My Religion

My birth certificate only has my mother listed. I was born a love child in Motown not far from where Miss Diana Ross sang about our lives. My mom and I endured much because of it but nobody would ever allow me to feel that shame. I never allowed my beloved mother to feel it either.

When I learned about Mother Mary, I thought of my mom as the holiest woman alive. I was born like Jesus was and should emulate him so as to make my mother as proud of me as I was of her.

Unfortunately certain things aren’t as easily overcome. My Catholic grandfather’s family cut off all ties with us before I was born. I have my Great Aunt Josephine’s rosary, the stories of the nun and her relatives but only one of my own. As a Great Aunt was nearing the end, we were finally accepted with both sides regretting the needless and pointless separation. I told them as I told my biological father’s family, we will spend eternity getting to know each other in heaven, just not anytime soon because we have faith and love. Nothing else matters.

My grandmother and her family were born of Prussian immigrants of Protestant faith. They held absolutely no hate or bias towards anyone. They loved and accepted all. They are who shaped and molded me in my formative years and into adulthood.

I saw absolutely everything as being a part of God. They interwove Biblical stories with real life experiences as we did chores. They were born on a farm and kept their way of life wherever they lived from the urban center to the suburbs, exurbs and rural communities.

I have kept their way of life even though my religion changed. In the city of Hamtramck within Detroit I listened to the church bells of my youth and then the call to prayer of my Islamic faith. I talked to my friends and neighbors about life in America, local news and our faith in God while doing chores and raising children as I had always done.

I did the same with my friends and neighbors of all religions and no religion wherever I have lived because for me, God lives within us all and every living thing. I love God, therefore I love, value, cherish and respect all, no exceptions, just like Jesus, Mohamed and many more.

My religious practices and words may be different from even my fellow Muslims but we are all God’s children. We are family. Ahlan wa Sahlan! Welcome, Family!