I came out more confident in my

38 | HEAR ME OUT

faith than ever before. While I was lucky to be given the strength to navigate these experiences, it was in no way easy or comfortable. I often felt alone and on the defensive. No single hijabi should represent the entirety of Muslim women. It is not fair for others, or herself, to assume this responsibility. It is also not fair that she should feel alone.

As a hijab-wearing woman, I have always craved representation in art forms around me. Throughout the years, I have found only a handful of artists who create quality content for Muslim women.

I finally decided to create the representation I have always looked for through my very own digital art brand, HijabaeDesigns!

I create minimalistic digital designs featuring diverse Muslim women in a variety of products. I also incorporate a wide range of skin tones, ethnic features, and clothing styles in my art. I hope Muslim women can benefit from my HijabaeDesigns shop and it inspires them to feel proud of who they are, helping them recognize that they are never alone.

!

ISSUE 01 VOLUME 09

CAN WE BE HAPPY & WELL INFORMED Firdose Khan, 13

Can we be happy and well informed? I open my social

media apps and shudder as I scroll through an endless stream of dismal news. Lately, it has been the murder of people of colour. Desperate to find something that is not sad, I keep scrolling. I cannot find it. Soon, I am crying.

It feels like happiness cannot coexist alongside the horrors of this world. I feel guilty smiling and enjoying my day while there are people who no longer can. As a Muslim, I feel this intense sadness, this overwhelming grief that is always there, just barely constrained.

‘The Ummah is like one body, if one part is in pain, the whole body is in pain’. - Prophet Muhammad (SAW1), Sahih Al-Bukhari, 60112 With social media spreading news like wildfire, I feel like this hadith is quite relevant these days. I believe that awareness is good and that atrocities should be acknowledged. However, I also think we should assess our mental health before subjecting ourselves to negative news or else we will be in more pain.

I feel desensitized to tragedy. It has become such a normal part of my life to scroll through bad news as though it is nothing.

I sometimes wonder how it would feel to be completely oblivious to all bad things. To never have heard of them in the first place.

To not feel guilty about distracting myself from them. To not feel like I have to somehow fix it all. Would I be happy then?

Our generation has had it arguably harder while also significantly easier than past ones. I feel like it is a lot harder to be happy even with all the good things. We have the impending doom of our dying planet hanging over our heads, as well as all the terrible things that are not disappearing with the polar bears.

An atrocity I cannot stop thinking about is the murder of Ma’khia Bryant, a 16-year-old African- American girl who was fatally shot by the police after calling them for help and how she could have easily been one of my friends. Is this what young people must be subjected to? The murder of their friends? It is not like the youth of the past were not exposed to these horrors, but I feel like this is ever-present nowadays. Now, with this endless stream of information we are receiving, news reaches far more people than it would have before.

She was not my friend, so why does it feel personal? Feeling empathetic towards those in tragic circumstances is a good thing, but too much empathy can be harmful to the one feeling it. We need to take better care of ourselves in this world of hustle culture alongside the endless negative news, or else we will burn out. But is preventing that an impossible feat?

So I ask you the same question I have been asking myself lately: Can we be happy and well informed?

1. ‘SAW’ is an abbreviation for the Arabic phrase ‘salla Allahu allayhi wasalaam’ which means ‘May the peace and blessings of Allah (God) be upon him’ 2. Abu Amina Elias. “Hadith on Brotherhood: Believers Are One Body in Compassion.” Daily Hadith Online, 1 June 2021, www.abuaminaelias.com/ dailyhadithonline/2012/03/03/believers- like-body/.

3. “Black 16-Year-Old Girl Fatally Shot by Police in Ohio | CBC News.”

CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 22 Apr. 2021, www.cbc.ca/news/world/ shooting-columbus-ohio-girl-1.5995884.

HEAR ME OUT | 39

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