Eid Mubarak, and Thank You
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Eid Mubarak, my friends. Hope everyone had a wonderful celebration. We had a family-filled, biryani-full, chai-fueled day -- it was delightful :-)I wanted to sincerely thank each of you for following along again this year. It was wonderful to look back at the past six years, share some favorite posts and add new ones to each theme, and see how far the blog has come, due to your loyal support. I never imagined that this family project would grow to become an experience that reaches thousands, of all faiths, in every corner of the world (we even have readers in the Marshall Islands and Comoros!). Alhumdulillah.
Thank you also for posting comments, sharing how the blog has impacted you, and for contributing posts over the years. I wanted to close this year by sharing some of your messages, which mean the world to me and encourage me to continue writing each year, thank you so very much.
It's been wonderful to hear that the blog has spurred similar projects on different continents. People have started their own 30 deeds and 30 gratitude initiatives, and shared their lists with me. So many non-Muslims have shared how the blog has allowed them to ‘meet’ a Muslim family and to realize how much we have in common. I feel like we’ve built a community, in this vast virtual world, where we can come together and revel in our human connections.
This blog, after all, is not about Muslims or Islam or even Ramadan; it’s about our emotions and hopes, our stories and traditions. I feel, for all of us, our deepest desires and agonizing worries revolve around very similar issues - health of our families, well-being of our children, safety for our loved ones, gratitude for our blessings, compassion for each other, peace for our world. This is what ‘30 days 30 deeds’ is really about.Thank you sincerely for reading. Until next year, iA.
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"I wanted you to know that your writing has been a blessing to me. As a Christian, I don’t have regular contact with the Muslim community. You have helped to reinforce the idea for me that it’s imperative to separate the stories of violence in the news from the stories and lives of peaceful Muslims who make up the majority of the Muslim communities around the world. I wish more people could know that, and I think that your writing is an important way to get that concept across to non-Muslims. With every example of a Muslim life to be revered, not feared, non-Muslims can come a step closer to understanding the beauty of the Muslim faith.” --Denise"Love this site, the ideas and your writing. Thanks for sharing and inspiring, you live up to your title. I lived in the DC area until six years ago, when I moved to Connecticut. Now I’m back and so happy to see initiatives like this in the area. I’m a lawyer, mom of two, and supporter of all ideas that are both compassionate and cool. 30 days, 30 deeds is both and its an idea is simple and do-able by everyone. JUST LOVE IT. Thanks again, keep up the good work." -- Rabia"You are like a photographer but instead of creating a picture of the outside, you give us a look on the inside. To make a good picture, a photographer needs a good camera, but above all she needs to have an intelligent, curious, gentle look; a deep and gentle look into people's lives. This is what makes a great photographer and this is what I feel in your writings too. As a Catholic living in Europe, I read and hear a lot of frightening and pessimistic stories of Muslims and Islam. Unfortunately, this does not lead to anything positive or constructive in the way I want the world to be for my children. Through your writings and the stories full of humanity and good people, I feel strongly that we share the same values; it gives me confidence in the future and confirms that we - Muslims, Jews, Christians, and all other faiths - are part of the solution and not of the problem. PS: a song by Jacques Brel, "Il Faut Nous Regarder" (We Must Look) was read at our wedding; your blog makes me think of that song." -- Francoise"The blog has been a staple part of my ‘diet’ every Ramadan." -- Shazma“I felt that by reading your blog and incorporating some of the things that you were doing with your family and in your community to embrace the spirit of Ramadan we could all connect more both with our own spirituality and with Muslims and Non-Muslims who share the goals of doing good, caring for others, and living each day with an attitude of gratitude. [Your blog] resonated with me as an American Muslim and inspired me as a human being. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and making so many of us feel more connected. In my humble opinion, it is that feeling of connection despite distance of time and place that is the best and most noble byproduct of social media." -- Masu"You convey so beautifully the energy and enthusiasm of your heroes. We’re all aware that personal experiences determine our feelings, our prejudices. Your writing allows readers to see the beauty in the Muslim people and religion at this terrible time when front page stories recount only radical offenses. Through your narratives and photos, we can feel your joy and respect for your subjects, and feel like we’ve met them ourselves." -- Marsha"By reading your stories, I can glimpse the lives of extraordinary Muslims, I am reminded that extraordinariness is not the province of particular cultures or religions, just as hate and intolerance are not. Your stories teach us that heroism and grace exist throughout humanity, and we are better humans when we take notice of it wherever it exists." -- Carol"Your writing is so clear, sincere and heart-felt that just your words inspire people to step up their game. If anyone can get the world to change, it would be you! I am not a Ramadan celebrant. However, this 30 deeds in 30 days phenomenal idea is applicable anytime. Next thing I know – you’ll be starting the 365 deeds in 365 days revolution! I’m Jewish but anxiously await Ramadan each year because I know that I’ll revel in, learn a lot from, and have my soul strengthened and rejuvenated by your blog." -- Gayle"I lost my faith a long time ago and I miss it sorely. It was a joy in my heart to feel and understand the meaning of your faith for you. I will read each day one of the gratitudes to remind me of our blessings. Thank you.”