Nabeeha Kazmi, a 13-year old Pakistani from Queens, described the Kiswah piece as incredibly sacred, something that gets taken out only at gatherings to get passed around and kissed. Kept safely in a clear case, it is rarely handled. Nabeeha was born in New York City, but moved back to Pakistan as a baby before returning permanently with her mother and younger brother in 2017. When I asked what her mosque meant beyond a place of worship, she answered, "It's like a community." Growing up with a strict mother, it became one of the few places she could make friends. She spoke about majalis and milaads hosted in women's homes, where faith and community blend together.

Outside the mosque, Nabeeha says New York's diversity makes being Muslim feel ordinary. Her friends are respectful of her religion, and exchanges of food with neighbors have made cultural differences feel natural. She contrasted this with media portrayals that depict Muslims "like a cult," saying they bear no resemblance to her own community.

Unlike some older Muslims, Nabeeha admitted that growing up in the West sometimes makes holding onto her faith difficult. Negative portrayals of Islam occasionally make her question herself, yet she continues practicing despite those doubts. She worries future generations may lose touch with their heritage, but believes in documenting stories as a way to preserve that for generations to come. Her piece of the Kiswah is a bridge between generations.

– Ariba Hassan

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child