EDITORIAL

As COVID-19 has griped us and moved from last year to this year with no end in sight, our patience is taking a roller coaster ride. Not only has COVID-19 created havoc on the world's health, it has also taken jobs, businesses, and lives. As we continue to feel that punch, we change a lot in many ways, and we have learned a lot from it.

For one, COVID-19 has digitized human connections. Our contact-less meetings have given us the opportunity to meet distant people yet kept us away from near ones. It is COVID-19 which has made us realize the importance of the human touch. We miss hugs, the emphatic tap, a pat on the back, the caress of a loved one, a bear hug, or the opportunity to cuddle a grandchild.

There were multiple ways we connected to each other and how it benefited us, we never comprehended until we were banned from doing it. It feels so heartbreaking when we cannot put a hand on the grieving shoulder or give a congratulatory hug to a deserving person. I assume that the human race is resilient. It goes through many leaps and bounds and comes out on the other side much stronger.

I am hoping and praying that this gripping test we have faced together will help us to realize that the time we spend on this earth is productive and valuable. I hope we learn to live and let live. That we come out a better person, a better society, and a better world. I hope we use this time to foster strength to leave materialism and self indulgence, and instead create justice and empathy. Nevertheless, when we come out of this, may our new normal be better than the normal we were used to.

Ramadan is around the corner and we are preparing for it; hoping that we will be able to attend the prayers as was the practice of days old. This issue In'Sha'Allah will bring us a dose of much needed uplifting.

Check out this issue for thought provoking, critical thinking pieces: ‘Life’ s a Journey’, ‘Islam & bargaining with Patriarchy’. and ‘Racism Form Within’. Mental health has been on top of the mind with: ‘Under Stress’ and ‘Journaling to Health’, while ‘Seek Me’ might uplift you spiritually In'Sha'Allah. We discuss finances in ‘Wealth & Spending’. The second part of ‘Me Myself & I’ look a little deep into the history of narcissism. And last but not least, ‘Sunflower Fields’ is a story for our young readers to enjoy. I hope you too will enjoy this issue.

I would like to give a huge round of applause to our writers, editors and proofreaders, who have worked hard to bring this issue to you, despite being busy, sick or overwhelmed with personal or COVID-19 related stresses. Reading their work and sharing with your family, friends and colleagues will encourage our writers to continue this journey enthusiastically. Contact us through email northwestmuslim@gmail.com. Please feel free to comment and suggest your voice for our coming issues.