personal stories
Welcoming Refugees with Sweet-Smelling Soap
Having a teenage daughter who is really into body care products that ignite the senses has been fun. From lotions and potions to make-up, soaps and even candles, my daughter has amassed a collection of feel good stuff that resembles mini-spas in our bathrooms and closet shelves. When she dragged me into the store, Lush, […]
Happy New Year 2016
As 2015 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on this past year. Personally- there are many blessings I thank Allah subhannah wa ta Allah for including the health and happiness of my children and husband, the blessing of having extended family and friends and even the critters in my […]
I Stand by You, Larycia Hawkins
Dear Larycia Hawkins, Words can’t express the deep feelings of solidarity and love that I have after reading about your story and seeing you donning hijab in support of the Muslim community who is under attack right now by the political right and their conspirators in the corporate media. At a time when hate crimes […]
Paris Attacks and Being Muslim
Originally published at the Huffington Post in the Religion Section. I have taken a few days to process the Paris attacks mentally, emotionally, spiritually. It rocks the core of my being on so many levels that I fear I won’t be able to express the complexity of what is inside me. I want to express […]
Just Some Musings
As a 40-um-something ENFP, I internalize the injustices in the world and then idealize the outcomes. This is what drives my blogging and activism whether it’s tweeting or rallies or the #MyJihad campaign. I know I’m just a drop in the ocean, but every storm has its first rain drop. I will never stop being […]
Guest Blogger, Faisal R. Khan, Talks About Being a Muslim American.
-I always enjoy the perspectives of my friend, Faisal. He has such a rational and profound way of expressing himself. He inspires me. I’m super psyched and honored for him to be a Guest Blogger this month on yasminareality.com. Follow him on Twitter at: @frkhan87. Thank you, Faisal! ~Yasmina ******** My name is Faisal Khan […]
Eid Mubarak 2015
It’s nearly 10:30 Chicago time. I’m sitting in my kitchen waiting for the banitza to come out of the oven. I texted “mabrook” to my brother for completing another perfect month of fasting. I told my son he cannot open the huge bag of lollipops that the kids will get tomorrow. And my kids are […]
18 Years Ago You Left Me
March 20, 2015 18 years ago you passed away- at the young age of 58. You didn’t want to go. We didn’t want you to go. But these things are not up to us. We weren’t ready to live life without you in it. And like everything else you did in life- you faced it head on […]
