Just because I'm a Muslim
Doesn't mean I'm one of those Arabs
Doesn't mean I'm fanatic, radical, conservative, moderate, liberal
or whatever things you would label on me

Just because I'm a Muslim
Doesn't mean I'm not sociable
Doesn't mean I think I'm always right,
Or you're always wrong
I do not, and I will never think that all non-Muslims are sinners

Just because I'm a Muslim
Doesn't mean I'm a terrorist
Doesn't mean I'm violent or abusive
Doesn't mean I'm not negotiable, or do not want peace on earth

Just because I'm a Muslim woman, wearing a headscarf
Doesn't mean I'm forced to wear this piece of fabric on my head
Doesn't mean I'm physically, socially, or economically abused
Doesn't mean I cannot express myself freely

Just because I'm a Muslim....

Don't stereotype me.

What is it to be good?
helping the needy, or use them to help your reputation
listen to what your kids say, or buy them lots of hi tech digital devices to show your affection
being spiritually modest, or make yourself seem to be religious to endorse yourself in a political campaign
to be honest, or to bare all facts
to hide some facts, or to lie
to go out with somebody you love, or to create a backstreet relationship so people won't look you down
to say "I hate you", or to say nothing so that people will consider you as their friend
to walk home with your sister in the rain, or to take your boss' offer for a ride to show your courtesy
to own a gun, or to own a gun
to protest something in a peaceful manner, or to eradicate an evil system by rioting and bombing
to let ourselves be what we are, or to be like what we want to seem
to be Jewish, Christian, or Muslim
to have a fair, or dark skin
to be petite or to be overweight

What is the point of being good?
If we cannot distinguish between "good" and "looks good"


The visage of life is incensing, arousing. Paragons.
for those who ensnared in Mr. Bush's boisterous discourse,
and those who think that it is as sacred as Martin Luther King Jr.'s.
I wonder why people lead the world to infirmity. Indignity.
Misuse their discretion
"Kill the Jewish!", "Muslims are terrorists!"
I hear protests and censure of sober people everywhere
But their words are just nothing more worthy than a non-appetizing door-to-door solicitation
I wonder why they call anexatie as citadel. God's will.
Where in fact, these are tumults to me

Dude, give me your slingshot and I'll chase this nightmare away
It disrupts my disposition every nightfall
Like blaring horns and clanking gongs
It makes my eyes gleam. My heart thumps
I'm tired of it. So exhausted.
And I always wish expectantly that the sunlight will slant into the world soon
to make the wall between what is good and what is not good crystal clear
and to show the world that being "good" and "seems good" are different things

which means, men, are not necessarily what they seem.