Being Muslim in America

by Zahraa Aljanabi

First Place

Briscoe Middle School

Grade 8

Being Muslim in America

is like being trapped in a world

where no one wants me

or understands me

None of my friends understand

that I can't ask my parents for everything I want freely

like having a sleepover

or going out at 6 pm

or just simply hanging out

because it's not like that back in Iraq.

Kids need to be home before dark.

They can't just go wherever they want without an adult

or just tag along

in case

we get kidnapped

or shot.

 Yes I'm in a safe country, Where kids just don't randomly go missing

No one here will call my parents and tell them unless

 They pay a HUGE amount of money

Their child is going to die, but My parents have been through so much

that they don't trust anyone.

Let’s talk about bullying.

My family and I get bullied

So much it’s sickening

Imagine visiting to New York.

You’re standing on the sidewalk, minding your business,

 and a random person pushes you

 and says, “Move, you Muslim.”

Imagine having to learn about Islam in school.

Classmates just give you dirty looks

 and make fun of your religion

They ask if schools in Iraq teach kids how to build bombs.

People ask

“Do you know anyone who’s involved in ISIS?”

Or “Do you have ISIS friends?”

Here’s my answer:

NO! I DON'T HAVE ISIS FRIENDS.

NO! SCHOOLS IN IRAQ

DID NOT TEACH ME

HOW TO BUILD BOMBS.

I just want them to know I’m a normal 15-year old.

I just have a different religion

Than they do.

And my parents have different rules.

I want to tell them that I’m not going

To bomb them if they upset me.

I just want to be treated like everyone else

And not get bullied for being me.

I just want to be me

Without feeling like I shouldn’t be.