For many immigrants, moving to a new country usually means leaving behind family, friends, and an entire way of life. Things were no different for my mother, Nasima Khan, who left behind her life in Bangladesh during the early 1980s. With no close friends or relatives in New York City, and a husband who had to spend his days and nights working, she looked for comfort in a book, one whose words would support her as she began a new life in an unfamiliar land. That book was a copy of the Qu’ran, the main religious text of Islam. Although my mom didn't grow up in a strict, religious household, she was given a copy of the Qur’an from her own mother, who told her, “As long as you keep your faith, you will never be alone.” A commonly held belief among Muslims is that despite all the struggles and obstacles we face in our lives, God is always watching over us and protecting us. For her, the Qur’an was a reminder of this belief. Even as she said goodbye to her family and boarded a plane alone for the first time, she felt relief because she knew that God would protect her on her journey. The copy of the Qur’an that my mom was given by her own mother is one of the only possessions that she could bring with her. Not only does it serve as a connection to God, but also to her family back in Bangladesh.

– Ishraq Khan

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant