,,! ,,FAI? ,,CLUB
    ,A ,MUSLIM1 A ,*RI/IAN1 A ,JEW--
       ,?REE ,WOM5 ,SE>* = ,"U/&+

            ,,RANYA ,,IDLIBY
           ,,SUZANNE ,,OLIV]
           ,,PRISCILLA ,,W>N]

   ,PUBLI%$ 0,FREE ,PRESS1 ,NEW ,YORK
       ,COPY"R ^C #BJJF 0! AU?ORS
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,LAURA ,COX & ,RUSSELL ,MILL]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
             ,9 #G ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #B
        ,PAGES ;I-;VI & #IG-AIB

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           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJI
            ,TRANSCRIP;N (3          ;II
       ,,ISBN #AJ3 #J-GDCB-IJDH-H
     ,,ISBN #AC3 #IGH-J-GDCB-IJDH-G






















          ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS       ;III
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                                     ;IV
























                ,,3T5TS               ;V

,*APT]                             ,PAGE
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,SIX3 ,CD ,Y ,3V]T8 """"""""""""""" #ADC
,SEV53 ,OH1 ,": ,>E ,Y1 ,GOD8 """"" #AGA



















                                     ;VI
























             ,,*APT] ,,FIVE          #IG
          ,/OP ,/]EOTYP+ ,ME6

    ,RANYA3
  ,I 0 RELIEV$ T WE _H SURVIV$ ! CRUCI-
FIXION CRISIS EV5 IF ,I _H FELT A LL
SIDEL9$1 IF N \T"R BANI%$4 ,I WOND]$ IF
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O!R'S RELIGIONS ?AN 9 EXPLOR+ _! 3NEC;NS
6,ISLAM4 ,9 SPITE ( MY CREEP+ D\BTS1 ,I
RECOGNIZ$ A GR[+ ATTA*;T ON MY "P 6\R
MEET+S4 ,I NE$$ U 63T9UE MEET+ & TALK+4
  ,IF 9ITI,Y ,I _H R1*$ \ 6!M \ ( DE-
SPAIR1 ANG]1 & 3C]N = MY *N1 LATELY
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SONAL1 SELFI% NE$4 ,!Y _H 2COME MY _SUAL
AN*ORS1 RESCU+ ME F MY _SUAL ISOL,N &
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MOSQUE 3T9U$ 6L1VE ME /R&$ & EMPTY H&$4
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IMAM OR MOSQUE MAY N ACTU,Y EXI/4 ,Z A
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9 MY LIV+ ROOM4 ,MY SURROGATE _SUAL -MU-
N;Y4
  ,\R DIALOGUE *ALL5G$ ME 6EXAM9E    #IH
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WE C]TA9LY DID N SU6] F A %ORTAGE ( "QS
OR MAT]IAL4 ,LIFE ORGANIC,Y & G5]\SLY
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  ,WE 7 BR1K+ AN UNSPOK5 SOCIAL RULE4
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\R MEET+S WE F.D \RVS REL1S$ F "T1 SUS-
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TOPIC 0 (F LIMITS4                   #II

    ,SUZANNE3
  ,RANYA1 ,PRISCILLA1 & ,I _H />T$ \
MON?S E>LI] TALK+ AB :AT .,JEWS 2LIEVE1
:AT .,*RI/IANS 2LIEVE & :AT .,MUSLIMS
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  ,S WE MADE A -MIT;T 6EA* O!R 6EXAM9E
\R [N 2LIEFS & PREJUDICES & 4CUSS !M
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TRAITOR\S Z ,I SE>*$ =! ^WS 6-=T H]1 ALL
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ON MY LAP4

    ,PRISCILLA3
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  ,SUZANNE ?"\ =A MO;T4 ,%E LOOK$ Z IF
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SYMPA?Y4
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MEET+ & "S BOOKS WE _H R1D4 ,B ,I 0 DIS-
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  ,I PUT ! 5VELOPE %E H&$ 6ME 96MY SAT*-
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    ,RANYA3
  ,I /AY$ 2H AF ,PRISCILLA LEFT T AFN &
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    ,PRISCILLA3                     #AJF
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:O _H A JOB 9 ! M$IA BUSI;S1 _H BE5 !
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    ,SUZANNE3
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  8,PRISCILLA1 ,I'M GETT+ ! IMPRES.N T Y
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$4
  8,LET'S TALK AB T LAT]10 ,PRISCILLA &
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  8,SURE10 ,RANYA MUM#D 9 RESIGN,N4 ,H]
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  ,SUZANNE SAT DIRECTLY OPPOSITE ME ) H]
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  8,I DON'T ?9K Y'RE A BL FOLL[]40 ,I
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  8,REMEMB] T J\RNAL 5TRY Y WROTE80 ,I
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,PRISCILLA3 ,Y "K1 ,SUZANNE1 ,I R1D :AT
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  ?9K Y'RE ANTI-,SEMITIC4 ,B IF ,I'M GO+
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  N[4

    ,SUZANNE3
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ON MY TEMPLE MO;T4 ,I ?"\ X 0 5 T ,I _H
3FESS$ MY EXP]I;E4 ,B %E NE$$ M4 ,%E
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HAW$1 BUY+ "T4
  8,%E WDN'T WANT 6BE A ,MUSLIM EI10
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  ,B ,PRISCILLA WDN'T LET ME (F !   #AAE
HOOK4 8,S1 :AT'S ! /]EOTYPE1 ,SUZANNE80
%E COAX$4
  8,Y "K ,I H ,JEWI% FRS1 TOO1 ,PRISCIL-
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ROTICISM40
  8,SUZANNE1 TWO \ ( ?REE ( ^? ?+S JU/I-
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,PRISCILLA SD "S:AT TRIUMPHANTLY4
  8,:AT CASE80 ,I ASK$ H]4
  8,I RE/ MY CASE Z 6:Y ,JEWS C>RY !
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  8,T /]EOTYPE IS MULTIPLI$ 0"O HUNDR$ =
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  8,MAYBE ? ILLU/RATES A DI6];E 2T
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8,IN ,*RI/IAN;Y1 "! IS A PREJUDICE AG/
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A RI* MAN 6GET 96H1V54 ,"! IS ANO!R PAS-
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  8,WELL CORRUPT ,,CEO,'S L ,K5 ,LAY M/
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! ,TORAH DOES X SAY A3UMULATE Z M* M"OY
Z Y C1 & SCREW YR 9VE/ORS6 ,I 0 RAIS$ BY
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LIFE & H TAU<T MY *N 6D ! SAME4 ,Y "K1
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  8,D Y ?9K T /]EOTYPE IS A VE/IGE (!
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8,:O >E !Y80
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6"W = ANO!R MAGAZ9E1 & MY FR MOV$ 6!
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ANO!R ,CA?OLIC ,MIDWE/]N]4 ,PRISCILLA
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WAY T MAKES ME FEEL UNCOM=TA#71 ,I'M 9 !
MAJOR;Y4 ,I'M N =C$ 6A3OMMODATE MYF 6!
CULTURE1 RELIGION1 OR EV5 FR%IPS ( M9OR-
ITIES4

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ALL4

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  8,I DON'T ?9K ,SUZANNE WD L 6BE A
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8,NO (F5SE1 ,RANYA1 B Y'RE FLATT]+ YRF
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;N4 ,=GET ,JUDEO-,*RI/IAN-,MUSLIM TRADI-
;N1 ,I ?"\ 6MYF4 ,I CD N EV5 GET MY /]E-
OTYPES RECOGNIZ$6 ,A4+ 9SULT 69JURY1
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! HIJACK+S 9 ! EI<TIES8 ,PAN ,AM_/
,LOCK]BIE8 ,WE'RE LIV+ ! EI<TIES ALL OV]
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RORISM1 FANATICS1 ABUS$ WOM51 SPOIL$ RI*
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  8,I ?9K T PRIOR 6#I_/AA P         #ABC
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  8,NO8 ,:AT AB ! IMAGES ( FAT OIL
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>E AT ALL CRITICAL (! /]EOTYPE ( YR [N
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ICAL (A /]EOTYPE OR AW>E ( X IS N 6BE
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/]EOTYPES8 ,EV5 NEWS -;TATORS -P>$ ,>AB
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  8,MO/ P DON'T ASSOCIATE ,ISLAM ) POSI-
TIVE SCI5TIFIC OR CULTURAL _W 3TRIBU;NS
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  8,:AT D Y M1N80 ,PRISCILLA        #ABD
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9TRODUC$ 6^! TEXTS 0,MUSLIMS4 ,MUSLIMS 7
GRT MA!MATICIANS4 ,FEW P "K T ALGEBRA
-ES F AN ,>ABIC ^W--.ALJABAR10 ,I TOLD
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  8,LET ME GET ? /RAI<T10 ,PRISCILLA SD4
8,*RI/OPH] ,COLUMBUS US$ ! 9V5;NS (!
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,ISABELLA US$ ! "K-H[ ( C5TURIES ( ,MUS-
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GR\PS 9 \R SOCIETY AB :OM O!R P ?9K !Y C
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XS /]EOTYPES1 B P H A S5SE ( POLITICAL
CORRECT;S AB ^! GR\PS & T5D 6$IT OR 3TA9
_! /]EOTYPES1 :E!R 9 ! MOVIES1 9 BOOKS
OR EV5 9 ! NEWS -;T>IES4 ,B Y C F9D T
/]EOTYPE ( ,MUSLIMS "EY": N[--T     #ABE
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--& P DON'T FEEL ANY %AME AB HOLD+ OR
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DRIV]1 A R>;Y 9 ,MANHATTAN1 OV]HE>D U
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HM T ,I _H EXP]I;ED S* 4COM=T MYF1 HE
TURN$ >.D & SD1 8,I'VE HE>D S _M P -PLA9
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T >E GIV+ X 6U40
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S,N4 ,I PREF]R$ 6MA9TA9 MY SIL;E R ?AN
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  8,Y %D H SD "S?+1 ,MOMMY10        #ABF
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%E'S M 3FID5T 9 H] ,AM]ICAN ID5T;Y ?AN
,I AM4
  ,AF #I_/AA ,I _H ANO!R "PICUL>LY AWK-
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3FID5TLY OR C\RAGE\SLY Z MY DAU<T] MI<T
H LIK$4 ,? 9CID5T TOOK PLACE )A /RANG]
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LAT$ X 6,SUZANNE & ,PRISCILLA4
  ,MY FAMILY & ,I _H BE5 9VIT$ 0MY IN-
LAWS 6SP5D TWO WEEKS 9 A RESORT HOTEL 9
! S\? ( ,FR.E4 ,/ RECOV]+ F ! ATTACKS (
,SEPTEMB] #AA?1 ,I F.D MYF SURR5D]+ 6!
W>M? & S]5;Y (! ,M$IT]RAN1N Z ,I LAY ON
A RAFT A LL (F%ORE F ! HOTEL4 ,AN ,AM]I-
CAN WOMAN1 A /RANG]1 JO9$ ME ON ! RAFT1
&1 Z (T5 HAPP5S 6FELL[ CITIZ5S 9 =EIGN
L&S1 WE FELT AN 9/9CT 6BOND & 3V]SE4 ,Z
? WOMAN & ,I %>$ \R FEEL+S AB H[ NICE X
0 6GET AWAY F ! T5.N 9 ! ,U4,S41    #ABG
,I 0 CAU<T (F GU>D 0! LA/ -;T %E MADE TO
ME4
  ,%E 0 TALK+ AB ! *ALL5GES ( HUNT+ D[N
T]RORI/S 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES4 8,H[ C WE
POSSIBLY W9 ? W>80 %E ASK$4 8,H[ C WE
ID5TIFY ^! P8 ,! PRO#M10 %E 3T9U$1 8IS T
^! ,>AB-,MUSLIMS >E "EY":6 ,9 ,MI*IGAN1
": ,I -E F1 !Y'RE LIV+ "R AM;G U6 ,!Y'RE
9 \R NEI<BORHOODS & CITIES40
  ,Z ! ABSURD IMAGE ( AN ,>AB-,AM]ICAN
,MUSLIM FIF? COLUMN MAT]IALIZ$ 9 MY M9D1
,I FAIL$ 6F9D ! C\RAGE 6ID5TIFY MYF4 ,I
DIDN'T WANT 6BE AN \TSID]4 ,MY DESIRE TO
2 Z ,AM]ICAN Z %E 0 OV]RODE MY \TRAGE AT
H] 9S5SITIV;Y4 ,S ,I /AY$ ON VAC,N4 ,I
DIDN'T PO9T \ T ? WOMAN _H SP5T ! LA/
HALF H\R ) AN ,>AB-,AM]ICAN ,MUSLIM &
DIDN'T EV5 "K X4 ,=GET 8AM;G U10 ,I MI<T
H SD4 8,WE'RE "EY": Y LOOK60 ,B ,I SD
NO?+4 ,9/1D ,I DIV$ (F ! RAFT 96! W>M
WAT]S (! ,M$IT]RAN1N1 Z IF 6WA% AWAY !
H1VI;S (! -PLIC,NS ( MY H]ITAGE1 & SWAM
BACK 6%ORE4

                                    #ABH
,SUZANNE3 ,REMEMB] :5 ,I 9VIT$ Y 6JO9 \R
  BOOK CLUB 4CUS.N ON ! ,MI4LE ,EA/1
  ,RANYA8
,RANYA3 ,YES4
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  :O 0 S*$UL$ 6HO/ T EV5+ B[$ \ AF %E
  HE>D Y 7 -+4
,RANYA3 ,Y'VE GOT 6BE KI4+6

    ,SUZANNE3
  ,UN=TUNATELY1 ,I WASN'T KI4+4 ,& ,I
TOLD ,RANYA ! /ORY ,I'D KEPT F H] = M
?AN A YE>4
  ,"R AF ,I'D 9VIT$ ,RANYA 6! BOOK GR\P
4CUS.N1 ,I _H BUMP$ 96! WOMAN :O 0 SUP-
POS$ 6HO/ ! NEXT MEET+4 ,%E 0 ,JEWI%1
?\< ,I DIDN'T ?9K AB T Z ,I EXCIT$LY
TOLD H] AB ,RANYA1 H] FAMILY1 & H] $UC,N
9 ,MI4LE ,EA/ /UDIES4 ,Z ! WD-BE HO/ESS
LI/5$ 6ME1 ,I NOTIC$ H] EXPRES.N /I654
8,OH10 %E REPLI$1 !N TURN$ 6HU/LE H] *N
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  ,A FEW "DS LAT]1 %E EMAIL$ 6SAY T %E
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6RES*$ULE ! DATE1 B %E WASN'T 9T]E/$4
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_H 9VIT$ ,RANYA4 ,I ASSUR$ H] T ,RANYA 0
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?9K ,I W PASS40 ,%E ?"\ T IF ,RANYA SD
"S?+ (F5SIVE 6H]1 %E WD 2 9 A DI6ICULT
POSI;N Z ! HO/ESS4 ,I CD "U/& T ? FR
DIDN'T WANT 6SP5D AN EV5+ >GU+ AB ,ISRA-
EL )A ,PALE/9IAN GUE/ 9 H] HOME4 ,/1 ,I
0 />TL$ 6HE> T %E ASSUM$ ,RANYA 0 LIKELY
6SAY "S?+ (F5SIVE4

,RANYA3 ,:Y DIDN'T Y TELL ME T 2F8
,SUZANNE3 ,I DIDN'T WANT 6MAKE Y FEEL
  UNCOM=TA#4
,RANYA3 ,C Y IMAG9E IF Y REPLAC$ ,PALES-
  T9IAN ,MUSLIM ) ,AFRICAN ,AM]ICAN OR
  ,ASIAN8 ,I 4LIKE ! /]EOTYPES S M*4
  ,T'S :Y ,I WANT 6BE EMP[]$4 ,? IS :AT
  ? PROJECT IS AB = ME4 ,N AB ME 2L;G+1
  B ME SAY+ ,I AM PR\D ( :O ,I AM1 & ,I
  REFUSE 6BE PLU7$ 96A /]EOTYPE4 ,Y CD
  CALL ME A C[>D = N SP1K+ UP ON ! RAFT4
  ,= N SAY+ ANY?+4 ,:AT WD A ,JEW   #ACJ
  H D"O 9 SIMIL> SITU,NS8 ,TRU/ ME1 !Y
  WD N H BE5 SIL5T4 ,& N[ ,I WANT MY
  VOICE 6BE HE>D4
,PRISCILLA3 ,OKAY4 ,SP1K UP6
,RANYA3 ,Z A ,MUSLIM1 ,PRISCILLA1 WE
  FEEL T WE >E ! VICTIMS N[4
,PRISCILLA3 ,OKAY4 ,I W GIVE X 6Y4 ,Y C
  2 A VICTIM4

    ,RANYA3
  ,PRISCILLA SEEM$ 6ME 6PASS ! MANTLE (
VICTIMHOOD S RELUCTANTLY T ,I DIDN'T BE-
LIEVE %E M1NT :AT %E SD4
  ,SUZANNE 0 SUSPICI\S ( \R VICTIM /AT-
US1 TOO4 8,P MAY H DI6ICULTY ?9K+ AB
,MUSLIMS Z VICTIMS 2C N[ "! >E S _M AG-
GRESSORS US+ ! "N ( YR RELIGION10 %E SD4
  ,X _H BE5 A L;G EV5+ LI/5+ 6,SUZANNE &
,PRISCILLA HA% X \4 ,N[ T ,I 0 GETT+ !
OPPORTUN;Y 6A4RESS "S ( MY 3C]NS1 ,I
S5S$ H[ DI6ICULT MY AUDI;E 0 GO+ 6BE4 ,I
_H WANT$ 6TALK 6,PRISCILLA AB M EXPLO-
SIVE ISSUES1 AB ,ISRAEL4 ,B ,I 0 N 5C\R-
AG$ 0! FACT T %E 0 EV5 HAV+ A H>D "T
RECOGNIZ+ T /]EOTYPES ( ,MUSLIMS    #ACA
& ,>ABS EXI/$6 ,I CLE>LY / _H A LOT (
GR.D 6COV]4 ,WE WD NE$ ANO!R "D &A FEW M
DI6ICULT 4CUS.NS 2F ,PRISCILLA & ,SU-
ZANNE CD S9C]ELY & G5U9ELY "U/& & VALI-
DATE MY ,MUSLIM FEEL+S & PO9T ( VIEW4
  ,MUSLIMS FEEL T1 9 ! ,WE/1 ,ISLAM HAS
BE5 SE5 Z AN 9H]5TLY VIOL5T RELIGION T 0
UNAPOLOGETIC,Y SPR1D "? ! SWORD4 ,WE/]N-
]S SEEM 62LIEVE T ,ISLAM IS 9F]IOR Z A
RELIGION :5 !Y -P>E X 6! MESSAGE ( ,JE-
SUS ,*RI/4 ,"S 9 ! ,WE/ 3SID] ! MOD]N-"D
VIOL;E -MITT$ 9 ! "N ( ,ISLAM 6BE A MOD-
]N MANIFE/,N ( T RELIGION & 3SID] XS
PROPHET A FALSE PROPHET ) DUBI\S1 "QA#
MORAL;Y2 "S 3SID] HM AN EPILEPTIC & DIS-
MISS 8 VI.NS2 O!RS 3SID] HM A MADMAN4
,"S ,WE/]N]S 3SID] ,ISLAM'S HOLY SCRIP-
TURES 6BE PLAGI>IZ$ V].NS ( ,*RI/IAN &
,JEWI% TEXTS & 3SID] ,MUSLIMS B>B>IC1
UNCIVILIZ$1 EXTREME1 & UN5LI<T5$4
  ,E M9OR;Y OR E?NIC GR\P HAS AT "O PO9T
OR ANO!R SU6]$ F 2+ /]EOTYP$1 B ^! "DS
MO/ P T5D 6VIEW /]EOTYPES Z /]EOTYPES &
H A S5SE T !Y >E N TRUE4 ,I ?9K ,ISLAM
IS ! EXCEP;N 6? RULE3 9 ! ,WE/      #ACB
MO/ P H ONLY "O IMAGE ( ,ISLAM--!Y C>RY
A /]EOTYPE ( ,ISLAM Z A VIOL5T1 RADICAL1
& REGRESSIVE RELIGION4
  ,? /]EOTYPE UN=TUNATELY ASSUM$ EXPLO-
SIVE DIM5.NS AF ! PUBLIC,N 9 ,D5M>K (
TWELVE C>TOONS (! PROPHET ,MUHAMMAD COM-
MIS.N$ 0A NEWSPAP] $ITOR 8Z A TE/ ( :E!R
,MUSLIM FUNDA;TALI/S _H 2GUN A6ECT+ !
FREEDOM ( EXPRES.N 9 ,D5M>K40 ,! PRO#M )
T TE/ IS ! ASSUMP;N T ! C>TOONS >E (F5-
SIVE ONLY 6FUNDA;TALI/S4 ,? IS N TRUE3 !
MAJOR;Y ( ,MUSLIMS F.D ! C>TOONS DEFAMA-
TORY1 9FLAMMATORY1 BLASPHEM\S1 & UNNEC-
ESS>ILY PROVOCATIVE 9 ! /]EOTYP+ ( _!
PROPHET1 :O IS DEEPLY RESPECT$ & REV]$ Z
A MAN ( P1CE4 ,9 R1L;Y1 ! NEWSPAP] $ITOR
0 N TE/+ :E!R FREE SPEE* 0 AT RISK1 B R
:E!R ,D5M>K1 L ! RE/ (! ,MUSLIM & NON-
,MUSLIM _W1 0 VULN]A# 6VIOL;E C>RI$ \ 9
! "N ( ,ISLAM 0EXTREMI/S & RADICALS4 ,?
IS "PICUL>LY 4TRESS+ :5 Y 3SID] T ELEV5
AMBASSADORS F ,MUSLIM C.TRIES1 9CLUD+
,TURKEY1 ,BOSNIA1 ,IRAN1 ,EGYPT1 & ,9DO-
NESIA1 WROTE 6! ,DANI% PRIME M9I/]
REQUE/+ A MEET+ 64CUSS ! ISSUE      #ACC
SOON AF ! C>TOONS' PUBLIC,N1 B 7 REFUS$4
,:5 ! PROP] *ANNELS ( DIPLOMACY & 3FLICT
RESOLU;N >E CLOS$1 P]FECT 3DI;NS >E CRE-
AT$ = EXTREMI/S ON BO? SIDES--,EUROP1N
,ISLAMAPHOBES & MILITANT ,MUSLIMS--6ADD
FUEL 6_! [N FIRES4 ,! 3FLICT IS FRAM$ &
MANIPULAT$ 0^? ,EUROP1NS :O >E ?R1T5$1
FE>;L1 & PREJUDIC$ AG/ _! GR[+ 9DIG5\S
,MUSLIM M9ORITIES1 Z A W> ( IRRECONCILA#
VALUES 2T TWO SIDES3 ! LIB]AL1 5LI<T5$1
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R,Y+ CALL = "S ,EUROP1NS1 :O H US$ X Z A
SYMBOL = :AT !Y DESCRIBE Z ! ,MUSLIM
?R1T 6,WE/]N CIVILIZ,N & 8\R WAY (
LIFE40 ,& X HAS GIV5 MILITANT ,MUSLIMS1
:O FRAME X Z "O M P]CVD 9JU/ICE SU6]$ AT
! H&S ( ,WE/]N IMP]IALI/ ANTI-,MUSLIM
POLICIES1 AN EXCUSE = VIOL;E4
  ,_H ! ISSUE BE5 MANAG$ M R,N,Y & LESS
EMO;N,Y1 X MI<T H REMA9$ J A P]IPH]AL
EXAMPLE ( "O $ITOR'S EX]CISE 9 FREE EX-
PRES.N1 AB : ,MUSLIMS WD H BE5 FREE 6EX-
PRESS _! OBJEC;NS4 ,A LESS EMO;NAL1 M
3FID5T ,EUROP1N RESPONSE WD H AC-   #ACD
"KL$G$ T1 :ILE FREEDOM ( SPEE* IS AN AB-
SOLUTE "R1 9CITE;T ( HATR$ & DEMONIZ+ (
O!RS %D 2 %UNN$4 ,J Z D1? ?R1TS & VIOL;E
>E N"E A3EPTA# & >E TRULY UN-,ISLAMIC1 A
WOR?Y GOAL = BO? ! ,MUSLIM &! NON-
,MUSLIM _W IS 63SID] UNA3EPTA# ALL 9CI-
D5TS ( ANTI-,SEMITISM1 ANTI-,*RI/IAN;Y1
ANTI-,ISLAM1 OR ANTI-M9OR;Y S5TI;TS4 ,!
MAJOR;Y ( ,MUSLIMS 3DEMN ! VIOL;E1 &
,EUROP1NS %D REFUSE 6BE 9TIMIDAT$ 0X4
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,CLE>LY1 A FEW /]EOTYPES W H 6BE %$ 2F P
C EV5 2G9 6IMAG9E TALK+ AB A %>$ ,JUDEO-
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  ,I "U/OOD & EMPA?IZ$1 H["E1 )! FACT T
AL? ,SUZANNE & ,PRISCILLA BO? CAME F
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H[ ,MUSLIMS FEEL T !Y H BE5 VICTIMS (
UNAPOLOGETIC /]EOTYP+4 ,9 FACT1 ,I TOLD
!M T IF ,I _H BE5 AN ,AM]ICAN ^: ONLY
EXPOSURE 6,ISLAM _H BE5 "? ! H1DL9E
NEWS1 ,I WD PROBABLY FEEL ! SAME WAY4
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-MITT$ 9 ! "N ( ,ISLAM _H BE5 !     #ACE
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6O!RS4 ,PRISCILLA1 Z A ,JEW1 MAY H A H>D
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MAY H FELT ?R1T5$ T ? RECOGNI;N WD *AL-
L5GE H] [N]%IP (! ,HOLOCAU/ & ULTIMATELY
! "R ( ,ISRAEL 6EXI/ Z A ,JEWI% /ATE4
  ,I ?9K ,PRISCILLA 0 RELUCTANT 6GIVE ME
! TITLE ( VICTIM 2C %E FELT T ! ,HOLO-
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;Y4 ,%E MAY H FELT T Z A ,MUSLIM ,I 0 N
RECOGNIZ+ ! MAGNITUDE (! ,HOLOCAU/4 ,X 0
GO+ 6TAKE "T 2F WE WD H A TRUE HE>T-TO-
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TAK+ ANY?+ AWAY F ! SU6]+ (! ,JEWS :5 ,I
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LIMS4
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,MUSLIMS1 & ,*RI/IANS >5'T SU6]+1 DY+1
/>V+1 & HOME.S4 ,I'M N D5Y+ ! ,HOLOCAU/
0ANY M1NS--& WD N"E D S--B ,I ?9K T ^U !
F.D+ ( ,ISRAEL1 ! ,ZIONI/S CLAIM$ ! HI<
GR.D1 & UP UNTIL TD1 X'S BE5 H>D    #ACF
= ,PALE/9IANS 6BE HE>D & ?"\ ( Z VIC-
TIMS4

,SUZANNE3 ,S :AT IS YR /]EOTYPE ( ,*RIS-
  TIANS1 ,PRISCILLA8
,PRISCILLA3 ,Y RE,Y WANT 6"K8
,SUZANNE3 ,SURE4 ,2C ,I DON'T ?9K ,I'M
  GO+ 6BE P]SON,Y A6ECT$ 0X4
,PRISCILLA3 ,2C Y'RE 9 ! MAJOR;Y4 ,:AT D
  Y C>E8
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  ,I AM N ! /]EOTYPE4 ,S ,I'M WOND]+ IF
  Y FELT ! SAME 4T.E :5 ,I EXPRESS$ MY
  /]EOTYPE ( ,JEWS4
,PRISCILLA3 ,I TAKE X M P]SON,Y Z A
  ,JEW4
,RANYA3 ,MAYBE "P (! R1SON Y'RE N A6ECT-
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,PRISCILLA3 ,RANYA & ,I "U/& EA*    #ACG
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  ,"R8
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  H1 ! ?+S T Y FEEL T ,I DON'T T MAKE Y
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    ,PRISCILLA3
  ,WE'D BE5 TALK+ = M ?AN TWO H\RS N[4
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3V]S,N4 ,! DRIVE BACK 6! SUBURBS WD TAKE
ME ALM AN H\R AT ? "T4 ,WD MY *OCOLATE
BUZZ KEEP ME UP =A :ILE8
  ,SUZANNE JOLT$ ME \ ( MY R"EIES ON
*OCOLATE4 8,PRISCILLA10 %E ASK$1 8D Y
FEEL L Y C'T 3NECT ) ME 2C ,I AM "P (A
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FIGURE ? \8 8,Y WDN'T "U/&10 ,I SD 4MIS-
SIVELY4
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SD4 8,T'S 4CRIM9,N ON MY "P40
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SD4 ,H] FACE FLU%$4 ,%E 0 ADAMANT AB ?4
8,I CAME F ,KANSAS ,C;Y 6,NEW ,YORK
,C;Y4 ,I W5T 6A RELATIVELY UN"KN COLLEGE
9 ,TEXAS & !N 9 ,NEW ,YORK -PET$ = JOBS
) P ^: FAMILIES _H G"O 6,YALE OR ,H>V>D
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COLLEGE ,I 0 ON A FULL-TUI;N S*OL>%IP
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  ,SUZANNE PAUS$1 TOOK A DEEP BR1? & =G$
ON4 ,I DIDN'T SAY A ^W4 ,H] USUAL 3FID5T
P]SONA 0 %IFT+ 2F MY EYES4 ,%E 0 PEEL+
(F A LAY] ( H]F & REV1L+ D\BTS & 9SECU-
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/UD5TS4 ,&1 0! WAY1 MY P>5TS 7 (!   #ACI
F/ G5],N 9 _! FAMILIES 6G 6COLLEGE40
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  8,B Y CAME F A ,JEWI% BACKGR.D T VAL-
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63C$E OR BACK D[N F H] PO9T4 8,MY "F
TOLD ME T X DIDN'T MATT] ": ,I W5T 6COL-
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9 FACT1 T ? 0 A TURN+ PO9T = ME4 ,I CD
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9F]IOR 6O!RS4 ,%E ALW SEEM$ S 3FID5T1
BO? 9 H] RELIGION & H] P]SONAL ATTITUDE4
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N[1 9 J A C\PLE ( MO;TS1 AF H\RS ( 3V]-
S,N1 %E _H SPOK5 J A FEW ^WS T *ANG$ ALL
MY PRECONCEP;NS ( H]4
  ,ALL MY /]EOTYPES4
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NOR;Y40

,SUZANNE3 ,S :AT'S ! RE/ (! ,*RI/IAN /]-
  EOTYPE = Y8
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  2GAN 6"U/& H[ GD ,JESUS WAS4 ,N[ :5 Y
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  ?9K ( ,*RI/IAN;Y Z A GD RELIGION4 ,I
  ?9K ( ,*RI/IANS Z GD P1 B WE DON'T NE$
  ! PROPAG&A4

    ,SUZANNE3                       #ADA
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KNEW :AT %E M1NT4 ,Y C'T TRAVEL F> 9
,AM]ICA )\T "S MESSAGE AB ,JESUS AS-
SAULT+ Y4 ,HE'S N ONLY 9 *UR*ES4 ,HE'S
ON BUMP] /ICK]S1 BILLBO>DS1 & PAMPHLETS4
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SUBWAY /,NS 0! ,JEHOVAH'S ,WIT;SES4 ,B
"S"TS ! MESSAGE IS A R1L TURN(F4
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FAMILY4 ,9 BIG BOLD LRS1 ! SIGN R1D3
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GRET ,X ,="E40 ,I CR+$ :5 ,I R1D X4 ,X'S
T K9D ( PROSELYTIZ+ T MAKES ME SELF-
3SCI\S AB TALK+ AB ,JESUS4 ,XS MESSAGE
RE9=CES AN IMAGE ( ,*RI/IANS Z JUDG;TAL
& >ROGANT MIS.N>IES4 ,I'M N T K9D (
,*RI/IAN1 & ,I DON'T WANT 6BE LABEL$ T
WAY4

    ,PRISCILLA3
  ,SUZANNE _H PL1D$ H] CASE4 ,%E'D 4T.ED
H]F F ! ,*RI/IANS ^: MOTIVES ,I _H "Q$4
8,D Y RE,Y ?9K T ,I'M "O ( !M80     #ADB
%E ASK$ ME4
  ,&1 TRU?;LLY1 ,I ANSW]$ 8,NO40
  ,I ELABORAT$4 8,IN FACT10 ,I SD1 8Y'RE
"R1 ,SUZANNE4 ,I'VE BE5 /]EOTYP+ Y40
  ,BL9D$ 0MY [N FE>S ( 2+ /]EOTYP$1 ,I'D
N"E BE5 A# 6SEE T ,I 0 LUMP+ ,SUZANNE
TGR )A BUN* ( UN5LI<T5$ BIGOTS--P :O
BLAM$ ,JEWS =! D1? ( ,*RI/4
  ,X _H BE5 A L;G NI<T4 ,A L;G C\PLE (
MON?S1 ACTU,Y4 ,TEMP]S _H FL>$ OV] !
CRUCIFIXION1 ,SUZANNE _H BRAVELY 3FESS$
H] 4COM=T ) 2+ MISTAK5 =A ,JEW4 ,%E'D
DESCRIB$ ! /]EOTYPE (A ,JEW 9 ^WS T ,I
_H N"E1 "E HE>D A ,*RI/IAN P]SON SAY \
L\D4
  ,%E'D BE5 BRAVE4 ,& ,I TOLD H] T MON?S
LAT]1 AF "S "T _H PASS$1 W.DS _H H1L$1 &
WE'D 2GUN SP1K+ AB ! ?+S T UNIT$ U R ?AN
! ?+S T DIVID$ U4





             ,,*APT] ,,SIX          #ADC
             ,CD ,Y ,3V]T8

,SUZANNE3 ,H Y BE5 6! MOSQUE ON ,N9ETY-
  SIX? ,/REET1 ,RANYA8
,RANYA3 ,I 0 M>RI$ "!4 ,B X'S TOO 3S]VA-
  TIVE = ME4 ,I'M AFRAID ,I'LL 2 JUDG$
  0:E!R ,I COV] MY HAIR1 :AT ,I WE> & H[
  ,I PRAY4 ,Y'RE LUCKY1 ,SUZANNE4 ,I
  DON'T H A NEI<BORHOOD PLACE 6WOR%IP L
  Y D4
,SUZANNE3 ,IF Y'RE UNCOM=TA# 9 A MOSQUE1
  ,RANYA1 :Y N TRY A *UR* OR A TEMPLE8

    ,RANYA3
  ,= MON?S1 ,I'D BE5 L;G+ =A MOSQUE & AN
IMAM :O CD PROMOTE & SU/A9 \R FAMILY'S
"U/&+ (! ,MUSLIM FAI? & ,GOD4 ,I WANT$ A
MOSQUE 9 : MY ,AM]ICAN FAMILY WD N FEEL
=EIGN1 A MOSQUE T 0 N DOM9AT$ 0F/-G5],N
IMMIGRANT M5 :O _H LEFT _! FAMILIES 2H 9
EI _! HOME C.TRIES OR _! HOMES 9 ,NEW
,YORK4 ,I NE$$ A MOSQUE N ONLY = MYF B =
MY F\R-YE>-OLD SON1 :O _H 2GUN ASK+ IN-
CESSANT "QS AB LIFE & D1?4 ,I 0 FILL$ )
SAD;S Z ,I SAW MY SON /RU7LE TO     #ADD
OV]COME 8 FE>S & -E 6T]MS ) 8 [N & 8
LOV$ "OS' MORTAL;Y4 ,^? "QS 7 *ALL5G+ ME
6REEXAM9E MY [N UNRESOLV$ FAI? ISSUES4
,I CRAV$1 = HM1 A SETT+ SIMIL> 6A ,SUN"D
S*OOL OR ,HEBREW S*OOL1 ": 8 RELIGI\S
$UC,N CD 2 TAK5 C>E ( )\T ME HAV+ 6WRES-
TLE )! ANSW]S 6HIS "QS AL"O4
  8,I FEEL L ,I'M SU6]+ F A SEV]E CASE (
TEMPLE & *UR* 5VY10 ,I HALF-JOK+LY CON-
FESS$ 6,SUZANNE & ,PRISCILLA4
  ,? FEEL+ HAS E2$ & FL[$ "?\T MY LIFE1
EV5 9 MY "DS Z A COLLEGE /UD5T :5 ,I 0
5VI\S ( MY ,CA?OLIC ROOMMATE'S 3NEC;N )!
,JESUIT PRIE/S AT ,GEORGET[N &! LUXURY (
_SUAL H1L+ & SUPPORT %E CD RCV AT *APEL
E ,SUN"D EV5+4
  8,DID YR FAMILY WOR%IP AT MOSQUES :5 Y
7 GR[+ UP 9 ! ,MI4LE ,EA/80 ,PRISCILLA
WOND]$4
  8,NO4 ,WE N"E DID10 ,I REPLI$4 8,& ,I
REC5TLY ASK$ MY P>5TS :Y T 0 ! CASE40
  ,MY "F'S EXPLAN,N = N 2L;G+ 6A MOSQUE
SEEM$ 6ME 6BE Z VALID TD 9 \R 3TEMPOR>Y
,MUSLIM EXP]I;E 9 ,AM]ICA Z X _H BE5 =
MY P>5TS 9 ! ,>ABIAN ,GULF4 ,AT !   #ADE
CORE IS ! ISSUE ( 4LOC,N4 ,_H MY "F 3T9-
U$ 8 LIFE 9 ,TIB]IAS1 HE PROBABLY WD H
FREQU5T$ ! LOCAL MOSQUE1 ^: IMAM WD H
M>RI$ HM & EV5TU,Y 8 *N4 ,"! WD H BE5
3T9U;Y--! LOCAL -MUN;Y WOR%IP$ AT ! SAME
MOSQUE F G5],N 6G5],N4 ,9 FACT1 MY MAT]-
NAL GR&"M REC5TLY %>$ ) ME MEMORIES ( H]
"F MAK+ 8 WEEKLY ,FRI"D EXCUR.N F ,RAM-
LEH 6,J]USALEM 6P]=M ! SPECIAL ,FRI"D
PRAY]S 9 ! HOLIE/ ( CITIES AT ;,AL-,AQSA
MOSQUE4 ,B Z IMMIGRANTS 9 ,KUWAIT1 EV5 !
MOSQUES SEEM$ =EIGN & \TSIDE ! -=T ( \R
NATIVE SOCIAL & CULTURAL L&SCAPE4
  ,MY "F'S *ALL5GE 6F9D 8 FAMILY A H\SE
( WOR%IP IS P>ALLEL$ TD 9 ! EXP]I;E ( \R
,MUSLIM FAMILY 9 ,NEW ,YORK ,C;Y4 ,WE H
LIV$ 9 ,NEW ,YORK = T5 YE>S1 YET N"E BE5
A6ILIAT$ )A MOSQUE4 ,X IS DI6ICULT 6F9D
A MOSQUE ^: IMAM & 3GREG,N H A SIMIL>
"U/&+ ( ,ISLAM 6M9E & MY FAMILY'S4
  ,:ILE *UR*ES & TEMPLES SEEM 6DOT ,MAN-
HATTAN'S L&SCAPE1 MOSQUES >E M* H>D] TO
F9D4 ,UNTIL #BJJC1 ,I KNEW ( ONLY "O
MOSQUE 9 ,NEW ,YORK ,C;Y1 ! ,N9ETY-SIX?
,/REET ,MOSQUE4 ,! MAJOR;Y (        #ADF
,MUSLIMS :O WOR%IP "!1 H["E1 APPE> 6BE
NEW IMMIGRANTS :O / >E CLOS] CULTUR,Y TO
_! HOME C.TRIES ?AN !Y >E 6,AM]ICA4 ,I
FE>$ T1 2C _! 3C]NS1 OP9IONS1 & PREJU-
DICE MI<T REFLECT _! LIVES & EXP]I;ES Z
NEW IMMIGRANTS1 MY ,AM]ICAN FAMILY WD
/ICK \ L SORE ?UMBS4
  ,"O (! PRO#MS ) ,ISLAM 9 ,AM]ICA IS T
X HAS 2COME A VOICE =! 4A6ECT$4 ,WIT;S
PRISON 3V].NS4 ,"S"TS1 Z A ,MUSLIM1 ,I
CR+E AT ! PROCESS 0: X SEEMS Y C -MIT A
CRIME1 5T] PRISON1 & 2COME A MEMB] (!
,N,N ( ,ISLAM6 ,9 ! ,AFRICAN ,AM]ICAN
EXP]I;E ! ,MUSLIM VOICE C 2 AN ANGRY "O1
LAD5 ) ISSUES ( SLAV]Y4 ,OR 9 ! CASE (
REC5T IMMIGRANTS1 T VOICE C 2 FILL$ )!
ALI5,N & RES5T;T T -ES F LOS+ A HOME1
C.TRY1 OR CULTURE1 OR HAV+ !M ?R1T5$4
,"S"TS ,ISLAM'S VOICE 9 IMMIGRANTS'
LIVES REFLECTS A POLITICAL OR SOCIAL
AG5DA T IS 9SPIR$ 0! HOME C.TRY4 ,2F
#I_/AA ,I CD / 4T.E MY FAMILY F T V].N (
,ISLAM & $UCATE MY *N AB _! ,MUSLIM H]I-
TAGE AT HOME4 ,B AF #I_/AA ,I FELT T WE
CD NO L;G] AF=D 6BE -PLAC5T4 ,MY    #ADG
HUSB& & ,I _H 6F9D T ALT]NATIVE ,MUSLIM
VOICE--AN ,AM]ICAN1 MAT]NAL VOICE4

    ,SUZANNE3
  ,RANYA'S RELIGI\S 8HOME.S;S0 _H 2COME
A RECURR+ !ME 9 \R 3V]S,NS1 & ,I WANT$
6HELP4 ,I DIDN'T H ! "T OR EXP]TISE TO
SC\T ,NEW ,YORK'S MOSQUES4 ,B ,I DID H
\R ,EPISCOPAL *UR* 6(F]4 ,?\< ,RANYA
DIDN'T 2LIEVE ,JESUS 0 ! ,SON ( ,GOD1 %E
DID 2LIEVE HE 0 A HOLY PROPHET4 ,MAYBE
%E CD OV]LOOK ! 4T9C;N =! B5EFIT ( "PIC-
IPAT+ 9 A RELIGI\S -MUN;Y4
  ,I DIDN'T WANT 6APPE> IMP]IALI/1 =C+ !
8IMMIGRANT0 6ADOPT ! RELIGION (! NEW
C.TRY4 ,B ,I WANT$ 6(F] X4 ,I 2LIEVE T
"O'S _SUAL;Y NE$S 6BE N\RI%$ 9 ORD] TO
?RIVE4 ,-MUN;Y1 /UDY1 ACTS ( *>;Y1 & M$-
IT,N ALL /R5G!N \R FAI?4 ,& \R *N NE$ A
MORAL & _SUAL $UC,N T IS N (F]$ 9 SECUL>
S*OOLS4 ,IF ,RANYA WASN'T F9D+ ^? TOOLS
9 H] [N TRADI;N1 ,I 0 (F]+--?\< N AT ALL
PU%+--M9E4 ,I WOND]$ IF MY *UR* MI<T 2
SORT (A FO/] HOME = H] & H] *N4 ,RANYA
WDN'T 2 ! F/ NON-,*RI/IAN AT ,/4    #ADH
,JAMES'4 ,AN ELD]LY ,JEWI% MAN CAME 6\R
S]VICES E ,SUN"D WE>+ 8 Y>MULKE4
  ,S1 AF "O ( \R MEET+S ,I CALL$ ,RANYA
& 9VIT$ H] & H] FAMILY 6,EA/] S]VICE AT
\R *UR* FOLL[$ 0BRUN* AT \R HOME4
8,PL1SE DON'T FEEL ANY PRESSURE10 ,I SD4
8,I WON'T 2 (F5D$ IF Y TELL ME T Y WD R
N G4 ,B1 IF Y ?9K Y MI<T 5JOY X1 WE WD
LOVE 6H Y40
  ,AF SP1K+ 6H] HUSB&1 ,RANYA A3EPT$ \R
9VIT,N4 ,%E QUIZZ$ ME ON ! PROP] *UR*
ATTIRE = H] FAMILY & (F]$ 6BR+ A SIDE
DI% = \R BRUN*4 ,I DECID$ ,I WD MAKE MY
TRADI;NAL ,EA/] DI%1 C\LIBIAC1 A BRIO*E
D\< SURR.D+ LAY]S ( CREPES1 SALMON
M\SSE1 SA6RON RICE & H>D-BOIL$ E7S4 ,I
ORD]$ A *OCOLATE ,EA/] CAKE & B"\ 2JEW-
EL$ EGG-%AP$ C&LES =! TA#4 ,I WANT$ \R
,EA/] "PY 6BE A SU3ESS4

    ,RANYA3
  ,:5 ,SUZANNE 9VIT$ MY FAMILY 6JO9 H]S
= AN ,EA/] S]VICE AT _! *UR*1 FOLL[$ 0A
FAMILY BRUN*1 ,I 0 DELI<T$ B A LL
ANXI\S4 ,SUZANNE H]F PREFAC$ !      #ADI
9VIT,N 0SAY+1 8,IF Y DON'T FEEL -=TA#1
DON'T FEEL Y H TO40 ,AL? ,I _H VISIT$ _M
HI/ORIC *UR*ES1 ATT5D$ AN \TDOOR MASS Z
"P ( MY GRADU,N F ,GEORGET[N1 & EV5
SN1K$ 96\R NEI<BOR+ *UR* 6GET A CLOSE-UP
VIEW (! B1UTI;L /A9$ GLASS W9D[S T \R
A"P;T IS LUCKY 5 6FACE1 ? 0 ! F/ "T \R
FAMILY 0 (FICI,Y 9VIT$ 6"PICIPATE 9 A
HOLI"D S]VICE T 0 FUNDA;TAL 6! ,*RI/IAN
TRADI;N4
  ,:5 ,I F/ %>$ ! 9VIT,N ) ,SAMI1 ,I 0
SURPRIS$ AT 8 REAC;N4 ,HE IS ! M SECUL>
(! TWO ( U4 ,N ONLY DID HE EXPRESS 3C]N
T ! *N MI<T -E AWAY 3FUS$1 ESPECI,Y S9CE
!Y _H N"E WOR%IP$ AT A MOSQUE1 B HE T1S-
+LY JOK$ AB MY IMM95T 3V].N4 ,I1 ON !
O!R H&1 0 R1DY 6TAKE MY DEVELOP+ ECUM5I-
CAL 2LIEF "O /EP FUR!R4 ,I _H 2COME AW>E
T ! M ,I LE>N$ AB ! -MON 2LIEFS T L9K \R
?REE FAI? TRADI;NS1 ! M MY 2LIEF 9 ,GOD
0 /R5G!N$4 ,I EXPLA9$ T ,I HOP$ \R VISIT
6! ,OLIV]S' *UR* WD R5D] M1N+ 6RITUALS
WE ALR "PICIPAT$ 9 CULTUR,Y B N _SU,Y4
,Z A * ,I _H COLOR$ ,EA/] E7S &
"PICIPAT$ 9 EGG HUNTS4 ,& N[ MY     #AEJ
[N *N RCVD ,EA/] BASKETS E YE>4
  ,WE AGRE$ 6MEET AT ,/4 ,JAMES' ,*UR*
AT N9E 9 ! MORN+4 ,3SCI\S (! E>LY />T1
,I PREP>$ A *ICKPEA DI% ) SESAME PA/E1
G>LIC1 & P9E NUTS ! NI<T 2F4 ,Z ,I G>-
NI%$ ! B[L ) OLIVE OIL & P>SLEY1 ,I FELT
! 2G9N+ (A SORE ?ROAT4 ,I LAID \ ! *N'S
CLO!S & W5T 6B$ HOP+ 6RECOV] AF A GD
NI<T'S RE/4 ,! FOLL[+ MORN+ ,I 0 S SICK
& A*Y1 ,I CD H>DLY MOVE4 ,! ?"\ ( MISS+
! S]VICE OR N %[+ UP 0 \ (! "Q = ME4 ,I
0 DET]M9$ 6MAKE X1 -E :AT MAY4 ,I FELT T
,SUZANNE _H R1*$ \ GRACI\SLY & :OLE-
HE>T$LY 09CLUD+ U 9 H] FAMILY'S ,EA/]4
,%E _H RECOGNIZ$ MY ANG/ & L;G+ 6BE "P (
A _SUAL -MUN;Y1 &! FRU/R,N ,I H FELT AT
"TS :5 Z A FAMILY WE H MISS$ \ ON ! -MU-
NAL CELEBR,N ( C]TA9 COLOR;L ,MUSLIM
TRADI;NS & HOLI"DS4 ,S ,SUZANNE _H 9VIT$
U 6%>E H]S4 ,APPRECIAT+ H] G5]\S GE/URE1
,I POPP$ TWO ,ADVIL PILLS1 & WE MADE \R
WAY 6*UR*4
  ,ONCE ,I 5T]$ ,SUZANNE'S *UR* &! S]-
VICE 2GAN1 ,I =GOT H[ SICK ,I WAS4 ,MY
DEEPE/ RES]VES ( 5]GY 7 EASILY      #AEA
SUMMON$ 0! P[];LLY TRANSC5D5T MUSIC4 ,!
S5SE ( O3A.N ! MUSIC 3JUR$ UP GAVE ME A
NEW APPRECI,N (! B1UTY (! DETAILS 9 !
*UR*'S GILD$ ALT>PIECE & >*ITECTURE4 ,I
R1LIZ$ T ,I CD 2 MOV$ Z M* 9 *UR* Z :5
,I LI/5 6RECIT,NS (! ,QURAN4 ,I 0 BR"\
6TE>S Z ,I OBS]V$ ! G5],NS GA!R$ TGR TO
WOR%IP 9 ! PEWS >.D ME4 ,"F & SON1 "M &
DAU<T]3 "O 9 ! IMAGE (! O!R1 BO? 9 !
IMAGE ( ,GOD1 ALL P]SONIFY+ ! MIRACLE &
3T9U;Y ( LIFE4 ,! RITUALS1 ! S5SE ( O3A-
.N & MUSIC HUM#D ME 9 MY HUMAN;Y 9 !
PRES;E ( ,GOD4

    ,SUZANNE3
  ,AT *UR* ,EA/] MORN+ MY FAMILY SLID
96A PEW1 & M9UTES LAT]1 ! ,IDLIBY FAMILY
JO9$ U4 ,!N ! HORNS1 ORGAN1 & DRUMS 2GAN
PLAY+ ! TRIUMPHANT MUSIC ( ,EA/]1 &!
3GREG,N 2GAN 6S+4 ,I 0 FILL$ )! JOY (!
O3A.N & ?RILL$ 6BE %>+ ! B1UTI;L EXP]I;E
) ,RANYA & H] FAMILY4
  ,B ONCE ! MUSIC /OPP$ &! PRAY]S />T$1
,I 2GAN 6NOTICE A SELF-3SCI\S;S ,I _HN'T
ANTICIPAT$4 ,I KNEW ,RANYA'S        #AEB
,MUSLIM VIEW ( ,JESUS 0 T HE 0 A GRT
PROPHET1 N 6BE 3FUS$ )! ,"O ,GOD4 ,9
FACT1 ,MUSLIMS & ,JEWS "Q :E!R ! ,*RIS-
TIAN WOR%IP (! TR9;Y 7,GOD ! ,"F1 ,JESUS
! ,SON1 &! ,HOLY ,_S7 C EV5 2 CALL$ MON-
O!ISM4 ,S1 Z ,I SAT 9 *UR* ) ,RANYA &
,SAMI1 X 0 Z IF ,I 0 HE>+ \R S]VICE "? A
FILT] ( ,ISLAM1 & EA* "T WE SD1 8,JESUS
,*RI/ \R ,"L10 ,I FELT A TW+E ( 4COM=T4
,? IS N APP1L+ 6!M1 ,I ?"\4
  ,Z ,HOLY ,-MUNION APPROA*$1 \R PRAY]S
7 FILL$ ) PHRASES L SACRIFICE1 BODY &
BLOOD1 & ,LAMB ( ,GOD4 ,I _H HE>D ^!
T]MS = DECADES1 & !Y _H N"E MADE ME
BLU%4 ,B N[ !Y DID4 ,AF SP5D+ S M* "T )
,RANYA & ,PRISCILLA FOCUS+ ON ! 8"O
,GOD0 T 3NECT$ U ALL1 ,I 0 FAC$ ) AN AS-
PECT ( ,GOD T DIVID$ U--! DIV9;Y ( ,JE-
SUS &! PURPOSE ( 8 D1?4 ,WE 7 CELEBRAT+
! SACRIFICE ( "S"O--"S"O WE 2LIEV$ 6BE
BO? ,GOD & HUMAN--^: D1? HELP$ 6PUR*ASE
"ELA/+ LIFE = U4 ,I RECOGNIZ$ H[ -PLETE-
LY WILD ! 3CEPT S.D$4 ,I AL RECOGNIZ$ H[
DI6ICULT X WD 2 = "S"O 6JO9 \R -MUN;Y
)\T 2LIEV+ X4 ,/4 ,JAMES' CDN'T 2   #AEC
,RANYA'S RELIGI\S FO/] HOME4 ,E GA!R+ %E
ATT5D$ "! WD 2G9 )A PRAY] T 3CLUD$ )!
^WS1 8,"? ,JESUS ,*RI/ \R ,"L40
  ,FEEL+ 9CR1S+LY UNCOM=TA#1 ,I F.D MYF
LOOK+ =W>D 6! S]VICE'S 3CLU.N :5 WE WD
H1D HOME 6A BRUN* ( C\LIBIAC1 SALAD1 &
,RANYA'S ,MI4LE ,EA/]N *ICKP1S4 ,I 0
PRETTY SURE T X WD 2 EASI] = U 63NECT
OV] *OCOLATE RA2ITS & COLOR$ E7S ?AN OV]
! /ORY ( ,JESUS' RESURREC;N4

    ,RANYA3
  ,Z ,SUZANNE'S ,EA/] S]VICE 0 NE>+ XS
5D1 ,I DID N ANTICIPATE MY SU45 REV]SAL
( FEEL+S4 ,I _H BE5 S FOCUS$ ON ! B1UTY
(! S]VICE1 5JOY+ ! ,GOD T UNITES U1 T ,I
0 CAU<T (F GU>D 0MY 9CR1S+ SELF-
3SCI\S;S4 ,:5 P TURN$ 9 _! PEWS 2F -MUN-
ION 6SAY 8,P1CE 2 ) Y0 & %AKE ! H&S (
"EY"O >.D !M1 ,I 2GAN 6FEEL L AN IMPO/]4
,I CD N HELP WOND]+ 6MYF IF ^! P>I%ION]S
WD 2 Z -=TA# 9 _! GREET+S 6ME & MY FAMI-
LY IF !Y KNEW WE 7 ,MUSLIMS4 ,MI<T !Y
?9K WE 7 LO/ S\LS T NE$$ 6BE SAV$ BY
A3EPT+ ,JESUS Z ! SAVIOR1 OR EV5    #AED
REN\NC+ ,ISLAM8 ,!N CAME ,HOLY ,-MUNION4
,X 0 AT T PO9T T MY ,MUSLIM ID5T;Y AC-
TIVELY 2GAN 6REASS]T XF4 ,MY ,MUSLIM
"U/&+ ( ,JESUS Z HUMAN MADE ME FEEL A"P
F ^? :O 7 L9+ UP 6TAKE BR1D4 ,! RITUAL (
RCVG BR1D1 9 MY M9D1 IS ! /R;GE/ EMBODI-
;T & SYMBOLIC 5ACT;T (! 3CEPT (! ,HOLY
,TR9;Y &! ,*RI/IAN "U/&+ ( ,JESUS Z DI-
V9E1 Z ,GOD ON E>?4
  ,Z WE EM]G$ F ! *UR*1 96! CRISP SPR+
AIR1 A WELL-M1N+ G5TLEMAN 2GAN *ATT+ )
ME1 -PLI;T+ ME ON MY LOVELY *N4 ,HE
9TRODUC$ HMF Z A NEW P>I%ION] :O 0 FEEL+
L"OLY & NO/ALGIC = 8 GR[N-UP *N :O 7 AB-
S5T ON ? ,EA/] ,SUN"D4 ,! IRONIC SYMBOL-
ISM (! MO;T HIT ME4 ,"H /OOD A ,*RI/IAN1
R1*+ \ 6A ,MUSLIM :OM HE P]CVD 6BE A
*UR* 9SID]1 A FELL[ ,*RI/IAN4 ,I DID N
4ABUSE HM ( ? NO;N4 ,SMIL+ POLITELY1 ,I
LEFT MY ,EA/] ,SUN"D EXP]I;E ) PL5TY (
FOOD = ?"\ 6%>E ) ,SUZANNE & ,PRISCILLA
AT \R NEXT FAI? CLUB MEET+4

,SUZANNE3 ,NO "O WD H 8\T$ Y0 AT MY
  *UR*1 ,RANYA4 ,!Y J ASK NON-      #AEE
  ,*RI/IANS N 6/EP =W>D 6RCV -MUNION4
,PRISCILLA3 ,T MO;T ( -MUNION IS ALW
  AWKW>D = ,JEWS TOO1 ,RANYA4 ,I C RE-
  MEMB] SITT+ 9 MY PEW AT _M S]VICES1
  FEEL+ EXTREMELY ,JEWI% :ILE MY ,*RIS-
  TIAN FRS L9$ UP 6TAKE -MUNION4
,RANYA3 ,YES4 ,T'S :5 ,I FELT MY ,MUSLIM
  ID5T;Y REASS]T XF4
,SUZANNE3 ,& PROBABLY :5 Y R1LIZ$ Y
  W]5'T AB 63V]T4 ,H Y "E ?"\ ( 3V]T+1
  ,PRISCILLA8
,PRISCILLA3 ,NO4 ,I ?9K T ,JEWS FEEL AN
  OBLIG,N 6BE ,JEWS4 ,"! >E S FEW ( U4
,SUZANNE3 ,& :AT DOES X M1N = Y 6BE
  ,JEWI%8
,PRISCILLA3 ,X'S L A TRIBAL ?+4
,RANYA3 ,I'VE HE>D T 2F1 & ,I DON'T "U/&
  X4
,PRISCILLA3 ,"!'S AN EXPRES.N ,JEWS USE1
  LAU<+LY1 8,M4,O4,T40 ,X /&S = ,MEMB]
  (! ,TRIBE4
,SUZANNE3 ,S X'S A LOYALTY 6ANCE/ORS8
,PRISCILLA3 ,YES1 &= ME1 X'S PRIM>ILY TO
  MY "F4 ,MY "M 0 A ,JEW 0BIR?1 B %E
  EXPLOR$ ,BU4HISM & E K9D ( ,NEW   #AEF
  ,AGE !RAPY4 ,MY "F 0 ! "O :O 9SI/$ WE
  G 6TEMPLE4 ,:5 ,I SIT 9 TEMPLE N[ LIS-
  T5+ 6! PRAY]S & S;GS1 ,I FEEL MY "F'S
  PRES;E 9 ! V BE/ WAY4

    ,PRISCILLA3
  ,MY "F HAS ALW BE5 ! L9K 6MY 2LIEFS &
TRADI;NS Z A ,JEW4 ,AF ALL1 HE 0 ! "O :O
URG$ ME 6G 6TEMPLE 9 MY Y\? & 5ROLL$ ME
9 ,HEBREW "D S*OOL4 ,WE CELEBRAT$ ,PASS-
OV] &! ,HI< ,HOLI"DS AT 8 "M'S H\SE :5
,I 0 GR[+ UP4 ,& Z ,I GREW OLD]1 ,JEWI%
TRADI;NS & RITUALS 7 (T5 WAYS 9 : ,I
FELT 3NECT$ 6MY "F4
  ,MY "F ALW /RESS$ ! NE$ = ,JEWS 6MA9-
TA9 _! RELIGI\S ID5T;Y4 ,HE 0 A ,JEW ON
8 [N T]MS1 : M1NT T HE LOV$ BACON B AL
SP5T "T /UDY+ ! ,TALMUD4 ,& HE IM"P$
BITS ( ,JEWI% WISDOM & TRADI;NS 6HIS *N
Z HE DID "EY?+ ELSE 9 LIFE--IN UNCONV5-
;NAL WAYS4
  ,DUR+ "O (! MO/ DI6ICULT P]IODS ( 8
LIFE1 :5 8 BUSI;S 0 GO+ BANKRUPT1 MY "F
US$ 6DRIVE UP 6,BO/ON 6/UDY ! ,TALMUD )A
RA2I HE GRTLY ADMIR$4 ,HE N"E %>$   #AEG
TOO M* AB ! 3V]S,NS HE _H ) ? MAN1 B ,I
KNEW T MY "F 0 WRE/L+ 6D ! "R ?+ 0HIS
CR$ITORS1 /UDY+ ANCI5T TEXTS 9 ORD] 6DE-
CIDE :AT 8 MOD]N-"D MORAL OBLIG,NS W]E4
  ,%D HE1 = EXAMPLE1 PAY ,JIMMY ! *ICK5
MAN1 A P\LTRY :OLESAL] :O'D D"O BUSI;S )
MY GR&"F = DECADES1 2F HE PD ,KRAFT
,FOODS1 A HUGE1 ANONYM\S -PANY )A /AFF (
?R1T5+ LAWY]S8 7,MY "F TOLD ME YE>S LAT]
T HE *OSE ,JIMMY ! *ICK5 MAN47
  ,MY "F ALW F.D A WAY 63NECT ) 8 *N1
EV5 9 PA9;L "TS4 ,& (T5 HE =G$ ^! 3NEC-
;NS ) ,YI4I% /ORIES 8 P>5TS _H TOLD HM4
  ,I LOV$ BE/ :AT HE CALL$ 8,! ,PAP]
,BAG ,/ORY10 : A4RESS$ ! *ALL5GES P FACE
9 LIFE1 *ALL5GES HE HMF _H FAC$4
  8,IMAG9E ?10 HE US$ 6SAY 6U4 8,TAKE YR
PRO#MS1 ALL ( !M1 F ! T9IE/1 ANNOY+ CON-
C]NS 6! MO/ HORRIFIC1 DI6ICULT *ALL5GES1
& PUT ALL ^? PRO#MS 96A BR[N PAP] BAG40
,HE'D PAUSE4 8,!N IMAG9E IF "EY"O ELSE 9
! _W TOOK ALL ( _! PRO#MS & PUT !M 96_!
[N PAP] BAGS4 ,?9K ( H[ _M BAGS "! WD
BE1 ALL PIL$ UP 96"O GIGANTIC M.TA9 (
BR[N PAP]60 ,! IMAGE 0 VIVID 6ME4   #AEH
  8,IF Y 7 TOLD T Y CD PICK ANY BAG (
PRO#MS & TAKE X HOME ) Y1 D Y ?9K Y'D
WANT "S"O ELSE'S PRO#MS80 MY "F WD ASK4
8,I DON'T ?9K S4 ,Y'D 2 SCAMP]+ L CRAZY
6F9D YR [N BAG 9 T M.TA9 ( BR[N PAP]40
  ,T[>D ! 5D ( 8 LIFE1 AF 8 BUSI;S _H
FAIL$1 8 =TUNE 0 LO/1 &! PA9 ( 8 T]M9AL
41SE 0 S BAD HE'D 2GUN TAK+ MORPH9E1 ,I
ASK$ MY "F1 8,S1 IF Y _H X 6D ALL OV]
AG1 WD Y / WANT YR [N BR[N PAP] BAG80
  ,MY "F DIDN'T HESITATE4 8,ABSOLUTELY10
HE SD4 8,YES40
  ,&! FACT T MY "F A3EPT$ ! F9AL *ALL5GE
HE'D BE5 D1LT GAVE ME ! C\RAGE LAT] 9
LIFE 6?9K T ,I MI<T 2 /R;G 5 6FACE MY [N
PAP] BAG FULL ( *ALL5GES4
  8,"S"TS 2+ A PR\D ,JEW IS "O ( ^? *AL-
L5GES10 ,I TOLD ,SUZANNE & ,RANYA4 8,S
_M P H TRI$ 6WIPE U (F ! PLANET4 ,I "K P
:O LO/ RELATIVES 9 3C5TR,N CAMPS4 ,I "K
P :O HID ,JEWS4 ,! ,HOLOCAU/ ISN'T "S?+
,I ?9K AB E MO;T1 B X IS ) ME E "D4 ,&1
"PLY 2C ( T1 ,I WD N"E TURN MY BACK ON
MY RELIGION1 ON ! ,JEWS :O CAME 2F ME4
,= ME "! IS NO *OICE4 ,I AM A       #AEI
,JEW40

,PRISCILLA3 ,DON'T Y FEEL T K9D ( TRIBAL
  3NEC;N 6YR FAI?1 ,RANYA8
,RANYA3 ,N AT ALL1 MY TRIBE TD IS !
  ,AM]ICAN TRIBE4 ,ISLAM ALL[S ANY"O TO
  2COME ,MUSLIM SIMPLY 0SAY+ ! ,%AHADA1
  OR TE/IMONY ( FAI?1 8,I 2LIEVE "! IS
  ONLY "O ,GOD1 & ,MUHAMMAD IS 8 PROPH-
  ET0 ,X HAS NO?+ 6D )A BLOOD 3NEC;N4 ,P
  C -E & G F ,ISLAM Z !Y PL1SE4 ,"! IS
  NO TRADI;N ( BAPTISM OR 3FIRM,N4 ,X'S
  PRETTY M* 2T Y & ,GOD4
,SUZANNE3 ,:AT MAKES Y /AY 9 ! ,MUSLIM
  FAI? :5 Y'VE F.D X S DI6ICULT 9 ,AM]I-
  CA TD8
,RANYA3 ,AT *UR* ! O!R "D1 ,I R1LIZ$ T
  ,I H A V ,MUSLIM "U/&+ ( :AT ,GOD IS4
,SUZANNE3 ,TELL U AB X4
,RANYA3 ,! ,GOD ,I "K "? ,ISLAM RECOG-
  NIZES ,JESUS1 ,MOSES1 &! PROPHETS 2F
  HM4
,SUZANNE3 ,*RI/IANS RECOGNIZE ,JESUS1
  ,MOSES1 &! PROPHETS 2F HM4
,RANYA3 ,MY ISSUE ) ,*RI/IAN;Y IS   #AFJ
  ! 3CEPT (! ,TR9;Y4 ,I SAW A BUMP]
  /ICK] REC5TLY T SD1 8,JESUS LOVES Y4
  ,JESUS W SAVE Y40 ,I FEEL T ,GOD W
  SAVE ME4 ,T ,JESUS DI$ = MY S9S1 ,I C
  D )\T4

    ,RANYA3
  ,L O!R P>5TS1 MY HUSB& & ,I H DEVOT$
M* 5]GY & RES\RCES 6SECUR+ = \R *N :AT
WE 2LIEVE IS 9 _! BE/ 9T]E/--! BE/ $UCA-
;N1 M$ICAL ATT5;N1 & CULTURAL & SOCIAL
EXP]I;ES--S T \R *N C R1LIZE _! POT5TIAL
Z ADULTS4 ,I _HN'T ?"\ M* AB _! RELIGI\S
ID5T;Y4 ,6ME1 "O'S RELIGION IS PRIM>ILY
AN A3ID5T ( BIR?4 ,YET1 AF #I_/AA1 ,I
2CAME 3C]N$ T \R ,MUSLIM RELIGION M1NT M
?AN T4 ,I FELT T 2+ ,MUSLIM & ,AM]ICAN
MI<T 2 M (A *ALL5GE ?AN A PRIVILEGE T MY
*N 7 9H]IT+4
  ,:5 ,I />T$ RESE>*+ ,ISLAM ,I RE,Y DID
N "K :E!R ,I CD F9D )9 X ! ANSW]S T CD
SU/A9 MY FAI? 9 X4 ,S ,I 0 ?RILL$ :5 ,I
4COV]$ ,ISLAM'S 9H]5T A6IRM,N ( P ( O!R
FAI?S4 ,I EXPLA9$ 6,SUZANNE & ,PRISCILLA
H[1 UNLIKE "S V].NS ( ,*RI/IAN;Y1   #AFA
"! IS N AN ,ISLAMIC 2LIEF T P M/ 3V]T TO
,ISLAM 9 ORD] 6BE SAV$ 0,GOD4 ,! ,QURAN
HAS A BROAD1 UNIV]SAL DEF9I;N ( 2LIEV]S4
,ISLAM HAS NO TRADI;N ( PREREQUISITE
RITUALS1 S* Z BAPTISM OR B> MITZVAHS1 T
(FICI,Y MAKE Y A ,MUSLIM4 ,X RECOGNIZES
ALL 2LIEV]S Z 8,MUSLIMS10 M1N+ ^? :O H
SUBMITT$ 6! W ( ,GOD4

  ,^? :O 2LIEVE1 ! ,JEWS1 ! ,*RI/IANS1 &
! ,SAB1NS1 ANY :O 2LIEVE 9 ,GOD &! ,LA/
,"D1 & "W "RE\S;S % H _! REW>D ) _! ,"L3
ON !M % 2 NO FE>1 NOR % !Y GRIEVE4
7#B3FB7
  ,SAY3 ,WE 2LIEVE 9 ,GOD & :AT IS RE-
V1L$ 6U2 9 T : 0 REV1L$ 6,ABRAHAM & ,I%-
MAEL1 6,ISAAC & ,JACOB &! TRIBES2 & T :
_! ,"L GAVE ,MOSES & ,JESUS &! PROPHETS4
,WE 4CRIM9ATE AG/ N"O ( !M4 ,6HM WE SUB-
MIT4 7#C3HD7

  ,ISLAM1 ,I QKLY LE>N$1 DIDN'T SEE XF Z
A NEW RELIGION B Z A 3T9U,N (! ,ABRAHAM-
IC FAI? TRADI;N4 ,"S"O SD T IF ,MUHAMMAD
SAW ALL ! DI6]5T RELIGIONS T EXI/   #AFB
TD1 9CLUD+ ,BU4HISM & ,3FUCIANISM1 HE WD
SAY T !Y'RE ALL ORIG9,Y ,ISLAM4 ,EV5 )9
! ,QURAN ,I 0 A# 6F9D V]SES SUPPORT+ ?
PLURALI/IC1 UNIV]SAL APPROA* 6,GOD4 ,AC
6! ,QURAN1 DIV]S;Y 9 HUMAN FAI? TRADI-
;NS1 CULTURES1 & RACE IS "P ( ,GOD'S
9T5D$ DESIGN4

  ,AM;G 8 SIGNS IS ! CRE,N (! ,H1V5S &!
,E>?1 &! DIV]S;Y ( YR T;GUES & COLORS4
,9 T SURELY >E SIGNS = ^? :O POSSESS K4
7#CJ3BC7

  ,"U/&+ ,ISLAM'S 3NEC;N 6,JUDAISM &
,*RI/IAN;Y /IRR$ 9 ME A RENEW$ 9T]E/ &
-MIT;T 6! FAI? ,I _H 9H]IT$ F MY P>5TS &
GR&P>5TS4 ,! ,QURAN 0 A# 6FULFILL MY NE$
=A ,GOD :O WD N & CD N L1VE A P 2H1 = X
SPECIFIC,Y 3FIRMS T ALL N,NS 7 S5T
PROPHETS & APO/LES 7#CE3BD71 T "! IS 8NO
-PUL.N 9 RELIGION0 7#AJ3AJJ71 & T 0AC-
CEPT+ ,MUHAMMAD Z A PROPHET Y >E 3FIRM+
& A6IRM+ ALL ^? PROPHETS T 7 S5T 2F HM4
  ,9 XS BE/ R1D+1 ,ISLAM IS EGALIT>IAN &
A3ESSI#4 ,X IS A RELIGION T TRIES   #AFC
6SIMPLIFY1 6D AWAY ) POMP & CIRCUM/.E4
,T'S :Y MOSQUES >E N ORNATE4 ,!Y >E USU-
,Y GEOMETRIC & AU/]E4 ,T "WS = ME4 ,X'S
LESS 4TRACT+4 ,ANO!R /R5G? ( ,ISLAM1 &
XS W1K;S1 IS T Y DON'T H 6RELY ON AN OR-
DA9$ CL]GY 69T]PRET ! ,QURAN4 ,Y C PRET-
TY M* R1D X & H YR [N P]SONAL "U/&+ &
REL,N%IP ) ,GOD4 ,? IS ESPECI,Y TRUE =
,SUNNI OR OR?ODOX ,ISLAM1 T HAS NO RELI-
GI\S HI]>*Y T ACTS Z AN 9T]M$I>Y 6,GOD4
  ,! ,GOD T ,I 0 2G9N+ 6APPRECIATE &
RECOGNIZE Z ! ,MUSLIM ,GOD1 "? MY [N
R1D+ & RESE>* (! ,QURAN1 _H A 4T9CTLY
UNIV]SAL1 A3ESSI#1 EV5 MOD]N S5SIBIL;Y4
,? APP1L$ 6ME M ?AN ! ,JEWI% ,GOD1 :O
APPE>$ 6BE AVAILA# ONLY "? A 3NEC;N TO
,JUDAISM'S ,TWELVE ,TRIBES1 OR 6! ,*RIS-
TIAN ,GOD1 :O SEEM$ 6(F] SALV,N ONLY "?
,JESUS4
  ,! "Q 0 WD ,I 2 A# 6H ? ,GOD SUPPORT$
& SU/A9$ \TSIDE MY P]SONAL R1D+S & "? !
=MAL RELIGI\S SUPPORT (A ,MUSLIM CL]IC
OR MOSQUE8
  ,Z ,PRISCILLA1 ,SUZANNE1 & ,I 3T9U$ \R
4CUS.NS1 WE 7 N ONLY TALK+ AB       #AFD
?REE DI6]5T RELIGIONS1 B WE 7 AL TALK+
AB ?REE P]SONAL & 5TIRELY DI6]5T REL,N-
%IPS ) \R [N RELIGIONS4 ,AT T "T1 ,I
TOLD ,PRISCILLA & ,SUZANNE T X (T5 FELT
L ,I _H FAI? B NO RELIGION1 T ,PRISCILLA
_H RELIGION B NO FAI?1 & T ,SUZANNE _H
BO?4

,RANYA3 ,:Y >E Y A ,*RI/IAN1 ,SUZANNE8
,SUZANNE3 ,9ITI,Y 2C ,I 0 BORN T WAY4 ,B
  ,I /AY 9 ! FAI? 2C ,I AM A FOLL[] (
  ,JESUS4 ,HE 0 A BETT] ROLE MODEL ?AN !
  PROPHETS (! ,OLD ,TE/A;T & ,MUHAMMAD4
  ,HE 0 A P]FECT EXAMPLE ( LOVE1 *>;Y1 &
  HUMIL;Y1 UNLIKE ,MOSES & ,MUHAMMAD :O
  7 BO? FLAW$ M54
,RANYA3 ,MUSLIMS 2LIEVE ,MUHAMMAD _H A
  DI6]5T CALL+ ?AN ,JESUS4 ,HE MADE NO
  CLAIMS 6BE P]FECT4 ,WE >E SUPPOS$ 6EM-
  ULATE HM1 B HE DOESN'T PROCLAIM ,GOD-L
  P]FEC;N4 ,HE 0 A L1D] (A -PLICAT$ -MU-
  N;Y4 ,HE 0 A HUSB&1 "F1 & /ATESMAN4 ,&
  X IS SPECIFIC,Y ,MUHAMMAD'S A3ESSI#
  HUMAN;Y1 Z OPPOS$ 6,JESUS' DIV9;Y1 T
  MAKES HM A ROLE MODEL4 ,Z A       #AFE
  /ATESMAN1 ,MUHAMMAD _H 6TACKLE R1L IS-
  SUES1 SOCIAL & POLITICAL PRO#MS1 ?+S
  ,JESUS N"E _H 6TACKLE4 ,HE MADE LAWS
  PROMOT+ SOCIAL JU/ICE & HUMAN "RS4 ,Z
  A MILIT>Y L1D] HE TRI$ 6DEVELOP CODES
  ( JU/ICE & E?ICS T WD GOV]N ACTS ( W>4
,SUZANNE3 ,Y'RE "R4 ,JESUS' ROLE ON E>?
  0 DI6]5T F T4 ,HE PR1*$ LOVE & HUMIL-
  ;Y1 & HE TURN$ ! O!R *EEK "R UP UNTIL
  8 D1?4 ,IF WE ALL 2HAV$ T WAY1 "! WD 2
  A LOT M P1CE ON E>?4 ,& T'S "O (! REA-
  SONS ,I ?9K ,*RI/IAN;Y IS ! BE/ RELI-
  GION4
,PRISCILLA3 ,SUZANNE1 DID Y J SAY T Y
  ?"\ ,*RI/IAN;Y 0 ! BE/ RELIGION8
,SUZANNE3 ,I M1NT 6SAY T X 0 ! BE/ RELI-
  GION = ME4
,RANYA3 ,I C SEE :Y Y ADMIRE ,JESUS S
  M*1 B ,I ?9K T ,*RI/IAN;Y TD IS ONLY A
  BETT] RELIGION 2C X'S _H ! "T 6EVOLVE4
  ,X HAS BE5 ! DOM9ANT RELIGION 9 PLACES
  ": "!'S FREE SPEE* & CIVIL LIB]TIES4
  ,T IS A HUGE ADVANTAGE1 ESPECI,Y :5 Y
  3TRA/ X ) ,ISLAM1 : IS PREDOM9ANTLY A
  RELIGION (! DEVELOP+ _W4          #AFF

    ,SUZANNE3
  ,MY 3FID;E T ,*RI/IAN;Y 0 A SUP]IOR
RELIGION 6,JUDAISM & ,ISLAM 0 /R5G!N$
DUR+ \R F/ MON?S ( MEET+S Z ,I LI/5$ TO
,PRISCILLA & ,RANYA 4CUSS _! D\BTS &
4COM=T AB _! FAI?S4 ,PRISCILLA CALL$ H]F
A ,JEW1 ?\< %E DIDN'T "K IF %E 2LIEV$ 9
,GOD4 ,H[ /RANGE1 ,I ?"\4 ,IF ,I DIDN'T
2LIEVE 9 ,GOD ,I WDN'T WALK >.D CALL+
MYF A ,*RI/IAN4 ,RANYA 2LIEV$ 9 "S?+1 B
N ! REAC;N>Y1 POLITICAL ,ISLAM T _M REC-
OGNIZ$ Z ! ONLY ,ISLAM4
  ,I ?"\ "! M/ 2 "S?+ WR;G ) ,JUDAISM &
,ISLAM IF !Y W]5'T A# 6RELIEVE ,RANYA'S
& ,PRISCILLA'S ANXIETIES4 ,*RI/IAN;Y M/
2 A BETT] VEHICLE = 3NECT+ ) ,GOD1 ,I
R1SON$4 ,I WOND]$ :E!R ,PRISCILLA &
,RANYA WD EV5TU,Y -E 6T VIEW4
  ,AT ! SAME "T1 H["E1 ,I FELT SELF-
3SCI\S AB MY FAI?4 ,AT "TS ,I FELT T BO?
,PRISCILLA & ,RANYA "*IZ$ 2LIEV]S & ^?
:O "PICIPAT$ 9 ! RITUALS (A -MUN;Y (
FAI? Z FOLL[]S :O 7 UNA# 6?9K CRITIC,Y4
  ,9 MY OP9ION1 ,I _H ?"\ CRITI-    #AFG
C,Y AB MY RELIGION4 ,I _H BE5 RAIS$ A
,CA?OLIC1 B _H MADE ! DECI.N 6SWIT* 6!
,EPISCOPAL ,*UR*4 ,T DECI.N 0 N EASILY
A3EPT$ 0MY P>5TS4 ,X TOOK A FEW YE>S 2F
!Y WD JO9 U 9 \R NEW *UR*4 ,9/1D !Y WD G
6A ,CA?OLIC S]VICE AT \R OLD P>I%1 :ILE
MY [N FAMILY W5T 6! ,EPISCOPAL S]VICE AT
\R NEW "O4 ,AT LA/ MY MOM CAME 6A ,SUN"D
S]VICE AT \R *UR* 2C %E WANT$ 6SEE MY *N
S+ 9 ! *OIR4 ,S9CE T "T1 MY P>5TS H JO9$
U :5"E !Y H VISIT$4
  ,S :Y DID MY HUSB& & ,I 3V]T8 ,WE 7
TURN$ (F 0UN9SPIR+ ,SUN"D S]MONS1 0!
,CA?OLIC ,*UR*'S 3S]VATIVE POSI;NS ON
SOCIAL ISSUES1 & 0XS RIGID;Y4 ,WE _H SE5
! RULE-MAK+ CULTURE & 9FLEXIBIL;Y (!
*UR* L1D P1 9CLUD+ MY HUSB& & ME1 62HAVE
ILLOGIC,Y 9 ORD] 6SATISFY *UR* RULES4 ,A
PRIME EXAMPLE 0 \R W$D+4
  ,MY HUSB& & ,I _H WANT$ 6GET M>RI$ 9
AN EI<TE5?-C5TURY MEET+H\SE 9 A ,NEW
,HAMP%IRE VILLAGE4 ,! ,CA?OLIC PRIE/1
H["E1 9SI/$ T WE M>RY 9 ! ,CA?OLIC
,*UR*4 ,AF ALL1 BO? ( U 7 ,CA?OLIC4 ,IF
"O ( U _H N BE5 ,CA?OLIC1 ! RULES   #AFH
WD H ALL[$ HM 6M>RY U 9 ! MEET+H\SE4 ,X
SEEM$ 6U L TYPICAL ,CA?OLIC R1SON+4
  ,\R SOLU;N 0 6GET M>RI$ TWICE4 ,ON !
"D ( \R W$D+1 ,I PUT ON MY :ITE DRESS &
GOT M>RI$ AT "O O'C 9 ! ,CA?OLIC ,*UR* 9
FRONT ( \R FAMILIES4 ,!N WE PROCE$$ D[N
6! MEET+H\SE1 ": A FR :O 0 A ,PRESBYT]I-
AN M9I/] M>RI$ U 2F ALL ! RE/ ( \R GUE/S
AT ?REE O'C4 ,ONLY A FEW P KNEW WE _H
ALR MADE \R V[S & SIGN$ ! M>RIAGE 3TRACT
AT ! O!R 5D ( ,MA9 ,/REET4
  ,! MALE DOM9.E (! ,CA?OLIC ,*UR* AL
BO!R$ ME4 ,I 2LIEVE WOM5 >E Z CAPA# Z M5
6S]VE Z PRIE/S4 ,9 FACT1 ,I ?9K !Y >E
BETT] SUIT$ 9 "S RESPECTS4 ,I AL 2LIEVE
T CELIBACY DOES N NECESS>ILY MAKE A P]-
SON M HOLY4 7,WIT;S ! P$OPHILIA AM;G
,CA?OLIC PRIE/S47 ,HUMANS NE$ ! LOVE &
T\* ( O!R HUMANS4 ,&A M>RI$ PRIE/ IS A#
6BE EMPA!TIC 6! FAMILY EXP]I;ES ( ^? 9 8
OR H] 3GREG,N4
  ,F9,Y1 = ALL ! P ,I "K :O CALL !MVS
,CA?OLIC1 FEW FOLL[ ALL ! ,*UR*'S T1*+S
ON ISSUES L BIR? 3TROL1 ABOR;N1
HOMOSEXUAL;Y1 & EV5 MASS ATT5D.E4   #AFI
,I C'T ?9K (A ,CA?OLIC ,I "K 9 MY G5],N
:O GOES 6*UR* E ,SUN"D4 ,AC 6! ,CA?OLIC
,*UR*1 T'S S9;L4 ,I CAME 6WOND]1 :AT 0 !
PO9T ( 2+ LOYAL 6A RELIGION ( MY P>5TS
IF ,I DID S HYPOCRITIC,Y8
  ,MY HUSB& & ,I F.D ! ,EPISCOPAL ,*UR*
LESS RIGID 9 XS DOCTR9E4 ,X ALL[S WOM5
62COME PRIE/S4 ,Y DON'T H 6ATT5D MASS E
,SUN"D4 ,Y DON'T H 62LIEVE T ! BR1D &
W9E AT -MUNION ACTU,Y 2COME ! BODY &
BLOOD ( ,JESUS4 ,& F9,Y1 EA* P>I% HAS XS
[N REPRES5TATIVE DEMOCRACY4 ,WE ELECT A
VE/RY1 : IS A# 6HIRE & FIRE ! P>I%'S
PRIE/S4 ,T WAY WE C 5SURE T \R PRIE/S
FIT \R 3GREG,N4 ,9 ! ,CA?OLIC ,*UR*1
PRIE/S >E ASSIGN$ 6EA* P>I% 0! BI%OP4
,*UR* MEMB]S H NO SAY 9 ! MATT]4
  ,I FELT V -=TA# AT \R NEW ,EPISCOPAL
*UR*4 ,I ?"\ ,I _H F.D ! BE/ 3GREG,N &!
BE/ RELIGION4 ,9 FACT1 ,I WOND]$ :E!R
,PRISCILLA1 :O 0 LACK+ 9 FAI?1 & ,RANYA1
:O LACK$ A RELIGI\S -MUN;Y1 WD SOON L;G
=! _SUAL -=T & 5LI<T5$ DOCTR9E (! ,EPIS-
COPAL ,*UR*1 TOO4
                                    #AGJ
























             ,,*APT] ,,SEV5         #AGA
         ,OH1 ,": ,>E ,Y1 ,GOD8

    ,PRISCILLA
  ,I 0 OV]:ELM$ ) SAD;S & WORRY :5 ,I
WALK$ 96,SUZANNE'S A"P;T "O MORN+4 ,MY
"Y] SI/]1 :O LIVES 9 ,CALI=NIA1 _H J BE5
DIAGNOS$ ) BR1/ C.ER4 ,T 0 4TURB+ 5\<1 B
X 0 MADE M UPSETT+ 0! FACT T %E _H BE5
SU6]+ = EI<T YE>S )A R>E LUNG 41SE4
,%E'D TAK5 HI< DOSES ( /]OIDS = ^? EI<T
YE>S1 & 2T H] ILL;S &! /]OIDS1 H] 5TIRE
IMMUNE SY/EM 0 IMPAIR$4 ,%E _H 63T5D )
KIDNEY PRO#MS1 ?YROID PRO#MS1 CIRCULATO-
RY PRO#MS1 ALL]GIES1 & HI< BLOOD PRES-
SURE AT ! SAME "T T %E RCVD H] C.ER DI-
AGNOSIS4
  ,MY SI/] _H J "UG"O A LUMPECTOMY1 &
TE/S DET]M9$ T C.ER _H SPR1D 6TWO LYMPH
NODES4 ,I _H BE5 CRY+ ON & (F = "DS1 : 0
UNLIKE ME4 ,ANXIETY & PANIC 7 MY USUAL
REAC;NS 6LIFE /RESSES1 B ,I FELT S SAD =
MY SI/] & ALL %E'D _H 65DURE & WD 2 =C$
65DURE 9 ! FUTURE4 ,I 0 HAV+ A H>D "T
"U/&+ & A3EPT+ ! FACT T MY [N LIFE _H
BE5 B.S$LY FREE ( ANY SEV]E H1L?    #AGB
PRO#MS4
  8,": >E Y1 ,GOD80 ,I KEPT WOND]+4 8,>E
Y GO+ 6TAKE C>E ( MY SI/]8 ,D Y H A PLAN
,I DON'T "K AB8 ,>E Y RUNN+ ? %[8 ,IS
ANY"O RUNN+ ? %[80
  8,:Y HAS MY SI/] BE5 GIV5 S _M *AL-
L5GES80 ,I ASK$ ,SUZANNE Z %E BR"\ ME A
GLASS ( WAT] & PLAC$ A TRAY ( FRUIT1
*EESE1 BR1D1 & COOKIES ON ! C(FEE TA# 2T
U4 ,RANYA 0 RUNN+ LATE1 S WE 2GAN \R
MEET+ )\T H]4
  8,X'S H>D 6A3EPT T LIFE IS S UNFAIR10
,SUZANNE AGRE$4 8,I H A "Y C\S9 :O J BE-
CAME A "M1 & %E IS FI<T+ C.ER1 TOO4 ,X'S
HE>TBR1K+40
  8,H[ D ^! /RU7LES 5D80 ,I ASK$4
  8,I HOPE !Y 5D ) ,GOD = MO/ P40
  8,JEWS DON'T H ! PROMISE ( AN AFLIFE10
,I SD1 TE>Y-EY$4
  ,SUZANNE & ,I TALK$ AB H[ P LIVE )
C.ER N[A"DS1 (T5 = YE>S1 B H[ M* !Y SU6]
"S"TS 9 ! PROCESS4 ,I REV1L$ M AB MY
SI/]'S 3DI;N4 ,SUZANNE LI/5$4 ,& "U/OOD4
  8,:Y DOES ,GOD ALL[ PA9 & SU6]+ TO
EXI/80 ,I WOND]$ AL\D4              #AGC
  ,SUZANNE DIDN'T H A GLIB ANSW]4 ,B %E
DID V5TURE AN EXPLAN,N4 8,? S.DS A LL
SIMPLE1 B ,I ?9K IF WE DIDN'T "K ILL;S1
WE WDN'T RE,Y FEEL ! EXHIL>,N ( GD H1L?4
,& IF WE N"E CRI$1 WE WDN'T 2 A# 6RECOG-
NIZE JOY4 ,9 A WAY1 ! GD ONLY GA9S VALUE
:5 X IS 3TRA/$ )! BAD40
  ,I FELT NUMB4 ,I 0 TIR$ F ! CRY+ ,I'D
D"O SPORADIC,Y T MORN+ ON MY DRIVE 96!
C;Y4 8,I H J DECID$ 6SURR5D] 6A HI<] P[-
]10 ,I F9,Y SD4 ,I'D SPOK5 ^? SAME ^WS
6A C\PLE ( O!R P T WEEK4 ,N[ ,I 0 TRY+
!M \ AG ON ,SUZANNE4 ,I WASN'T SURE :AT
,I M1NT 0A 8HI<] P[]40 ,B ,I KNEW ,I _H
6SURR5D]4 ,I CD N 3TROL ! \TCOME ( MY
SI/]'S ILL;S4
  ,I FELT A BIT BETT] AF MY 3V]S,N )
,SUZANNE4 ,I _H 3NECT$ ) H] 9 A DEEP1
P]SONAL WAY T ,I N"E _H 2F4 ,I'D BE5
BRUIS$ 0\R 8CRUCIFIXION CRISIS0 B N[
,I'D BE5 H1L$ 0H] G5]OS;Y & -PAS.N4
  ,SUZANNE _H REF]R$ E>LY ON 9 \R REL,N-
%IP 6H] SI/]'S SU45 D1?1 &! PA9 X CAUS$
H] & H] FAMILY1 B %E _H N G"O 9TO
SPECIFICS4 ,N[ ,I FELT -=TA# BR++   #AGD
UP ! SUBJECT4
  8,H[ EXACTLY DID YR SI/] DIE80 ,I ASK$
QUIETLY1 WIP+ AWAY TE>S4
  ,SUZANNE TOLD ME ! DETAILS1 & ,I ?"\ X
0 G5]\S ( H] 6RELIVE ! PA9 ( H] SI/]'S
D1? 9 ORD] 6HELP ME4 ,SUZANNE1 ,RANYA1 &
,I 7 2COM+ FRS1 ,I R1LIZ$4 ,AL? WE US$
\R "T TGR E6ICI5TLY1 FOCUS+ ON \R "W AT
H&1 LIFE EV5TS "S"TS 9T]V5$ & CAME 6!
=EFRONT ( \R 3V]S,NS1 Z !Y DID ON ? "D4

    ,SUZANNE3
  ,PRISCILLA'S SAD;S T "D REOP5$ A T5D]
W.D = ME4 ,MY ONLY SI/]1 ,KRI/91 _H BE5
KILL$ 9 A C> A3ID5T F\R YE>S E>LI]4 ,MY
FAMILY 0 / RECOV]+ & PROBABLY ALW WD BE4
8,X 0 DEVA/AT+10 ,I TOLD ,PRISCILLA4 8,B
9 MY GRIEF1 ,I FELT ,GOD M ?AN AT ANY
O!R "T 9 MY LIFE4 ,"? ? TRAG$Y1 ,KRI/9
GAVE ME A PRICE.S GIFT--FAI? 9 ,GOD40
  ,! NI<T MY SI/] DI$1 MY BRO!R CALL$ ME
F ! HOSPITAL1 ) PANIC 9 8 VOICE4 ,"O ?\-
S& MILES AWAY1 ,I _H A DI6ICULT "T
GRASP+ ! SEV];Y ( ,KRI/9'S 9JURIES4 ,]IC
PUT A NURSE ON ! PH"O1 :O TOLD ME   #AGE
T MY SI/]'S 3DI;N 0 8CODE BLUE40 ,MAYBE
,I DIDN'T WAT* 5 .,,ER1 B ,I DIDN'T "K
:AT 8CODE BLUE0 M1NT4 8,H[ S]I\S IS T80
,I ASK$4
  8,WELL1 X'S CODE BLUE10 ! NURSE AN-
SW]$4
  8,I DON'T "K :AT T M1NS10 ,I P]SI/$4
,B ! T"O ( H] VOICE & H] EVASIVE;S TOLD
ME :AT ,I DIDN'T WANT 6HE>4 8,D P RECOV]
F CODE BLUE80 ,I ASK$4
  8,"S"TS10 %E SD4
  ,A HE>T SURGEON & TWO O!R DOCTORS MAS-
SAG$ MY SI/]'S HE>T1 TRY+ 6GET X 6/>T
AG4 ,B X 0 S BADLY BRUIS$ F ! IMPACT :5
%E HIT ! DA%BO>D T X WD N PUMP AG4 8,2C
%E IS S "Y & H1L?Y1 WE 7 HOPE;L4 ,WE
CALL$ 9 ! C>DIAC SPECIALI/ & DID ABSO-
LUTELY "EY?+ WE CD4 ,B X DIDN'T "W10 !
EM]G5CY ROOM DOCTOR TOLD ME LAT] T NI<T4
,KRI/9 0 D1D4
  ,HALF AN H\R LAT]1 Z ,I LAY 9 B$1 ,I
FELT MY SI/] PASS+ "? MY ROOM Z IF 6SAY
GD-BYE4 ,X 0 L A TREMBL+1 B NO?+ RE,Y
MOV$4 ,I P]CVD X "? A S5SE ,I C'T EV5
DESCRIBE4 ,B %E 0 ) ME AT T MO;T4   #AGF
,& !N ,I KNEW T "S _SUAL "P ( H] _H SUR-
VIV$ T CRA%4 ,I PRAY$ ) ALL MY HE>T T H]
_S 0 ON XS WAY 6,GOD4
  ,! 3VIC;N T ,KRI/9'S _S _H VISIT$ ME
DIDN'T MAKE H] D1? ANY EASI] 6H&LE4 ,"!
7 "DS ( %OCK1 DUR+ : ,I CDN'T EAT OR ?9K
AB ANY?+ ELSE4 ,I REMEMB] SITT+ "U A
TREE 9 MY P>5TS' FRONT Y>D TWO "DS AF MY
SI/] 0 KILL$4 ,MY SEV5-MON?-OLD SON
,?OMAS 0 /RET*$ ACR MY LAP4 ,Z ,I F$ HM
A BOTTLE1 ,I M>VEL$ AT 8 P]FECT SK91
HAIR1 & EYES4 ,! MO;T SEEM$ S CRUEL4 ,H[
CD ,I SAVOR ! B1UTY ( MY * & PROCESS !
DEVA/,N ( MY SI/]'S D1? AT ! SAME "T8 ,X
0 TOO M*4 8,N[ Y H A GU>DIAN ANGEL10 ,I
:ISP]$ 6,?OMAS1 & ,I CRI$ = MY SI/]1 8
GOD"M :OM HE WD N"E "K4
  ,I 0 FURI\S AT ,GOD4 ,AT MY P>5TS'
H\SE1 ,I LAY 9 MY *ILDHOOD B$ & S"M$ MY
SCR1MS )A PILL[4 ,A ,CA?OLIC PRIE/ F MY
P>5TS' P>I% CAME E "D :ILE ,I 0 "!4 ,HE
0 BIG & K9D4 ,I TOOK -=T 9 BO? ATTRI-
BUTES4 ,"SH[ X SEEM$ HE CD PROP U UP4
,MY FAMILY & ,I PRAY$ ) HM 9 \R LIV+
ROOM4 ,B Z ,I PRAY$ =! S\L ( MY     #AGG
SI/]1 ! RAGE AT ! UNFAIR;S ( S* A %ORT
LIFE TOOK OV]4 ,I SCR1M$ & CRI$4 ,X 0
TOO CRUEL = H] 6DIE AT AGE TW5TY-SEV54
  ,YET1 GRADU,Y1 ,I 2GAN 6RECOGNIZE !
GRACE ( ,GOD 9 ^? >.D ME4 ,I SAW ! MO/
EXTRAORD9>Y EXAMPLE ( DIV9E GRACE 9 MY
P>5TS4 ,9 _! GRIEF1 !Y 7 A# 6(F] -PAS.N
& =GIVE;S 6MY SI/]'S FR :O _H BE5 DRIV+
! C> T EV5+4 ,I AL FELT ,GOD 9 ! EMBRACE
( MY HUSB&1 ! C\RAGE ( MY BRO!RS &! S9-
C]E HUGS1 H&%AKES1 & GD WI%ES ( FRS &
FAMILY :O R1*$ \ 6U4
  ,AT ,KRI/9'S WAKE & FUN]AL1 ,GOD GAVE
-=T 6\R FAMILY "? HUNDR$S ( P4 ,!Y CAME
=W>D F A L9E T LAC$ ALL ! WAY >.D !
*UR*4 ,"S P WAIT$ AN H\R OR M 6-E 9SIDE
DUR+ ! WAKE4 ,"! 7 AL FL[]S1 LRS1 PH"O
CALLS1 & GIFTS4 ,I 2LIEV$ X 0 ! GRACE (
,GOD 9 ALL ( ^! P T MOV$ !M 6(F] \R S\LS
-=T DUR+ ! TRAG$Y4
  ,T AW>E;S ( ,GOD'S PRES;E & MY NE$ =
-=T AF ,KRI/9'S D1? L$ ME 6RENEW MY SE>*
=A *UR* HOME 9 ,NEW ,YORK4 ,AF TRY+ S"E-
AL1 MY HUSB& & ,I F.D & JO9$ ,/4 ,JAMES'
,*UR*1 ": ,I 5ROLL$ 9 A GRIEF       #AGH
GR\P 6HELP ME SORT "? MY SAD;S & ANG]
FOLL[+ MY SI/]'S D1?4

    ,PRISCILLA3
  ,Z ,I LI/5$ 6,SUZANNE ,I FELT T ,I 0 9
! PRES;E ( "S"O ) DEEP FAI? :O _H D1LT )
SU6]+ & LOSS 9 A WAY T ,I CDN'T4 ,I 0 A
BIT 5VI\S ( ,SUZANNE'S /R;G 2LIEF 9
,GOD4 ,I WI%$ X WD RUB (F ON ME4 ,I WI%$
,I CD 2LIEVE T ,GOD WD GET ME & MY SI/]
"? ! UPCOM+ MON?S T ,I KNEW WD 2 S *AL-
L5G+4
  ,:5 ,RANYA >RIV$1 ,I FILL$ H] 9 ON MY
SI/]'S 3DI;N1 & H] EYES REGI/]$ ! 3C]N &
SYMPA?Y ,I NE$$4 ,%E ASK$ AB MY SI/]'S
TR1T;T & 5C\RAG$ ME 6TAKE C>E ( MYF Z ,I
T5D$ 6H]4
  8,I DON'T "K IF ,I C H&LE ?10 ,I CON-
FESS$1 GETT+ TE>Y AG4
  ,& !N ,I DECID$ 6%>E ) ,RANYA & ,SU-
ZANNE ! S\RCE ( MY BI7E/ D\BTS & FE>S4
  8,I'M N "S"O :O H&LES /RESS V WELL10
,I 3FESS$4 8,I'M BASIC,Y LIV+ 9 A /ATE (
L[-GRADE PANIC4 ,A /ATE ,I'VE LIV$ 9 ALL
MY LIFE1 ESS5TI,Y40                 #AGI
  ,I GREW UP 9 AN UNCONV5;NAL H\SEHOLD1
,I EXPLA9$4 ,MY "M 0 AN >TI/ :O HELD
DR1M ANALYSIS "W%OPS 9 \R BASE;T E WEEK1
%UNN+ ,,PTA MEET+S = GA!R+S ( L-M9D$
FREE _SS4 ,9 8 =TIES1 MY "F 0 DIAGNOS$ Z
A 8MILD0 7IN 8 ^WS7 MANIC-DEPRESSIVE4
,&1 OV] ! YE>S1 C]TA9 MEMB]S ( 8 EXT5D$
FAMILY SU6]$ 8N]V\S BR1KD[NS10 : 7 :IS-
P]$ AB 2H CLOS$ DOORS4 ,!Y SP5T "T 9 & \
( M5TAL 9/ITU;NS ALL _! LIVES1 &! 3/ANT
AW>E;S ( ? 9/ILL$ 9 ME A FE> T ,I1 TOO1
WD "O "D G CRAZY1 SU6] A 8N]V\S BR1K-
D[N10 49TEGRATE 96MAD;S4
  ,? !ORY ( M9E 0 GIV5 VALID;Y 0! "O SE-
CRET ,I _H L>GELY KEPT 6MYF3 ! T]RI#1
DEBILITAT+ PANIC ATTACKS ,I'D SU6]$ F !
"T ,I 0 FIFTE5 YE>S OLD4 ,^! ATTACKS
CAME \ (! BLUE4 ,!Y />T$ Z A RU% ( ADR5-
AL9E1 A JOLT ( ELECTRIC;Y T CAUS$ MY
:OLE BODY 6%AKE4 ,MY HE>T GALLOP$2 MY
LUNGS TI<T5$ UP S BADLY T ,I FELT L MY
*E/ 0 2+ CRU%$4 ,MY ?ROAT CLOS$1 & ,I
CDN'T BR1!4 ,I GASP$ & GULP$ = AIR1 L A
FI% ON DRY L&4 ,I ?"\ ,I 0 DY+4 ,I FELT
NUTS1 SURE T ? _H N"E HAPP5$ TO     #AHJ
ANY"O ELSE 9 _! LIFE1 "E4
  ,MY F/ PANIC ATTACK _H TAK5 PLACE :ILE
,I 0 "W+ Z A WAITRESS AT ! ,BR[N ,UNIV]-
S;Y ,CAFET]IA 9 ,PROVID;E4 ,Z ,I /OOD 9
MY POLYE/] UNI=M DI%+ \ P1S1 SURR.D$ BY
/RANG]S & BA!D 9 FLUORESC5T LI<T+1 ,I
HYP]V5TILAT$ =! F/ "T4 ,I CDN'T BR1!4 ,I
CDN'T "W4 ,I CD B>ELY /A7] 6! PAY PH"O
6CALL MY P>5TS & PL1D =A RIDE HOME4 ,A
DOCTOR :O MADE H\SE CALLS EXAM9$ ME Z ,I
LAY 9 MY P>5TS' B$1 T]RIFI$1 & TOLD ME
,I 0 8J A LL BIT N]V\S40 ,HE WROTE \ A
PRESCRIP;N = ,LIBRIUM1 A TRANQUILIZ]1 &=
! NEXT ?IRTY YE>S ,I 0 LEFT WOND]+ :AT
ON E>? 0 WR;G ) ME4
  ,I SWIT*$ F ,LIBRIUM 6,VALIUM1 B !
PANIC ATTACKS 3T9U$ REG>D.S ( :AT ,I
TOOK1 ATE1 ?"\1 DID1 OR FELT4 ,I _H NO
IDEA :AT CAUS$ !M4 ,MAYBE ,I 0 M5T,Y
ILL4 ,C]TA9LY ?+S 7 \ ( 3TROL 9 MY BODY
& MY M9D4 ,I SU6]$ PANIC ATTACKS AT
NI<T1 AL"O 9 MY ROOM1 2H ! CA% REGI/] AT
MY "F'S SUP]M>KET1 9 RE/AURANTS1 9 COL-
LEGE CLASSES1 AT "W 9 V>I\S AD AG5CIES1
9 SUBWAYS1 BUSES & C>S1 EV5 AT !    #AHA
B1*4
  ,DESPITE MY W1K EMO;NAL 3/ITU;N &
LOOM+ PANIC ATTACKS1 ,I MANAG$ 6BUILD A
GD LIFE = MYF1 ) FRS & BOYFRS1 ACADEMIC
& >TI/IC SU3ESSES4 ,I MET ! LOVE ( MY
LIFE & GOT M>RI$4 ,I SURVIV$ TWO PREG-
NANCIES1 DESPITE S"EAL PANIC ATTACKS1 &
GAVE BIR? 6TWO WOND];L1 H1L?Y SONS4 ,B
,I 0 A FRAUD4 ,NOBODY KNEW ,I 0 BROK51 T
MY BODY RE>$ UP & 2TRAY$ ME ON A REGUL>
BASIS4
  8,MAYBE T'S :Y ,I H S* A H>D "T DCLG
MYF A TRUE 2LIEV] 9 ,GOD10 ,I TOLD ,SU-
ZANNE & ,RANYA4 8,MY BODY HAS ALW FELT \
( 3TROL1 : HAS MADE MY :OLE LIFE FEEL \
( 3TROL4 ,IF YR [N BODY IS 9 *AOS1 X'S
H>D 6IMAG9E A _W ( ORD]1 OR A ,GOD :O
KEEPS ?+S 9 ORD]40
  ,SUZANNE & ,RANYA DIDN'T LOOK AT ,GOD
T WAY4 ,!Y DIDN'T SEE ,GOD Z KEEP+ ! _W
9 ORD]4 8,T'S 2C Y'VE N"E FELT ! K9D (
FRANTIC *AOS )9 YR [N BODY T ,I'VE
FELT10 ,I TOLD !M4 8,Y'VE N"E L;G$ = T
ORD]40
  ,AF R1D+ A M$ICAL PAMPHLET A FR   #AHB
GAVE ME1 ,I'D L9K$ MY [N PANIC 4ORD] 6!
FACT T ,I _H MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE1 A
-MON HE>T MURMUR4 ,"S"TS A VALVE 9 MY
HE>T DIDN'T -PLETELY %UT4 ,& (T5 MY BODY
REACT$ )A 8FI<T-OR-FLI<T0 RESPONSE4 ,I'D
AL TRAC$ MY PANIC 6A NE>-D1? EXP]I;E :5
,I 0 SIXTE5 MON?S OLD & HOSPITALIZ$ )A
DANG]\SLY HI< FEV]1 3VUL.NS1 & AN ACUTE
9FEC;N4 ,A DOCTOR HAPP5$ 6F9D ME 9 S]I\S
4TRESS1 AL"O 9 MY B$ & UNA# 6BR1!4 ,HE
P]=M$ AN EM]G5CY TRA*EOTOMY ON ME "R !N
& "!4
  ,NO WOND] ,I WORRI$ AB DY+1 ,I TOLD
,SUZANNE & ,RANYA4 ,NO WOND] ,I WORRI$
N[ T ,I WD N 2 A S\RCE ( /R5G? = MY SIS-
T]4
  8,I WI% ,I 2LIEV$ 9 ,GOD10 ,I SD \ L\D
=! F/ "T4 ,NOBODY 9 MY FAMILY _H "E
TALK$ AB ,GOD4 ,N MY "F1 MY "M1 MY SI/]1
OR MY BRO!R4 ,9 TW5TY YE>S ( M>RIAGE1
,I'D _H ONLY "O TWO-M9UTE 3V]S,N ) MY
HUSB& AB ,GOD4
  ,MAYBE1 ,I R1LIZ$ Z ,I SPOKE1 ALL T 0
AB 6*ANGE4 ,AF ! ATTACKS ( #I_/AA1 ,I'D
BE5 AFRAID ,GOD DIDN'T EXI/4 ,N[1   #AHC
) MY SI/] SICK1 ,I WI%$ ) ALL MY HE>T T
,I CD 2LIEVE 9 ,GOD4 ,MAYBE ,SUZANNE &
,RANYA WD %[ ME H[4

,RANYA3 ,= ME1 :5"E ,I NE$ A6IRM,N ( MY
  FAI?1 ,I LOOK >.D ''' 6! />S1 ! MOON
  ABV '''
,SUZANNE3 ,& T'S ": Y F9D PRO( ( ,GOD8
,RANYA3 ,I GET GOOSE BUMPS & TE>S :5 ,I
  HE> RECIT,NS ( T "P (! ,QURAN T SAYS
  8,& ^? :O SAY NAY OR D5Y1 ASK !M 6LOOK
  >.D !M1 D !Y N SEE ,GOD '''0 ,ISLAM
  SEEKS 6PROVIDE EVID;E 9 ! WOND] ( NA-
  TURE4 ,X'S N SIMPLY FAI? 9 YR HE>T4 ,!
  ,ISLAMIC WAY IS3 ,"Q1 3SID]1 ?9K1 RE-
  FLECT1 & Y %D -E \ A 2LIEV]4

    ,RANYA3
  ,I 0 MOV$ & SA45$ 0,PRISCILLA'S & ,SU-
ZANNE'S PA9 & 9 "S WAYS CD RELATE 6BO?4
,"S"TS 9 MY LIFE1 ! PRES;E ( ,GOD HAS
SEEM$ IMPOSSI# 6D5Y1 & AT O!R "TS1 ,I H
FELT D\BT & ALI5,N F A ,GOD DEF9$ & MADE
AVAILA# ONLY "? =MAL RELIGION & XS
RITUALS4 ,X IS PRECISELY ! SU6]+    #AHD
& PA9 T S *ALL5G$ ,PRISCILLA'S SI/] T
MAKES ME S DESP]ATELY WANT 62LIEVE T
LIFE IS M ?AN J A %ORT VISIT 9 PREP>,N =
! UN"KN 2Y4
  ,I DESCRIB$ 6,PRISCILLA & ,SUZANNE H[
EV5 Z A * ,I L;G$ & SE>*$ = "S M1N+ 6A
LIFE T 0 2Y ! "H & N[4 ,I REMEMB] SITT+
9 ! BACKS1T ( \R FAMILY C> />+ UPW>D AT
! />RY NI<T SKY4 ,I 0 ONLY EI<T & 0 HAV+
M OR LESS EXI/5TIALI/ ?"\S4 ,I 3SID]$ MY
H&1 XS FIVE F+]S1 _! %APE & FUNC;N1 &
WOND]$ AT ,GOD'S DIV9E H& 9 \R HUMAN EN-
G9E]+4 ,0 MY H&1 MY BODY1 MY LIFE "P (
"S PREDET]M9$ DIV9E /ORY8 ,7 WE ALL GIV5
! GIFT ( LIFE 9 ORD] 6FACE _SUAL *AL-
L5GES & MORAL TE/S : ^U \R D1? MI<T S]VE
Z \R QUALIFIC,N = H1V58 ,OR1 ,GOD =BID1
HELL8
  ,OR1 ,I WOND]$1 0 MY H& A R&OM =M1 A
*.E1 N S M* "P ( ,GOD'S W1 B EV5--& ?
RE,Y SC>$ ME--AN IMAG9$ R1L;Y8 ,0 R1L;Y
\ "! )! />S1 OR EV5 9 MY DR1MS8 ,:Y DID
,GOD MAKE ME :O ,I AM8 ,& :Y AM ,I
ALIVE8
  ,Z ,I H MU4L$ MY WAY "? MY CON-   #AHE
FUS$ _SUAL /ATE1 MY HUSB& HAS (T5 TOLD
ME T ,I 0 TOO _SUAL N 62LIEVE 9 ,GOD4
,:5 ,I H D\BT1 ,I TRY 6REMEMB] ^? MO;TS
:5 ! POSSIBIL;Y ( ,GOD1 OR AT ! V L1/ A
TRANSC5D5T =CE1 HAS BE5 TOO DI6ICULT TO
D5Y4 ,A FEW 9CID5TS T -E 6M9D H 6D )
DR1MS T >E DI6ICULT 6EXPLA9 )\T A3EPT+ !
POSSIBIL;Y ( ANO!R R1LM OR =CE T 9FLU;ES
? E>?LY LIFE4
  ,I AM N "S"O :O SP5DS ANY "T 9F]R+
M1N+S F ! DETAILS ( MY R&OM DR1MS4 ,?\<
AW>E T WE ALL 5T] 9 & \ ( DI6]5T SLEEP &
DR1M CYCLES1 X IS A R>E MORN+ :5 ,I D
RECALL MY DR1MS4 ,B ! SUMM] ( MY GRADU,N
F COLLEGE1 ,I 0 PRES5T$ 0MY ROOMMATE'S
"F )A GRADU,N GIFT3 A WRI/WAT* T _H ! "N
( MY UNIV]S;Y 5GRAV$ ON XS 9N] DIAL1
8,GEORGET[N ,UNIV]S;Y40 ,"O MORN+ ,I
WOKE UP 4TRESS$ 0A VIVIDLY 4TURB+ DR1M4
,! GLASS CASE ( MY WAT* 0 CRACK$ &! LRS
T SPELL$ 8,GEORGET[N ,UNIV]S;Y0 7 SEEP+
BLOOD T1 NO MATT] :AT ,I DID 6WIPE X
AWAY ) MY ?UMB1 KEPT FL[+4 ,AF %>+ MY
DR1M ) MY "M1 :O 0 4MISSIVE ( X1 ,I DID
N GIVE X ANO!R ?"\ UNTIL AF MY      #AHF
BRO!R 0 9VOLV$ 9 A FATAL C> A3ID5T LAT]
T SAME NI<T4 ,HE & TWO PASS5G]S 9 8 C> 7
RU%$ 6,GEORGET[N ,UNIV]S;Y HOSPITAL1 ":
"O ( 8 FRS PASS$ AWAY4
  ,TWO O!R DR1MS T SEEM 6ME 6BE 3NECT$
OR 9SPIR$ 0ANO!R DIM5.N 9VOLVE MY *N4
,SOON AF MY F/ PREGNANCY 0 3FIRM$ ,I UN-
EQUIVOC,Y KNEW T ,I 0 HAV+ A GIRL1 = ,I
SAW H] Z %E WD EV5TU,Y LOOK Z A TO4L]1 )
BIG BR[N EYES &A MASS ( GOLD5 CURLS4
,E>LY 9 MY SECOND PREGNANCY ,I 0 GRTLY
4TRESS$ 2C ! SURVIVAL (! PREGNANCY 0 9
"Q4 ,"O MORN+ ,I WOKE UP ASK+ MY "M TO
-PLETE = ME ! ,QURANIC V]SE T ,I _H BE5
RECIT+ 9 MY DR1M3 8,R1D 9 ! "N ( ,GOD1 9
! "N ( ,GOD :O HAS CR1T$ MANK9D F ALAQ40
,! ^W 8ALAQ0 HAS DI6]5T M1N+S1 "O ( : IS
"S?+ T /ICKS OR GLUES4 ,MY "M & ,I TOOK
T 6M1N T ! BABY WD /AY 9 MY WOMB4 ,& IN-
DE$ ,I C>RI$ A B1UTI;L FULL-T]M BABY4
  ,"S MAY 4MISS ^! Z M]ELY 9T]E/+ O3UR-
R;ES OR AT BE/ ROMANTICIZ$ EXP]I;ES4 ,I
DON'T4 ,I HANG ON 6! IDEA ( ,GOD 2C !
ALT]NATIVE SEEMS S FUTILE4 ,ULTIMATELY1
"EY?+ SEEMS 6G BACK 6MY *ILDHOOD    #AHG
"Q3 ,ALL ? = :AT8 ,CD \R LIVES J 2 R&OM
SPECKS 9 A R&OM UNIV]SE8 ,CD GALAXY ^U
GALAXY ) BILLIONS ( />S1 "S ORBIT+1 O!RS
SPIRAL+1 2 R&OM8 ,I "U/& SCI;E'S BIG
BANG !ORY1 B T / DOES NO?+ 6EXPLA9 :AT
TRANSPIR$ 2F ! BANG4 ,I NE$ 62LIEVE 9 A
HI<] ORD] T />T$ T BANG1 N PLA9 SCI5TIF-
IC R&OM;S4 ,9 FACT1 ! M T SCI;E UNRAVELS
AB ! WOND]S ( LIFE 7= 9/.E1 G5ETICS7 &!
UNIV]SE1 ! M ,I AM 9 AWE ( X4 ,6,MUS-
LIMS1 ! B1UTY & WOND] (! UNIV]SE & ALL T
SURR.DS U (F]S PRO( ( ,GOD4 ,I L T IDEA4
  ,IF ,SUZANNE'S ,GOD IS ! ,GOD ( PAS.N
& LOVE1 & ,PRISCILLA'S ,GOD IS A JUDI-
CIAL ,GOD ( MITZVAHS 7GD DE$S OR ACTS71
!N MY ,GOD IS A POETIC R,NALI/ :O APP1LS
6MY M9D & HE>T4 ,HE ASKS ME 63SID] !
UNIV]SE & XS WOND];T1 63SID] ! SCALE (
\R HUMAN A*IEVE;TS 9 SCI;E OR M$IC9E1 TO
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