The America She Hopes For

The America She Hopes For By Kortni Smyers-Jones

Traveling over 7,000 miles, Hira Muhammad Imam Uddin has more than enough room for fear, doubt and anxiety to settle. Hira, who was born in Pakistan, moved from Dubai to the United States in 2018. Her religion and culture are very important to her, and she wasn't sure if she would be able to keep these traditions, or how other people would perceive them.

Following the practices of Islam, Hira chooses to wear modest clothing, making sure her hair, arms, legs and figure are not showing. She also commits to practicing her religion at specific times of day.

Hira has been fortunate that her job allows her to practice her prayers in a private room and does not give her time restrictions. Some of her other Muslim friends do not get the same opportunities. Hira hopes for all people in America to be treated with the same respect and dignity. Her fear of Islamophobia still worries her, but so far she has felt safe and secure. The America she hopes for will continue to welcome diversity and the freedom to live the Muslim life she wants.

This is an Islamic greeting where Muslims greet each other. (Kortni Smyers-Jones- Jan. 25, 2019)

Hira is performing Wudu (ablution). Wudu is an obligated act before prayers. The process starts with washing your right wrist three times, then left wrist three times. (Kortni Smyers-Jones- Jan. 25, 2019)

After washing the wrist, the next step is rinsing your mouth, nose, face and arms, all three times. Then you rinse your hair once. (Kortni Smyers-Jones- Jan. 25, 2019)

The last step of completing wudu is washing the feet three times starting from right foot to left foot. (Kortni Smyers-Jones- Jan. 25, 2019)

This is the Downtown Islamic center where muslims come to pray together. Being in a foreign country, the Islamic center reminds her of how she use to pray in Masjid (Mosque). (Kortni Smyers-Jones- Jan. 25, 2019)

This is the DePaul Human Resources office where Hira works as a Student Assistant. (Kortni Smyers-Jones- Jan. 27, 2019)

Hira's work does not interfere with her prayers, which she is grateful for. She is preforming Salah (prayers) at her workplace. She is given a separate room for her privacy. (Kortni Smyers-Jones- Jan. 27, 2019)

Hira starts her day with the first morning prayer, which is done before sunrise called Fajr. This typically happens around 5:00am-6:00am. (Kortni Smyers-Jones- Jan. 26, 2019)

One of the major difference between Dubai and America is in America there is no Azan (call of prayer) from Masjid, so she makes it a habit to listen to it through her phone. Call of prayer is a call and response ritual which Hira does to feel connected to her religious practices. (Kortni Smyers-Jones- Jan. 27, 2019)

This position captures Hira asking Dua (supplication). This is an emotional part of her prayer because she feels homesick from her family, and this is the time she can vent to God. Hira expected she wouldn't be able to practice her religion conveniently in America, yet she has been provided with facilities that help her practice her religion comfortably. (Kortni Smyers-Jones- Jan. 27, 2019)

Appreciate

The America She Hopes For By Kortni Smyers-Jones

Report Abuse