Life Lessons for my Son
Lying prone on a day bed gave me time to think about what I wanted to say to my dear Zayd as he embarks on this next chapter in his life—building his second start-up in one of the greatest cities in the world, while exploring the “life of the mind” at an incredible institution that holds so many memories for Arif and myself
Coming to America
I’m reminded me of the very first personal story I wanted to write — the one that revealed to me the power of our ordinary stories, and which ended up changing my life.
When Arif Met Salma
I walked into the suite, he turned around and saw me, and poured the whole bottle of red pepper in his curry!
A story about a katori
I see a story in just about everything; and then ask myself what’s the deeper meaning. Like this katori. It had a story to tell. I simply asked.
Kindness Wins!
"We believe that each one of us can make a difference, right now. We may not be able to solve all of the world's problems, but we can do something to make the life of one person a little easier,
Pakistan on the Potomac
Being a cross-cultural parent in Washington can mean teaching your children the Koran — and then carpooling them to hip-hop class.
"She never met a stranger"
This is George, outside his childhood home in Mclean. His mom Evelyn lived here for 65 years, until she died last year at age 96. George wanted to donate all the furniture to the Afghan refuge
30 days 30 refugee stories
Each Ramadan for the past seven years, I’ve been keeping a blog to share the essence of the month. Ramadan is about so much more than just not eating or drinking; it’s about gratitude
Humans of Mother Earth (HOME) - Travel Edition
As many of us are enjoying our summer holidays, some traveling abroad, others staying closer to home, I have a suggestion. The idea came to me as I was j
Our Own Paths to God
One of my most fulfilling experiences as a writer has been a message I received from someone who had read a piece that I had written for a national women’s magazine
Remembering Beijing
On the 20th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, and on the anniversary of Hillary Clinton’s speech there, I wanted to share my reflections
My Beloved Dad
[My father passed away on March 28th, 2019. Thank you for reading his story, which I wrote three years ago on his 80th birthday.]Today, is my father’s 80th birthday.
Stirring it Up in the Kitchen
The idea grew out of the tragedy of the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris. A dear friend of Jewish faith, horrified at the growing intolerance and hate in the world and the comments
The Letter
For months, perhaps even for years, I had been composing in my mind the letter I was going to write to my daughter before she left for college
These Birds Walk
Stories evoke emotions. They help us cultivate a relationship and develop a sense of familiarity. By revealing personal vulnerabilities and universal longings
Meeting Mandela: A Tribute
As thousands celebrate the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela in South Africa, I’m grateful that the snow has slowed down our hurried morning pace to allow me to take pause too