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I really struggled with what to write about today. As the first Muslim student to give a reflection during Chapel, I felt compelled to talk about the similarities in our faith traditions. I was also torn with making some big point for you all to take home regarding diversity. All aspects of diversity, race, class, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ideas, etc. I feel like all of these topics are things I can say to you at any time. If you want, you can stop my after chapel is over ask “Really how do you feel about gender criticism within Islam” and I could talk all day. Be prepared. But this is supposed to be a three to five minute refection about my journey here at Jewell. So I am going to do it a bit different. It is a bit satirical, and in poetic prose, and if there are no objections (and if they are keep quiet, it’s my time to speak!), here goes.
My faith journey at Jewell
Began like many things start
So it is only fair
That I go to that, you know, beginning part
We trudged that first march around the ole’ quad
On August 27th, 2004
Then I spotted a couple that looked quite odd
They were my own parents, smiling, though what for?
My mother’s headscarf a vibrant yellow
It stood out against the tans and grey
My father was beaming, such a jolly fellow
Though he was dressed weird too, I must say
Why couldn’t they be normal, just for today?
It is my time to shine after all!
Now they all know that five times a day
My face toward Mecca must fall
Can’t I get fully moved into my dorm?
It was on the third floor of Eaton Hall
With a roommate words can’t form… (Hi Tom Suter)
It was going to be a long fall
Within my first few months
I had built quite a story tower
From prayer rooms given, and taken away
To being threatened with a pork juice shower
Now while I was at risk
Of being nailed to the cross like the Christ
I was still just cheerful Chris…
I thought a simple hello would suffice.
I began my month of fasting
With hunger and self reflection
I even joined a fraternity
But that takes us in a whole new direction (I won’t go there)
I got engaged in UNITY
Went to events sponsored by CUA
Saw Art with the Harriman Series
Made my first college A
I have experienced a lot
In my time here at Jewell
And though I’ve been bitter (once or twice)
I would choose no other school
But what of my challenges
My fight against adversity
Tell us about your passions
Your reason for promoting diversity
All of theses tales
Are woven into my college fabric
From my car being pelted with tornado hail
To my awful job of driving in reverse (truly tragic)
So why was I chosen,
To give my five minute memoir?
Is my story extremely special?
Worth more than your’s?
I am not sure why I am here
Maybe just wasting your time
But really have no fear
As I am running out of rhyme
My faith journey began
As so many of ours do
I came to college one person
And will walk away a new
So I won’t bring up Father Abraham
And who was to be sacrificed that day (Was it Isaac or Ishmael?)
But I hope you will respect me enough
To bow your heads with me, and pray
Creator of us all:
Be generous in your prosperity, and help us to be thankful in our adversity.
Be fair in your judgements, and help us to be guarded in our speech.
Be a lamp to those who walk in darkness, and help us to open our hearts to strangers.
Be eyes to the blind Great Teacher, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring
May you be a breath of life to the body of humankind,
And dew to the soil of the human soul,
And may we always just be a branch upon the tree of humility.
In the Essence of that Spirit we pray,
Amen
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