TH UR SDA Y , OC T O B E R 6 , 2016
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Local author bridges cultures Plano woman seeks greater cultural understanding through writing By ERIKA WURST news@kendallcountynow.com
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decade ago, Rania Zeithar walked through the doors of the Plano Community Library as a young Egyptian immigrant on a mission to improve her weak and broken English. If you would have predicted where she’s standing today, Zeithar would have told you that you have a “very good imagination,” she said. That’s because on recent evening, the Plano mother of two stood before a large audience at that same library, this time presenting her first English-language book, “America Through My Eyes: Experiences of an Egyptian American Muslim Woman.“ Zeithar, who came to America 16 years ago after living in both Saudi Arabia and Egypt, began writing in Arabic at a young age. But, it wasn’t until about four years ago that she began encouraging herself to write in English. As a Muslim woman who wears a hijab, Zeithar said she often found herself misunderstood by her American counterparts. “I had a lot of questions from a lot of people, and I always wanted to answer their questions,” she said. So, Zeithar began writing articles which she shared on her blog, https://mymindflowers.wordpress. com, in hopes that those curious enough could benefit from her answers. “I really want more people to understand this religion and understand these people,” she said, noting that the media’s portrayal of Muslims is far too often skewed. “The only thing we can do to change this is to explain our beliefs.” And, that’s exactly what she did. Zeithar began candidly writing
“My mission in writing was first to explain my religion, my culture, myself and my friends to non-Muslims. But, also, I have learned many things in the United States that we are missing in Egypt.” Rania Zeithar Plano author about her culture, religion and life, and came to share those views with members of the Plano Writer’s Group who encouraged her to compile her writings into a book. “The Plano Writer’s Group is full of amazing people who gave me a lot of courage, improved my self-esteem, improved my English and helped me from A to Z,” she said. Zeithar said that through her book she has been able to reach
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Photos by Erika Wurst for Shaw Media
Plano author Rania Zeithar talks about her Muslim religion, Egyptian culture and life during a discussion on Sept. 19 at the Plano Community Library to promote her new book, “America Through My Eyes: Experiences of an Egyptian American Muslim Woman.” When Zeithar shared her writings on culture, religion and life with members of the Plano Writer’s Group, they encouraged her to compile them into a book.