The Quran is the Holy Book of Islam, used by Muslims for over 1,400 years for prayer and guidance. The Quran I own is very special to me. It has a beautiful hardcover and color-coded pages that help me learn the reading rules. My grandmother brought it from Pakistan for me when I was a child, and I started reading and memorizing it when I was 8 years old. This book connects to the story of immigration. Years ago, the Quran was hard to find in the United States, and it was very expensive if you did find it. In Muslim countries like Pakistan, you can easily buy the Quran in any bookstore in many different styles. Because America is so diverse, resources for different religions and cultures should be easy to find for everyone.


A special memory I have with my Quran happened during Ramadan when I was 10 years old. I set a secret goal to memorize a long Surah (chapter). Every day after praying, I sat down and memorized 5 to 7 verses. I did not tell anyone until I finished the whole chapter. I felt so proud, and my dad and grandpa even gave me 20 dollars to celebrate. The Quran is a big part of my identity. It shows that I am a Muslim, connects me to my beliefs, and teaches the stories of God's messengers. It also connects to New York City because it proves that Muslims are an important part of the community, showing that everyone belongs and has the freedom to practice their own faith.


 

– AM

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant