Original entry on September 11, 2014
Earlier today, I walked out the front
door to find myself face to face with a deer. Every morning, I watch a group of
deer gracefully playing through the trees in my cousin’s backyard. My friends on the west
coast laugh when I describe to them the beauty I have seen in Princeton, New
Jersey. Despite this, I didn’t expect to walk outside and find a deer on the
doorstep. Face to face with such a beautiful animal. We stared at each other,
the deer and I. As I slowly moved towards my bag for my phone, the deer ran
off. It was the one time since I have arrived on the east coast that I didn't
have my phone in my hand when leaving the house.
When I had walked out of the house a
few moments earlier, the only thought on my mind was wondering if there were
any crazies in Princeton. My parents repeatedly made me promise I wouldn't go
into NYC today. The remembrance of September 11 is painful for all of us. They
say that in times like that, years later, you will forever always remember exactly what happened when the
plane hit the towers, or even when you heard the news. I definitely still
remember that moment. I know I have shared it with you all a few years back in one of my earliest blog posts (http://haneenoriqat.com/exactly-2-months-and-1-day-after-i-turned-13/). In an attempt to fulfill my promise to my parents to stay safe, I
figured heading for the university would be safe. The deer made me momentarily
forget my worries.
A few minutes later, I spotted the
busy street I would have to walk to get to the bus stop. Part of my walk has no
sidewalk or pedestrian area, and I was anticipating the itch of tall grass I
was going to walk through to stay safe from the cars. I have already
experienced unsafe moments while walking to the bus stop… Like a car purposely
trying to run me over and another trying to pick me up off the side of the
road. As promised, I will share all these moments in the upcoming week!
Focusing on the road ahead, I began
reciting Quran to soothe my thoughts. I was walking in between two trees in an
area that looked like I was walking on a bridge, with houses on either side,
when I noticed a flurry of birds dancing between the two trees and singing. As
I walked right through their delicate dance, I again forgot about the busy
street and crazies that would surely cross my path today.
I realized that Allah swt gave me the
blessing to witness and live both these moments. There's a lot on my mind
today, both personal challenges and struggles that my brothers and sisters in
humanity are facing today and everyday. Whether it's the remembrance of 9/11 or
1948; the continuous occupation of Palestine or other terrorist groups tearing
down the true teachings of Islam; down to racism and anti-immigration
shredding the idea of an “American Dream” or just carrying an identity that is
feared through being misrepresented, misunderstood, and stereotyped across the
world; so many more struggles that are not limited to these. It's a
simple reminder that it's a mercy from God that He allows us to move through
experiences, and momentarily forget ones that cause pain or heartache. We live.
We learn. We grow fiercer and stronger everyday to create change for future
generations and loved ones.
Today and everyday, I ask Allah swt to
fill your hearts with peace and joy and bestow his blessings and mercy upon
humanity.
A statue across the street from Princeton
University that I stumbled upon today. The statue was titled, “Out to Lunch”
and made by Seward Johnson Jr. I also think reading while out to lunch is
wonderful, Mr. Johnson Jr.
Salaam (Peace),
Hanoon
