Just Like Muhammad Ali

When I was in fifth grade, I was to write a report about an inspiring living person of our day. One of the few known inspirational Muslims of the time that I anxiously wanted to write about was Muhammad Ali.

Let’s back track for a moment, I never followed his work inside the ring. I was inspired by his actions outside of the ring. The man that refused to be drafted and didn’t flinch when threatened with jail and loss of finances. The man that did not shy from speaking about Islam and against Islamophobia in all it’s forms. The man that didn’t allow a disease define him, consume him or stop him from being the activist that he was.

He was the man that floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee.

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That particular quote of his resonated with me throughout my entire youth. It wasn’t just a quote on how he fought in the ring but a quote on how he went about with the struggles of life. I was reminded of that quote through my tough times as a child, bullied for being small and poor. I was reminded of that quote through my middle school years when I decided to dun the hijab. I’m was reminded of that quote during high school when anything that could go wrong did.

By the time I was 18, my personality became stronger. My outlook on life became brighter. It wasn’t going to be easy but I had the right to be full of goals, dreams and was confidently mapping out my strategy. I was going to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Just like Muhammad Ali.

May he rest in God’s eternal peace and light… Ameen.

Alice Nashashibi… an Arab American Icon

Today, I read one of the most saddest emails I could’ve read… Ms. Alice Nashashibi of San Francisco had passed away.

Ms. Nashashibi is one of the main pillars of existence for the Arab Cultural and Community Center (ACCC). Since it’s doors first opened, she had been an active and supportive community member. She never missed an event, no matter how big or small.

In my years working and volunteering at the ACCC, she was always there! Every meeting, every get together, every banquet, every festival… I simply couldn’t imagine the image of an event without the presence and contributions of Ms. Nashashibi.

She supported every community member, made an effort to always greet everyone in the room, and had a contagious, beautiful smile. She had a wonderful presence that will surely be deeply missed.

In my eyes, Ms. Nashashibi is an icon of what we Arab Americans aspire to be in our communities across the country.

Thank you Alice… as always, for everything!

If you are in the Bay Area, services for Alice Nashashibi will be held this weekend as follows:

Sunday, March 3rd: Viewing at Duggans in Daly City from 3 to 9 pm with an open forum starting at 7pm for community members to share their thoughts.

Monday, March 4th: Funeral Mass starting at 12pm at the St. Thomas Moore Church in San Francisco. There will be an evening reception from 6-9pm at her home.

May she rest in God’s eternal peace… Ameen.