Being Muslim right after 9/11- it was an event that brought so much light to Islam and led to many people converting after researching what at first was an 'evil' religion, discovering the true beauty. But for many others in America and around the world, Muslims were attacked and harassed for their appearance, for being believers.
Interesting tidbit- the hijab styles in the movie are awesome and diverse (some 'traditional' and some just a head covering ) also interesting is that the mother was hijabi but wore relaxed clothes but a head covering at home (was it to not offend Muslims showing a Muslimah character with hair flowing?)
Anyway, the film treated everything fair I feel- the Muslim father was presented on an 'evil Muslim' slant but later was humanized more and the Muslim mother was firm and stood for her beliefs and love for her son (no submissive woman here) I appreciated the different aspects of Muslim American life shown- the males who choose to be identified as Muslim, the women who stand up for their faith proudly, the young kids who struggle with being Muslim and fitting in with the dunya. In the end he stood up for others after 9/11 occurred despite his personal struggle with his identity as a Muslim.
Great article by the director about being "Muslimerican" here
Reflection:
I felt a personal connection to the story as a parent. My husband had a more secular upbringing while I was raised in a more 'religion is a part of life" childhood (attending Awaana and encouraged to turn to God in prayer, conservative attitudes about swimming and boys) and he worries about me raising our son to be too religious. He feels the Christian kids' clubs I attended were extreme. I feel the need to have religion in every part of life to build a relationship with God; my childhood relationship with God led be to Islam as an adult.
I do worry how to strike a good balance between American living and Muslim living- watch T.V shows and movies/ be part of the consumerism on gift giving days? I pray for guidance on those matters. My plan so far- I do know I want to have home Juma's and great Eid/ Ramadan celebrations- I want my son to be aware of and proud of his faith. (one reason I gave to my mom concerning hijab- by wearing it I display a love for God and faith to my son, I show him that the principal of doing something against the popular norm even if I may not get the jobs I want) But not to the extreme of the movie where it's so forced on him that he shies away from his faith to get away from it's pressure. So inshallah I raise him the best I can.
