What is it Like to be a Black American Muslim Woman Abroad?
Q: Are you just another angry Black Muslim woman?
A: No, I’m not JUST another angry Black Muslim woman.
Q: Then why the title?
A: Why do you think I have the question mark? That’s because I leave it up to my readers to decide. People are going to make their pre-judgments anyways. But if they read on, perhaps they’ll think about these issues in a different way.
I hope to write about issues that relate to me, and hopefully some of you. Don’t be suprised when I write about some uncomfortable topics. In addition to writing about my personal experiences, I will write about racism, colorism, sexism, classism, regionalism, and all the “isms” that shape our experiences. Some of my entries may be me thinking out loud as I work through a difficult issue. I try to be respectful, but my aim for honesty and candor will override political correctness. I appreciate your feedback, especially if you engage with my ideas and provide thoughtful commentary or questions. You don’t have to agree with me, I just hope that you understand where I am coming from.
I am interested in how different people approach various issues. So, please share your personal experiences. They are often very insightful. I have a limited perspective that is shaped by my subjectivity as an educated Black American Muslim woman who grew up in a working class multi-cultural community. My experiences transcend race, class, and religious affiliation. I will talk about the ways race, class, gender, and religious identity intersect in my daily life. I believe we can learn from each other. I am interested in how your experiences and multiple identities shape the way you see the world.
While my academic training places me in the category of the educated elite, I do not subscribe to elitism. I welcome dialog with people of all classes and levels of education. I came from a single parent household and a working class background. I have known failure, I have known success, I know about struggling, I know about the ease that follows hardship. With the Grace of God, I’ve experienced what it’s like to overcome obstacles and I have many more obstacles to overcome and I have a lot of growing to do.
After August 2007, I will begin to share my experiences as a Black American Muslim woman in the Middle East. This will surely be a test….But then again, isn’t everything?
I’ve got a lock on you momma.
Nin
your site is gorgeous!
I’m so proud. I’ll stop leaving messages now.
I’m so glad you set this up! I look forward to reading and discussing.
so u finally went public!!?
a little ris-kay my friend, but long overdue! tell it like it is girl!
THANKS TO ALLAH, I FOUND YOU.
Beautiful. I’ll stay posted.
Great blog! I would like to give my thoughts on the liquor stores. I personally do not drink any alcohol. I live in a suburb of Washington, DC and I have noticed that there are few stores selling alcohol. But If I go to certain areas of Washington DC, it looks like there is a liquor store at almost every other street corner. What are our elected officials doing about this? I thought that there would be restrictions on the number of liquor selling stores in an area. Are the officials not partially responsible for such an unacceptable situation knowing what damage alcoholism can cause to individuals and families?
Why are there more liquor selling stores in the economically depressed areas than in “well to do” suburbs.
Second I think that the members of the “Yemeni booze cartel” are hypocrites. I am sure that many of them pretend to be “good muslims” but they have no second thoughts when it comes to selling “booze” and expired foods to “abeeds” (pejorative word they use word for Blacks). Furthermore what are they contributing to these communities?
What are some of your apprehensions or preconceived notions about going to the Middle East as a Black woman?
No pre-conceived notions…I’ve been to Morocco so I have a bit of experience with the Black woman travel experience in the Middle East. I can go incognegro, but at the same time I will likely be put into some box until I open my mouth. I have a sense of how race, class, and gender intersect in various North African countries, but I’m going there as a priveleged American. As such, I will try to refrain from punching someone when they call me ‘abeed.
“incognegro” that’s brilliant. You coin that?
Race like gender envelopes us at all times like the air we breath (or in some cases choke on). I find it very irritating when Muslims wax on the supposed absence of these universal human temptations from the Muslim world.
Why are you so angry?
“Nimrod asks about anger.” What?
in the name of allah bu shure of u wordss that u as been use,,,,
Is that you in the Picture Margari? what country are you going to, because depending on where you are, you might actually look like the local population (e.g. North Africa, the coasts of Yemen and Oman etc.).
as-salamu aleykum
seems like a nice blog you got there,, Im sure you will talk a lot about nasty racist experiences in the Middle East,, Arabs are culturally racist towards others and perhaps to much more to darker people..
what do you study? or did you study?
academia is good stuff..but it gets overwhelming sometimes..
will be a interesting read
Hey,
I love what you’e doing!
Don’t ever change and best of luck.
Raymon W.
Assalamualaikum. welcome to my blog. Make all non muslim read it plz.
I bid you peace my sister,
It is amazing to finally read the thoughts alot of us think, but don’t have the guts to write or say.
Inshallah the world begins to understand, and make a change.
Hello,
I like this place! You’ve done a great job.
I’ll be back soon for sure. Take care
Hello!
After reading this prologue I went to my own blog add marked your blog as one english blogs wich I have to, no must read.
Entry gives so much to wait and alhought it is not long, it tells that you can can put yourself on fireline and talk about things wich are important and not necessary easy. I hope you start writing soon about your experiences and thoughts!
Take care yourself!
Salaam Alykum Aziza,
Just checkin’ out your site…pretty cool! I had a really good time last night hanging out with you and the rest of the folks last night…great conversation. We should write a convert manifesto. Converts unite! Have a safe trip to Egypt.
Peace,
Mohammad (Christian Ibarra)
Hey,
Really nice site you got here.
I’ll come back more often and check it out.
Peace!
As salaamu alaikum,
Really looking forward to your posts sis.
Mash’Allah sis your site is absoulutly beautiful, I like how you speak about things that others will not.
Hi, I’m new to your site. Can I add your site to my blogroll? this is a great site and thanks for posting your thoughts for us to read.
Masha’Allah a nice site with some very good links.
Please can you link up teh Haq Islam site here also.
Jazakallah
I suggest you look into Abbsynia (Sudan , Eritrea, & Ethiopia)…seeing that is the first African land to have accepted Islam. See, look, visit…you are welcome to any part of ethiopia…the only inconegro experience you will have is what I call the Plymouth Rock Syndrome. Still dizzy, hazy, like your soul was ripped and left on the hill. Once people whether they came to America by choice or not…Or whether the are believers or not ….get ridd of PRS then being a negro is in not a filter and can be seen as such…
you are welcome to any Eritrea & Ethiopia…try our Authentic mix of “Black” Judaism, “Black Christianty, and maybe even the final version of the aforementiond
by the way …the pic takes away from your voice….its like reading a book and then going to see a bad spike lee movie.
not to say that your physical form is not beautiful but the way you write is moving and refreshing.
this blog rocks…(masha-allah)
your brother,
sinhaji
Sinhaji, there is much work to do on Black American/African/Carribean relations. I used to live in the South Bay and there are a lot of East Africans. But I haven’t experienced warm fuzzy relations with East Africans. On college campuses it is different and there are positive interactions. But in the community, only one family was on friendly terms with me. That was because the son married my good friend. Usually the women would eye me up and down and people just stare. Maybe it is a cultural thing, but they hardly smile or make me feel welcome when visiting Ethiopian stores, restaurants, or cafes. I suppose it is different when there is tourist dollars or by not migrating they did not adopt American racism. Also, I know of many tensions between Black Americans who travel to Africa and Africans because of the cultural differences and pressupositions. Africans have told my white peers that we assume that we have so much in common and expect so much acceptance from them. There are power dynamics of being a Westerner (whether with Black skin or white) in the developing world. I am not into essentializing the experiences of Black Americans or Africans as we deal with complicated issues involving the Africa Diaspora.
This voice comes with a physical form. My viewpoint is shaped by my life expriences and how people react to me, my mannerisms and appearance. Although people enjoy anonymous blogs, I do no find that it suits my purpose. But I take your compliment/critique and the metaphor of my picture in contrast to my writing in the spirit in which it was given.
Mashkoor …bye the way…I’m that good friends husband…whose mother still ask about you…she is currently in the bayarea and would love to see you..
your good friends abbysinian husband,
sinhaji
Hadha blog sayakoon baab khair laki. Inee istafadtu katheeran min qiraati maqalatik. Wa uwadu an asta-ma min fadeelatik..
raaseelini ala courtmali@yahoo.com …ukhtuki mola tahtaaj elayki..
shakeerina li ma qadamti min khair,
wa qooli li-akh muhammed a.k.a “christian” min half-moon bay ananee uhibuhu fil.lahi.
bi kulli ihtiram wa taqdeer,
sinhaji
Ahahaha, small world isn’t it? insha’Allah I will email you your mum’s contact information so I can visit. I miss you guys!! That took all my Arabic transliteration skills, whew!!. Are you still in the Middle East? Saarselak hatha masa’ Alhumdilullah, ana Ufakkir ‘en Mola wa Usratiha da’iman. Barak Allah fik.
Assalamu Alaykum
It is refreshing to “see” you. Do you know Iman Zaineb? She blogs over on 360..neways..Im going to have a lot of fun reading your blog. Glad I clicked on the link.
Wsalaam Aaishah aka Myopic
PS. Amazing Pic!
Walaikum salaam Myopic,
Thanks for the reference on Iman Zaineb. I will look her up, insha’Allah. I really enjoy your blog too. I’ll find time to comment soon.
Interesting post.
Try being a brown person with a beard going through customs at the airport…
Abu Ameerah,
I feel you on that. I get the special treatment in customs also. I’ve been stopped by British intelligence, it is pretty freaky. And I know first hand the discrimination that Muslim women wearing hijab get. I have a lot of respect for my brothers and sisters reppin the deen.
http://www.ken-welch.com/Reports/Zawahiri.html
Salaaam,
I am looking forward to your writings and the experiences you might share from the M.E. Having lived in Egypt for some time I think it will be very interesting.
Peace.
hello, I live in France, I m a young muslim and I would like to talk about Islam, Black Culture and the position about Muslims in the world…
It would be grateful to be friends…
Hola faretaste
mekodinosad
salamualaikum
nice blog barakaallahfeek
Assalamualaikum sister you have a beautiful heart. May Allah bless you on all of your endeavors. As a 20 year old jamaican and cherokee muslim woman in American it is endearing to be able to relate to others especially at a time where there are so many misrepresentations of our way of life. Continue your journey proudly and most importantly patiently.
Salaam Sister,
I felt where you were coming from on Umar’s blog, with that complicated issue involving Bint Will. So I decided to check you out. When will you start posting?
Anyway, I have not been to Morrocco as of yet, but for some reason, I feel so drawn to it, even dreamed about it, what was your experience like? I figure like its in Africa and the Arabs should be used to the complexion of the Moors by now, so less racism, than in the Gulf.
Salaam Hakim NOW,
I will begin writing again as soon as my intensive language course is over. Thank you for stopping by. My experiences in Morocco were a mixed bag. I love it, but it is not some racial utopia either. The Senegalese get rocks thrown at them. They normally didn’t think I was Senegalese, so I was pretty safe from random stonings or verbal assults. While my experiences were cool for the most part, but my Moroccan Arabic was soso, and I didn’t speak French. So, half the nasty stuff they might have said I probably didn’t understand.
Wow, I guess the Senegalese are treated better than the Sudanese on the east side of Africa. I’m currently studying Modern Standard Arabic, from your experience would that be of any help to me in Morocco, or I should take a course on Moroccan Arabic as well ?
I don’t know if getting stones tossed at you or racist writings on walls telling them to go home should be considered as better treatment. But I haven’t heard current accounts from Sudanese in Egypt. It may be comparable. But I haven’t been to Egypt and interviewed Sudanese and West Africans. All I’m saying is go there and be prepared for good and bad. There are good people and bad, just like here. But there are very different sensibilities so you are likely to hear some politically incorrect stuff there.
You should take Moroccan Arabic because it is so different from Fushah. Fushah will help, but there will be times you won’t have a clue as to what is going on. Only educated people know Fushah, but there are likely to be educated elites who only speak Moroccan Arabic and French.
Thanks for the info. Looking forwards to when you regularly post. Should be interesting, I mean an educated western women, a women of color at that, in a paternalistic and tribal society, just may be the most original blog out. From your writing you sound sensible and balanced. I will be waiting to hear your views of black men in particular.
Hey
I was surfing the web and i saw this site, pretty cool.
Currently im running and adult site:Wellness
k, just want to say hi
Can i link you from my site? im looking for quality content like yours. If no let me know if i can add u in exchange for a montly fee or something.
I have friend from northern africa, she is christian orthedox and speaks arabic. has ties to both islam and christian faith, as a result we have often argued about our points of views. you cannot service two men your love belongs to one. and thus so should we be contempt with what faith we follow. I have had teachings of both christian and islam, yet follow only what I believe to be true. I believe if we lead a good life & never bring hurt or harm to our brothrs/sisters and always assist where possilbe, then I believe if there is a god he cannot forsake me for living my life as it is.
Be there a god or not, all teachings no matter what faith governs a singular message, love your brother/sister always. and I would say even with differen’t faiths with their own rules and restrictions, I wish we would all live together as it was intended and be of many minds with one goal.
Love Nathan,…
1st I think in regards to interfaith, where there are theological differences as to God and the nature of God, then most certainly what is not debatable is that we are all God’s creation, so in that case the next principle would be love your brothers and sisters.
2nd But the reality is, the Creator is before the creation, and knowledge of and submission to this Creator is the over-arching principle to which other principles are derived. This knowledge and submission is not on our terms, or subject to our whims, and deductions, but based on the Creator’s terms.
Nonetheless, most of us get stuck on number #2, and ignore #1.
Just one guys opinion.
Dear sis, I’m dee from Bali, Indonesia. I’m a Muslim too. I just wanna say… Gosh, u rock sis!!!
Wish to see u in Bali and share some thoughts…
Much Luph and Salam.
DEE~Bali
Salaam’Alaikum
I’m glad you have this blog! It’s nice to know there are others who share in similar experiences and that you aren’t so whacko after all.
What is it like to be a black Muslim woman in America?
My experience has been horrible enough to break my spirit to the point of reconsidering my conversion of now 8 years.
I feel this is the one of the worst mistakes I’ve ever made in my life but it’s not so easy to just pick up and leave becuase I’m married with a child.
I’ve given up..
Not doing good at all..
Salaam
Salam Sister,
What about being a white Muslim woman is it any easier? Less white Muslims…lol I think if you are Muslim there is a reason a destiny. I converted on my own I live in Dubai..Al Humdullah. I finally converted just a year before September 11th, being a white, American Muslim in the Middle East I was hated by everyone equally..lol The point is that it is not a choice you are a Muslim, it is in your heart. It is what you are regardless of the hardship that may accompany it, because it is that which guides and protects you.
The man in anyone’s life is a gift from Allah and sometimes he makes us wait. So we can appreciate his blessings. May Allah bless you, you are certainly a courageous beautiful honey colored Muslim woman, and I hope your love finds you soon. I pray that he is more than you ever dreamed of.
MaSala,
Yasmeen
Assalamalikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu,
Am trying not to be rude but I just have to forbid the evil you should be following the rules of hijab on the internet.We don’t know who might be looking at them
secondly I think you should read the views of the scholors on taking Picture you can try checking it out on http://www.islamqa.com
They called you abeed in Morocco????
As a half Moroccan that is so shocking to me…
sad
I know Middle Easterners/like syrians, palestianins etc use the word abeed a lot but Moroccans are usually not as racist as them…
tradicionalista,
Are you living in the U.S. or Europe? I’ve been to Morocco a few times and think my treatment parallels/is worse than Margari’s. this is interesting because But, it’s funny that I’ve always been treated with respect/welcomed by Moroccans here in the states.
incidentally I have been to Lebanon and was never treated crassly. Not sure what this means, just a reflection, that’s all.
wow really Raha?
sadd
I live in USA and I’ve always known Moroccans to be the least racist, not all of them of course just generally. That’s what my experience is and I’m surprised to find this out because I am Moroccan!!!
ASA - A note to say I love your site - only recently discovered it. Dream. Pray. Forgive.
Always The Best,
The Bi-Polar Muslim
http://thebipolarmuslim.wordpress.com/
Just a short note to say I like your blog.
Good job and keep up the great work!
Kenneth
Just to clarify, I have not had stones throne at me in Morocco. But I know that Senagalese are sometimes treated bad and have been abused.
I feel you can live a good experience in muslim country. I am moroccan and I have never think about color of people and Ihave many freind with color, we growed together and we respect each other. We haven’t racism with colored people as we are african. I have problem to explain all my idea, and I hope you understand what I want say.
it crunk to be black u get to listen to rap
thrown, not throne. typos from jetlag…
hi margari aziza.
you are very bautiful. booooos
Sister aziza,
Make sure you don’t marry any of the brothers there. I’ll be here waiting to marry you when you come back. But please, don’t take too long.
Thanks
Asalaam Walikum Sister. Checking in and on you. Insha Allah you are well and thriving. I miss travelling the world. Should you get a chance visit the local masjid in Dublin, Ireland. Masha Allah.
The Bi-Polar Muslim
I just found your blog and immediately bookmarked you in the top rank. You go, girl
Hello Everyone,
Thanks sister for bringing such an issue & your experience to the public. Being of Somali origin from the former British Somaliland Protectorate, I found the people of Morocco extremely welcoming and I will suggest you find the Sufi community who are rhythmically in tuned with the spirit common to most black people. Many people I mixed with offered me marriage to their daughter, sadly I was and still not ready.
My experience in ME and Africa has taught me that it pays to be confident and assertive. Otherwise, you may become a victim of those cruel children who kill urban cats and stone any animals they come across such as donkeys, goats etc.
I would like to go to Egypt and interview one clerk who was reported to have said that black women did not have to “islamically” cover themselves since they were unlike to attract men. Presumably, they were ugly to attract according to his assumption.
Do you know any more about such a clerk i.e. his name and the city he is based at.
Best regards,
Egal Haybe
To Ismael,
Here in the UK, the majority of the liquor stores whic =h we call “Off Licence” are owned by Muslims which ever continent they maybe from although most are from the Indian subcontinent.
It is not as if they have hatred for black people, but just economics and opportunities presented to them since not many will risk their lives to open a store in those hoods.
You get these kinds of indivitual Muslims everywhere including Saudi Arabia. So do not chuck the mud on all of us.
Good luck and not be afraid of Arabs.
Egal Haybe
all the best to you on this trip. hope to be back soon. whatever it is, note it and write it down somewehere. if you have time, visit
http://web.mac.com/orondeash/Site/About_Me.html
Click on “Podcast”. The whole thing’s 29:20 minutes. I know… I know. But it’s worth it :=)
Feedback is encouraged and welcomed.
Pass the link along to anyone you think will get something from it.
Salaam Sister!
Seriously, where did you get the dress in the photo.. or is it called an “abaya”? (Still trying to learn the terms…
Everything I see online looks “Arab”, “Nation of Islam”, “Turkish”, etc. What’s out there for us African-American converts? I want to represent, but I don’t always feel comfortable in traditional “Somali” or “Pakistani” dress. Where is the clothing for the American Sisters?!
Dear all: Salaam & Ramadhan Mubarak!
Just a few comments:-
1. Muslim American women are defining their own style and each of us have to contribute. We are relatively a young culture so of course there isn’t as much info. about our styles etc. on the internet. BUT I know, a lot of Muslim American designers on the east coast and they are making a fabu impression on everyone.
2. I so appreciate the energy and dialogue of this blog and the comments posted. Thanks to everyone who has contributed.
3. It’s a little difficult to understand everyone when we use similiar or even the same terms but we haven’t defined our terms. I think this is especially true when talking about race or ethnic conflicts or relationships. There are text and subtext to most all relationships–conflict and allies and But here are a few of my own observations about traveling and living abroad:
I have traveled and live in Asia and Africa (east & West and North) and have been very well received. Sometimes I have mistaken for an East African until I speak of course–but I didn’t notice any differences in treatment. Perhaps, the context of my visit/stay makes has made a difference–champerone, teacher, student . . . In addition, many of the Af-Am Hafiz I know have studied either in Morocco or Syria and loved their experiences. As a matter of fact many of them return to Morocco and Syria quite frequently. One of my close companions along with her husband and her five children emigrated there and only return here to get away from the scolding summers. Having said this, both she and some of the Moroccan sisters in my community say that depending on what part of Morocco they are from–north or the south–perceptions of t1.hemselves as Africans vs. Arab or both and 2. Identification with the term/concept Black (as we Af-Am conceptualize it) differs greatly.
3. In my experiences in both Africa and the so-called Middle East, hospitality is such an important part of these cultures that those perceived as visitors are treated very well as are people with money–LOL.
4. Some backgrouns on Senegalese and Moroccan relationship–the government are allies but the issue of “illegal Senegalese immigrants” has caused serious problems, much like some of the US recent illegal immigrant issues–and the anti-illegal immigrant sentiment it has stirred up.
I am just adding to what many of you have already said–there is much going on in the world and we must be open and engage to understand it and courageous enough to take a stand when necessary. There is much work for us all to do in this world, and may Allah (s.w.t.a) bless us to leave this earth better than what we found it.
I look forward to hearing about the good sister Margari experiences & insights.
one love & masalaam,
shahidah
I think you can link to my Blog now… I might bother you for some WordPress pointers. Like how to increase hits and stuff.. I’m slowly working through this..
Shahidah,
Thank you for your thoughtful contribution and important background. I haven’t made it to Syria yet, but I hope to go soon. I hope you come back often and add your insight. And perhaps we can discuss our travels. I’d love to hear more about your experiences. I personally think there should be more literature on the Black travel experience. The truth is that even in college AFrican American students are less likely to travel abroad. We have to change that, insha’Allah, by creating more opportunities and scholarships.
insha allah i plan to go to morocco or syria to study arabic and tajweed. hoping to get my ijazah in tajweed insha allah. i was hoping to for 3 to 12 months. im excited but sooooooooooo nervous as i will be travelling alone with two young kids. im just so confused about which country i will feel more comfortable in. also even though i hear morocco is good for arabic i dont seem to be able to find any tajweed courses there. any tips?
Salaam alaikum,
I know of a sister who got ijaza in tajweed in Syria. Have you looked into Abu Noor? You can actually apply to the program and they have scholarships for students. Travelling alone with two children is challenging. But if you have money saved or financial support you can find inexpensive babysitters. I dind’t find tajweed courses in Morocco or many places where women can get ijazas. The only place Western students are likely to study at in Morocco is at Alif Fez.
Salaam alaikum,
I am married to a Moroccan, and when I was there I did feel some weird looks from females, but my in-laws and their family and friends were pretty awesome. I am black by the way. I was not a muslimah then, so I can only imagine how they would treat me now that I am a muslim and wearing hijab. The arabs here in Michigan are a mixed bag. Haven’t had any be rude per say…most just act like you dont exist. I suppose that’s the most polite way to say “f” you. Oh well, these people calling themselves muslim and being racist need a total wake up call. They should remember Bilal (RA) every time they hear the athan. All you racist “muslims”, refer to Khutbal Wada and wake up!!! “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over a white- except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.”
I came across your site on Google while discussing with my partner/fiance whether or not she should get behind the wheel while driving from the UAE through SA to Qatar this coming February …Having read so many amazing comments on the issue , it’s obvious that I drive before we cross the border. Meanwhile , we were intrigued by the “in your face” title of your site . Loved how you declared your goals , packaging all those “ism’s” so neatly as you strive to “transcend” what separates us from one another . We admire the values that you represent . I’m an American transplant living and working in HK/China since ‘77 , dealing hourly with cross-cultural challenges. We wish you the very best on your own journey towards the “Getting of Wisdom”
I think you are insane, possessed and confused.
Sheba! Tell her how you really feel, no really don’t hold back!
LMBO!
Oh, well now that I see Sheba’s comment here, I know there was really no point to responding to another of her comments. It’s just a reminder that the world is made up of many types.