It’s
confession time. Before flying to Texas
in early June I worried that someone in my very politically conservative family
might inadvertently offend Azza by making derogatory comments about Muslims in
her presence. After all, we would be
traveling deep into the heart of the Lone Star State, a place where many were radicalized
by the events of 9/ll. To make matters
worse, lots of impressionable Texans obsessively watch FOX news and uncritically
accept everything they hear coming from those Islamophobic talking heads.
Prior to
our departure, Azza and I even discussed how we would handle such a situation
if it were to arise. We finally hit upon
the idea that we simply wouldn’t discuss religion at all, with anyone, even if
pressed to do so.
My Aunt Betsy
was one of those I was most worried about.
During my visit to Texas the previous summer, she’d questioned me about
Egypt and Egyptian cultural practices. During
the course of our conversation, she’d said a few things that left me feeling a bit
uncomfortable. As a result, I fretted
about what might come out of her mouth when she came face to face with Azza.
When the
two finally met, they acted like long-separated friends that had just been
reunited. In other words, they hugged
and chatted like there was no tomorrow. They
even asked me to photograph them together, a request I immediately
honored. Aunt Betsy, who has a wonderful
sense of humor and is very outspoken, said to me, as soon as I was done taking
the picture, “Show it to us so we can decide who is the prettiest.” Her comment cracked up everyone, including
Azza.
Now that most
of the Texas trip is behind us, I can say that my fears were totally
overblown. The subject of religion did
come up numerous times, and I have to admit that I cringed each time that it
did. To her credit, though, Azza talked
openly about being a Muslim and demonstrated, in lots of different ways, that
not all of its followers are wild-eyed radicals, as many unfortunately assume. Conversely, everyone listened carefully to what
she had to say and learned a lot in the process.
I’ve
learned lessons too—not to jump to conclusions about some of my kinfolk.
