Home > Work > Ayesha at Last
1 " What do you see when you think of me,A figure cloaked in mysteryWith eyes downcast and hair covered,An oppressed woman yet to be discovered?Do you see backward nations and swirling sand,Humpbacked camels and the domineering man?Whirling veils and terroristsOr maybe fanatic fundamentalists?Do you see scorn and hatred lockedWithin my eyes and soul,Or perhaps a profound ignorance of all the world as a whole?Yet . . .You fail to seeThe dignified personaOf a woman wrapped in maturity.The scarf on my headDoes not cover my brain.I think, I speak, but still you refrainFrom accepting my ideals, my type of dress,You refuse to believeThat I am not oppressed.So the question remains:What do I see when I think of you?I see another human beingWho doesn’t have a clue. "
― Uzma Jalaluddin , Ayesha at Last
2 " No, she is not with child,” Khalid said tightly. “She’s a virgin, and so am I.”There was a stunned silence among the men.“You’re not supposed to say that out loud,” Mo said. “There are women present. "
3 " The assumptions he saw in strangers’ eyes as they took in his beard and skullcap were painful to acknowledge. Khalid had considered shaving or changing his wardrobe many times over the years. It would be easier for the people around him, but it wouldn’t feel right. This is who I am, he thought. "
4 " Just remember to pack light. Dreams tend to shatter if you're carrying other people's hopes around with you. "
5 " Sometimes there were no words, only sunshine on your heart. Alhamdulilah. "
6 " It's not enough to find someone you love. You have to be ready for that love, and ready to make changes to welcome it into your life. "
7 " [Khalid] took a deep, calming breath, and smiled at her, channeling his inner shark. Or at least, dolphin. "
8 " Sheila left her hand outstretched for another moment, cold eyes locked on his face. Then she slowly pulled back and raised an eyebrow. “I should have assumed as much from your clothing. Tell me, Khalid: Where are you from?”“Toronto,” Khalid answered. His face flamed beneath his thick beard; he didn’t know where to look.“No,” Sheila laughed lightly. “I mean where are you from originally?”“Toronto,” Khalid responded again, and this time his voice was resigned.Clara shifted, looking tense and uncomfortable. “I’m originally from Newfoundland,” she said brightly. "
9 " Because while it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single Muslim man must be in want of a wife, there’s an even greater truth: To his Indian mother, his own inclinations are of secondary importance. "
10 " Oh, honey, nobody knows how this thing works. It just happens. Your heart and gut take over, and your mind has to go along with them, because it’s going to happen no matter what. Sometimes you get a sign, and sometimes the sign gets you. "
11 " He is a person, complicated and confused. Just like you. "
12 " Your defect is a tendency to judge everyone,' Ayesha said.'And yours,' he said with a smile, 'is to willfully misunderstand them. "
13 " Just remember to pack light. Dreams tend to shatter if you’re carrying other people’s hopes around with you. "
14 " Nana was right --she must let events run their course. Things would work out on their own. Inshaallah. "
15 " A good teacher grows, they’re not born. "
16 " Khalid does not belong to Hafsa. He does not belong to you either. He belongs to Allah, and Allah is the One who will determine your young man's fate, as well as yours. "
