“You fast too?” Sami asked. I looked at her incredulously, “Fasting has been around much longer than Islam has…” I answered facetiously. This opened a big box of questions my friend had regarding …
A gift for you
So many of my Rohingya friends have stories of what has been taken from them: Home, Country, Family, Friends, Dignity, Humanity. I once was told by Rohingya man who had recently arrived in the …
A Voice for the First Time
I held it in my hands today with an almost holy wonder. “What is that?” he asked me. Keeping back tears, I told him, “This, sir, is your voter registration card.” There was a reverent …
The Thrill of Hope
"Please, go visit my nephew's house in the city. They are ready for you." We caught a cab and made our way across town. He met us on the upstairs balcony. "Come inside! Welcome!" Inside was a …
The Friendship Bracelet
Late at night came the text. “Car accident. She is hurt. Please pray for us.” Dear God, the prayers go up, She's already lost several babies. Not this one. Not today. Three hours in the ER for …
Living the dream
Somina has everything my Rohingya friends in Malaysia dream of – she has legal status to live in Europe. It is something that is desired by countless refugees, yet according to the UN fewer than 1% of …