American Muslim

I pull on my blue jeans
Lace up my shell toes
And check for a make-up smudge in the mirror
I'm dressed like any other girl
But with just one main difference
A scarf to cover my hair
A veil of my beauty from the world's eyes
My statement of modesty

I partake in after school activities
Having taken painting and ceramics classes
I play two different sports
And am on 3 different teams
But where other people take CCD
I go to the masjid to worship
Where I can be around other Muslims
People who share my interests and hobbies also

I know who Ashton Kutcher is
And frequently watch trl
I've seen the movie titanic
And know the words to the most recent Britney tune
I read books like Harry Potter and Little Women
But I also read the Qur'an
And know every song on the Islamic CD
I know the names of the sahabah
And have also seen the message

I appear no different from other girls my age
Except that I adhere to the rules of Islam
I wear the same things they do
And do the same activities as them
I'm a member of their media
And yet there are things that set us apart
There are so many things about me
That Islam molds and shapes
And those special things about me
Just add to who I am

Safiyah Hosein, 13