Being A Muslim Teen In America

Let’s face it, being a religious Muslim in America is hard. Like, really hard.
Practicing already has its own challenges in America. Dressing modestly is becoming more and more difficult in modern society and not being able to eat at restaurants ninety percent of the time because there’s no Zabiha Halal place nearby is not fun.
But, in reality, the most difficult part is the judgment that comes from outsiders for practicing Islam. The bizarre questioning, harsh glares, and distant body language from others never seem to go away. The dark, horrifying monsters of Islamophobia still pry on us whenever they can, with stares that like to crawl all over the body like centipedes with a million, tiny legs. Or how sometimes we have to choose the easy way out in Islamophobic situations because it’s the safest option.
Especially for my hijabi sisters, leaving the house can be frightening because anything could happen, even right outside your house. Speaking of hijab, dressing modestly has only been getting harder for Muslim girls. When the clothes in stores start to get shorter and shorter and tighter and tighter, we can’t help but rethink ourselves. And after the recent terrifying and tragic death of twenty-two-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini took place because of her hijab ‘not covering enough’, the ideology of Muslim women being oppressed has only been intensified. It’s proven to be difficult to explain to others how it’s not Islam, it’s the government. The way we have to have to justify ourselves after every single conflict that has the word ‘Islam’ or ‘Muslims’ sprinkled in it is exhausting.
Some hardships come within our own community too. The extremely conservative aunties and uncles don’t make practicing Islam any easier, as they lack the words of encouragement Muslim teenagers need in the present time and society.
It puts American Muslim teenagers in an awkward position. The balance of finding pride in Islam, but not too much. Trying to progress forward, but not too much. It’s not easy and it’s pretty overwhelming.
Though, there are some beautiful aspects of being a Muslim teenager too. The joy that comes with exchanging Islamic culture often makes me smile. I love it when others ask curiously and respectfully about Islam. And when Ramadan hits, the way the Muslim community prospers is so loving and strong. Everyone is giving to everyone with such genuine hands, and after Taraweeh, we greet old friends and laugh over memories and stories. Ramadan is like a yearly holiday present with a bow tie, waiting to be unwrapped and yearning to spread affection.
While Islamophobia is, in no doubt, horrific, it forces Muslims to build courage. It forces us to explain to others what Islam is really about and encourages us to be proactive. Sometimes when we shut our eyes so tight that we see stars, it seems impossible to rebuild ourselves. But, in the end, we always piece ourselves together, quicker and stronger than before. And even with the difficult aunties and uncles, we, Muslim teenagers, seem to push forward through.