“My Voice is Not an Apology.”– Nayyirah Waheed “The woman who does not require validation from anyone is the most feared individual on the planet.”– Mohamed Najumi Dear Fellow Warrior, I recently shared my new poem, “The Choice of Return, Reclaiming the Crown.“ You can read my poem on my other Substack: “Sword Dispatch: The…
Islam
Saving Palestine through the UNRWA DC Gaza 5K
“Mental Health is a Human Right.” – Laila Mokhiber, Director of Communications, UNRWA USA Dear Fellow Warrior, Recently, on May 31, 2025, I participated in the UNRWA DC Gaza 5K. It was a bittersweet moment to be back again this particular year. The event was at the usual place at Rock Creek Park, in Washington…
The Choice of Return: Reclaiming the Crown
“She remembered who she was, and the game changed.” – Lalah Daliah Dear Fellow Warrior, I wrote this piece in April, America’s National Poetry Month, after returning from my first Pilgrimage to Makkah, during Ramadan. At that moment, I decided to return to wearing the head cover, after precisely two decades. I wore the hijab…
To the Muslim Friends Who Punished Me for Surviving
Dear Fellow Warrior, As we closed out Mental Health Awareness Month, I made this statement on Facebook… to my Muslim brothers and sisters, to my family, and to anyone who once called me a friend and has followed my journey online. You’ve witnessed my voice… always active, always striving… across these platforms. Your silence has…
The Gift of “Firsts”: A Second Chance at Relearning the World Through Hijab
“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you.” – Rumi Dear Fellow Warrior, This reflection emerged during this ongoing moment of self-discovery. As I shared in my previous post, I’ve recently experienced a reawakening… one that has ignited a wave of contemplation, memory, and meaning. There have…
The Underdog Rises: A WOC’s Academic Comeback, Reckoning, & Reclamation
Reflections on My Three-Year Graduation Anniversary, for my Academic Journey, and as a Woman of Color in Academia… “Great spirits always encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds.” – Albert Einstein Dear Fellow Warrior, I write this for Me, myself, and I. And all those who felt invisible in Academia, and deserved better. Three years after…
Allah is Sufficient
“When the world pushes you to your knees, you’re in the perfect position to pray.” – Rumi “Sometimes Allah breaks your heart to save your soul.”– Anonymous Dear Fellow Warrior, The featured photo is another Arabic calligraphy piece I completed a few weeks ago. I really like this one too. This piece came to me…