This is so sad and at the same time lovely, Reem, because of your gorgeous writing.
Why do some people hate anyone who is different from them? What are they afraid of?
I heard once that the suburban American lawn is one step above a parking lot. So bad for the environment! We should all let them grow, preferably with wildflowers.
Thank you so much, joanne, for your kind words.I had written a reply, but i'm not sure if it went through! I don't know where the hate comes from! So sad. And had no idea about a lawn being like a parking lot!!
(When we lived in Georgia, we also got cited for weeds with our HOA. Felt very shaming in the moment. Since we've moved, weeds now rule our yard. And bc there is no HOA, I've just embraced it.😂)
So tragic. And in addition to the trauma these girls experienced is the disease in those kids hearts that may not ever be treated and will only grow if no one recognizes it for what it is. They were taught that, and acted on it. That’s a serious problem. Thank you for writing on it. Lots of layers in the grass-weeds connection.
This hit me on so many levels, Reem. You reminded me of when a driver killed a family out walking in London Ontario several months after my sister and her family had moved there.
And the grass! This is something that I've always struggled with - we don't come from countries with lawns and so we don't inherently know how to care for the lawns and that makes us stand out more. The irony of course is that the grass on our lawns is actually not an indigenous species to North America, which is part of why it is so delicate and requires as much care as it does, and also why the weeds, the supposed invasive species which are actually native to this climate, can take over so easily.
Thank you for sharing , I remember hearing about that family so devastating. Hope your sister is well. And uff yes about these lawns! I remember my parents struggling with grass when they first moved here years ago
May Allah protect all the girls breathing, existing, living on earth. No matter their religion or faith or culture or identity. May all womanhood be protected from any type of harm. Ameen.
I never understand hatred. How it spread its roots in hearts. How people come to hate anyone. Even fire can be extinguished by rainwater but hatred..... It can't be tamed or extinguished.
My mind is shaken by the violence humans are capable of. The fact that Afghan girls were attacked in a middle school for wearing hijab is shameful indeed. It isn't lost on me that the very girls-Afghan girls-who love freedom to learn in this country would be victims.
The attackers may have committed that act out of fear of the unknown. They must understand that the hajab, the head covering worn by many Muslim women, is a practice rooted in modesty and religious devotion. It's a visible symbol of an inner commitment to following Islamic principles and seeking the pleasure of God (Allah).
Readers unfamiliar with Islam may be surprised to learn that the Koran mentions and reveres Moses, Noah, Mary, and Jesus, and others. Let us all reflect on what it truly means to practice our religion.
Thank you for sharing this and for your insights. It is heartbreaking .I wonder if there will be more news about it. And yes , Jesus and the other prophets are Revered!
This is so sad and at the same time lovely, Reem, because of your gorgeous writing.
Why do some people hate anyone who is different from them? What are they afraid of?
I heard once that the suburban American lawn is one step above a parking lot. So bad for the environment! We should all let them grow, preferably with wildflowers.
Thank you so much, joanne, for your kind words.I had written a reply, but i'm not sure if it went through! I don't know where the hate comes from! So sad. And had no idea about a lawn being like a parking lot!!
This is very beautiful. Thank you for giving those girls a voice.
Thank you💙💙💙
Oh how awful! Those girls!
You juxtapose these two topics so beautifully.
(When we lived in Georgia, we also got cited for weeds with our HOA. Felt very shaming in the moment. Since we've moved, weeds now rule our yard. And bc there is no HOA, I've just embraced it.😂)
Aw yes it is awful! This was my 2nd braided essay! I'm glad you liked it! And hoa are so strict!!
So tragic. And in addition to the trauma these girls experienced is the disease in those kids hearts that may not ever be treated and will only grow if no one recognizes it for what it is. They were taught that, and acted on it. That’s a serious problem. Thank you for writing on it. Lots of layers in the grass-weeds connection.
Thanks! It's so devastating
This hit me on so many levels, Reem. You reminded me of when a driver killed a family out walking in London Ontario several months after my sister and her family had moved there.
And the grass! This is something that I've always struggled with - we don't come from countries with lawns and so we don't inherently know how to care for the lawns and that makes us stand out more. The irony of course is that the grass on our lawns is actually not an indigenous species to North America, which is part of why it is so delicate and requires as much care as it does, and also why the weeds, the supposed invasive species which are actually native to this climate, can take over so easily.
Thank you for sharing , I remember hearing about that family so devastating. Hope your sister is well. And uff yes about these lawns! I remember my parents struggling with grass when they first moved here years ago
May Allah protect all the girls breathing, existing, living on earth. No matter their religion or faith or culture or identity. May all womanhood be protected from any type of harm. Ameen.
I never understand hatred. How it spread its roots in hearts. How people come to hate anyone. Even fire can be extinguished by rainwater but hatred..... It can't be tamed or extinguished.
Such a good point about fire and water and hatred never thought of it that way!
Reem,
My mind is shaken by the violence humans are capable of. The fact that Afghan girls were attacked in a middle school for wearing hijab is shameful indeed. It isn't lost on me that the very girls-Afghan girls-who love freedom to learn in this country would be victims.
The attackers may have committed that act out of fear of the unknown. They must understand that the hajab, the head covering worn by many Muslim women, is a practice rooted in modesty and religious devotion. It's a visible symbol of an inner commitment to following Islamic principles and seeking the pleasure of God (Allah).
Readers unfamiliar with Islam may be surprised to learn that the Koran mentions and reveres Moses, Noah, Mary, and Jesus, and others. Let us all reflect on what it truly means to practice our religion.
Joel
Thank you for sharing this and for your insights. It is heartbreaking .I wonder if there will be more news about it. And yes , Jesus and the other prophets are Revered!