Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit in or didn’t belong based on the way you dressed and where you came from? Have you ever felt so insecure that you always did what everyone else was doing, just so you could feel like part of the group? Sometimes you give in to all the pressures that surround you, and sometimes, you realize that being yourself is much more important.

In Randa Abdel-Fattah’s wonderfully written debut novel, “Does My Head Look Big in this?” a teenager struggles to tear herself away from the cultural and religious stereotypes she faces. Amal, an Australian-Muslim-Palestinian, feels she got "whacked with some seriously confusing identity hyphens." She faces bullies, racists and even herself throughout the book after she decides to wear the hijab in an attempt to practice her religion. She shows great courage and passion as she realizes the obstacles that in her decision to wear the hijab - she is often her own worst enemy. 

“High school is tough enough without throwing a hijab into the mix…” as is stated at the back of the book. Within the novel, there are those who are skeptical of her choice, those who are against it, and those who try to convince her to remove it.

Although the novel downplays some religious acts (for example, at one point in Ramadan, the characters go to a theatre and break their fast with popcorn), it is still a largely true picture. We need to keep in mind that this book was post 9/11, and the author mentions this in the novel as well. Other than a couple of lightly-treated religious concepts, I’d have to say that overall, Abdel-Fattah does a good job trying to get the idea of Islam across to readers.

Amal faces high school crushes and drama that never seems to end, just as any other typical high school girl would. Abdel-Fattah seems to be trying to make the point that Amal is just the same as any other teenager…which she is.

The author of this riveting book has done a great job of portraying this issue and making it known that it doesn’t matter what you look like from the outside, it matters  who you are in the inside. Cliché, I know, but nonetheless, a well written book and an even better outlook on the issue at hand.

“…This [novel] should speak to anyone who has felt like an outsider for any reason,” critics say. I highly recommend this novel, as it is witty and sensitive at the same time, providing Muslims and non-Muslims alike with the thoughts of a struggling teenager, trying to get through life without falling into the clutches of societal stereotypes. She tries to make herself heard, and prove to not only others, but herself as well, that the barriers society has placed on her won’t change a thing.

When I first sat down to watch Little Mosque on the Prairie about two years ago, I was a little sceptical at what I would find. I had heard many things about this new television series, good and bad alike, so granted, I was a little worried. Would there be uproar from the Muslim community? Would fights ensue? Would the show degrade Muslim values? Perhaps I was being a little over-cautious, but 9/11 was still present in many people’s minds, and I was concerned as to what angle this show would take.

Little Mosque is a vibrant and entertaining show that is clearly doing well as it enters its fourth season this fall (September 28, 2009).

The series focuses on the Muslim community in the fictional prairie town of Mercy, Saskatchewan. There is the local mosque, presided over by Imam Amaar Rashid and located in the rented parish hall of the town's Anglican Church, and Fatima's Café, a downtown diner run by Fatima Dinssa. You've also got Yasir Hamoudi, a construction contractor who fronted the money to establish the mosque by pretending that he was renting office space for his business. Yasir's 25-year-old daughter (with wife and convert Sarah) is a doctor and Islamic feminist, and she provides the "modern" and "moderate" female voice on the show.
 
Reviews of the show have been mixed, however, with many observing that Little Mosque is corny, more than anything else. Some feel that it makes non-Muslims seem like idiots, some think it's funny, and at least one commenter thinks the Muslim adviser to the show has made some mistakes.

The show does focus mainly on Islamic values; however, there are the typical ups and downs that are seen in other shows as well. There are the heartbreaks (can’t say between who, you’ll have to watch to find out!), the family fights, and the personal growth of certain characters. At times it can be witty, but as aforementioned, it is certainly corny. Little Mosque is a good pastime; one of those put-your-feet-up and relax shows, and it is definitely worth watching. The show touches on some Islamic issues that are very well explained and have intelligent, thought out answers. The show is not what I would consider to be controversial, although I have spoken to a few people in regards to the sitcom and they find that the show downplays a lot of religious issues, and frankly, they believe it doesn’t stress the importance of Islam.

In my opinion, I think they are doing the best they can. I mean, in the post 9/11 era, you can’t expect television producers to throw out some Islamic values at society and expect them to accept it wholeheartedly. There will be questions and demands—a whole lot of issues that need to be dealt with first. So far, they’ve done a good job at explaining the Islamic way to do things, and though I’d also like to see more emphasis on the importance of Islam, I think for now, it’s going at a good pace. It’s humorous and contains a good storyline—what more could an audience want?

You can watch it at Monday’s at 8:30pm on CBC television.

You hear it all the time—words hurt. But does anybody actually do anything about it? We have freedom of speech, we argue, so that gives us the right to say anything we want. We judge others, we belittle others, and we label them and stereotype them…but when it happens to us, that’s when it has to stop. There is one youth community that is actually taking a stand to end the spiteful words that we may come across. York University is urging students to “watch how they use their words”.

As part of the school's first "Inclusion Day", there were posters that show an open mouth launching weapons with warnings to respect others that you may disagree with:
 
"Words have a way of hitting innocent bystanders."

"A war of words is still a war."

"It's not just what you say, but how you say it."

"Nothing kills ideas like an explosive argument."

This "Safe Speech" campaign was organized to discourage the confrontations that have occurred erupted on the campus in recent years, often over the Middle East. Authorities are not trying to stop protests and other such rallies. They are simply trying to limit the “emotional clashes” that have occurred over the past few years.

Hopefully, the initiative that York University is taking will actually affect the environment positively. To see change, we must change. Though, that is easier said than done. With more and more controversial issues around us, and with the highly opinionated younger generations, what else can we expect other than differences in perspectives? Although some may not be so opinionated and others may just be indifferent, taking a stand right now can prevent the “heated confrontations” that take place at the campus.

Noel Badiou, director of the university's Centre for Human Rights, says, “We’re supposed to help students learn and be the leaders of tomorrow, and I'm not sure those are always those who can shout the loudest."

And

I need a laptop. I mean, it’s such a hassle to have to wait for one of the computers at school, or to have to wait until I get home to use the desktop, or not be able to go on whenever I want. Laptops are so much more convenient. Which is why I need a laptop so I can do my homework and assignments, and do my readings online, and besides, everyone has a laptop. There are so many reasons as to why I need a laptop…

But is it really a need? Do I really need it or do I just want it? How many of us out there say that we just absolutely have to a certain electronic device, or a specific hair care product, or perfume, or video game without really taking into account that we don’t really have a need for it? Our wants always overpower our needs and we tend to find a way or a reason to make it seem like a necessity.

Recently having returned from a two month visit to India, I’ve realized now how much we take for granted here. So many of the things we have are not necessary in our lives, yet we buy it anyways. For example, in India, tissue boxes were not available in every house. Many people did not buy them because they felt they were a waste of money. They often carried around handkerchiefs or used old cloths to wipe up spills. That is just one of the many examples we see in less developed countries. Those things we take for granted are considered a luxury in some parts of LEDC’s (Less Economically-Developed Countries). (Note that some parts of India are extremely well-developed, and many in Mumbai live better than most Canadians).

What I noticed while I was living with my grandmother is that many people don’t really have those wants that we constantly feel. It’s not necessarily that they can’t afford it, but that they know how to control their desires and, with exceptions of course, live a more humble life. They buy the essentials, their needs, and move on. I felt so much more grateful for the way I live my life here. But what am I really getting at? That we cannot control ourselves? That I’m a changed woman after returning from my visit? That we ought to boycott Kleenex and carry a handkerchief for the rest of our lives?

Well, let me first draw your attention to a dreadful situation that occurred recently in Pakistan, another LEDC.

“On Tuesday, September 15, 2009, in Karachi, Pakistan, approximately 18 women died in a stampede while they were waiting for handouts of flour. Police did not monitor or organize the event properly because they were not informed beforehand. Mohammad Amin khan of Karachi Civil Hospital said some of the women had suffocated and that there were at least 20 bodies. This unfortunate event occurred in the Holy month of Ramadan. (The Associated Press)

You hear it all the time: “be grateful for what you have, or be thankful for what God has given you.” It’s become so repetitive that we’re immune to it. We’ve become desensitized to the harsh realities that LECD countries face. Newspapers, magazines and television sources are constantly bombarding us with stories of the pain and suffering that many in less developed countries are facing. It didn’t really shock me that there were people out there fighting and dying just to get some flour to cook a meal at home. But what did shock me was that, although my heart did go out to those poor souls, it was just another story to me. It was just another situation that occurred somewhere else that didn’t really concern me. With few exceptions, many people are the same as well. They read the story, feel sorry for the victim(s) in question, and move on with their lives. And what’s worse is that we’ll never change. No matter how horrific the incident, we cannot help but move on with our lives. Nor do we even appreciate the bounties that have been provided to us by the Almighty any more so than normal. Just think, the lives of the deceased in Pakistan and those who were affected is just another news article to us. Just another sad day in their already sad lives.

Maybe we should stop and think. And maybe, we should donate that money to those who can’t even afford a meal? Maybe we should sit down and take a longer time during our salaat to lift our hands and make dua (prayer).Only He can provide for us, but He can take it away from us in a matter of seconds as well.

My point was not to tell you to stop buying toilet paper because we can use leaves, or to stop buying ink because we can write out our 45 page essays. Limit yourself and truly figure out the difference between your wants and needs. Understand that sometimes you don’t need to have it all and realize that there are others out there who have nothing. We are a more advanced country, so we do have more use for the things we may buy because they make our everyday lives more efficient. My point was for you to understand this—what we may take for granted are considered luxuries to others.

I still want that laptop though.