Chapter 1

   "Thanks Amilah, you're the best." my friend says. I just gave her a discount on her flowers for her wedding coming up.

   "You're welcome, Kelly." Kelly and I have been best friends since kindergarden. One thing we don't have in common, one of us is Muslimah, and the other one isn't.

   I converted to Islam because I felt that I should find out who I really was. I converted four years ago, when I was seventeen. My parents were furious since they were obserbant Jews. Plus, with the war going on with Israel and Palestine, us Israelis moved to the USA. The war is almost like a war between Jews and Muslims it seems. I was born here, but my parents were immigrants.

   My parents are Daniela and Ranaan. My mom has brown hair up to her shoulders, pale skin, and hazel eyes. She always wears dresses. When she talks, she has a slight accent, not as much as my dad.

   My dad also has brown hair (not up to his shoulders of course). Also, the pale skin, but blue eyes. He just wears regular Western clothes. You can barely understand him in English with his accent, so I end up talking to him in Hebrew.

   I myself have no accent what so ever. I have a West coast accent. I guess that's odd because most people here have an East coast accent.

   I have brown hair that goes a little below the shoulders, pale skin, and hazel eyes. My hair ends up getting covered with my hijab, so it doesn't really matter.

   I remember the day I converted. It was a warm, summer day. July 6, 1996. That was also the first day I wore the hijab. I went to the local mosque. It was about 10:00 a.m. They had me say the message I was suppost to say. I was done.

   "Where have you been?" my parents asked me when I returned from the mosque.

   "The mosque."

   "You converted, didn't you?" my dad asked angrily.

   "Yes. You can tell from my hijab."

   "I won't allow it, you're still a child."

   "Tomorrow I'll be 18. It won't change."

   "Do you know that back in Israel, we're fighting the Palestinians? They're all Muslims. Don't you want to be on your country's side?

   "Ranaan, stop it. She could be whatever she wants. I'm ok with her converting." Mom said.

   "Thank you mom." and that's the reason why I still visit. Mom saved us from breaking apart.

   Now, I go to the local university and work in my own flower shop (my parents bought the store, of course I pitched in).

   At my university, I did meet Muslimahs and we became a group of friends. I do still have my non-Muslim friends.

   "Hi Amilah!" Mr. Rogers comes up to the counter. He comes in once a week to buy flowers for events. He's 58 with a lovely wife. He was born in Germany.

   "Hi Mr. Rogers! How are you today?"

   "Great, thanks, and you?"

   "Fine, thanks."

   "What flowers do you need?"

   "100 boquets of roses please." I start to write it down on an order form.

   "How's Edna?" Edna's his wife.

   "She's doing good. Her cupcake business is doing well."

   "They're always the best."

   "Always." he smiles.

   "What address do you need them sent to?" he tells me the address.

   "Time and date?"

   "February 14th. 9:00 a.m."

   "Valentine's day."

   "I love that day. It brings back sweet memories."

   "I bet."

   "Would you like to join Edna and I for dinner Friday night. My grandson is coming from California."

   "I'd love to. Where will it be?"

   "Hussein's." My favorite resturaunt.

   "Awesome. I love that place. See you there at 7?"

   "Sure. Would you like to invite your parents?"

   "Sure." It'll be fun.

 

  

 

Reviews

[T. R. Writer]

Great start, keep it up. I'm interested in seeing what happens. I remember taking the Shahada in the 10th grade when I was maybe 16. My mom didn't like it, only becasue like most Americans she only knew what she knew about Islam from the media. You may be interested in taking a look at muslimwriters.blogspot.com if not for anything than another resource :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Wow you create a interesting tale. Changing religion is a hard topic. Some religion blood can be spill over. I look forward where you are taking the story. I like the people and the topic. A very strong chapter. Thank you.
Coyote

[Huggy Bear]

interesting chapter you have here. I like it:)