Too Muslim or Not Enough Muslim?

Nova Ahmed
2 min readSep 6, 2024

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I heard the title from my baby brother; he’s a big boy now, and how he struggles among these two in the East and West. But it came to my mind all over again when I received many messages from my dear students.

Around our university, female students are targeted. They are being attacked. Some people are attacking women, deliberately targeting them from above, sides and these attacks can come from any point. Some were really hurt, but the discussion remains among students and has not reached authorities.

At the same time, I was talking to my dear sister and friend living in the Seatle area. She was chased and attacked for wearing a hijab there. Yes, they only target women … its better if you have a man or men around.

Just me sitting in the corner of my friend’s rooftop

I am not surprised that, as women, we are the ones who have to hold on to our culture and values. I have heard about it so many times that things are not culturally appropriate, which means that something is restrictive for women. At the same time, if your culture scares someone (of course it would!), it's the women …. they are to be held responsible.

Anyone can attack a woman at any point, and it's socially justified. It can be you are too Muslim, or you are not enough Muslim. Or any other religion, race, or practice …. can not have too much or too little; it has to be “just right.

Plain and simple.

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