Grateful for My Muslim Brothers and Sisters

Assalamu alaykum! I get really happy whenever I meet another Muslim, whether brother or sister - it feels like meeting family. Why? Because I see you as my brother and sister. That sense of kinship means a lot to me. Also, the way Muslim sisters and brothers behave usually makes interactions easier. A Muslim sister typically respects my boundaries more, and I don’t feel judged for not wanting to be close friends. With a Muslim brother I often feel the comfort of brotherhood. There are many good qualities I notice in our community. Even if a sister isn’t very educated or sometimes lacks manners, her care, loyalty and humility often stand out. Even if a brother isn’t the most easygoing or quick to understand, his care, loyalty and humility make a big difference. Of course some people make mistakes, but overall I think we do better than what you see in many other places. Before anyone criticizes our women or men as selfish or disloyal, look at how some people outside our faith behave - leaving others in difficult situations, treating family duties like a shameful chore, or treating relationships carelessly. I feel truly blessed to have my Muslim brothers and sisters around - life would be much harder without you. May Allah bless you all. 🤲