Today  is my mother's birthday.  Even though she's gone in body her spirit is what we celebrate today. Ummi I miss you everyday but still have a conversation with you spiritually.  I hope when you look down on me that your proud of the man I became. Happy birthday Ummi! I get peace from the fact that I know your resting in paradise enjoy your new life love alway Muhammad. 

At the age of 12 yrs old my neighbor, childhood friends & extended family converted to Islam.  It was foreign to me because I’d never known or encountered anyone of the Muslim faith.  She explained "A Muslim is someone who practices Islam.  We consider the Koran our holy book, to be the verbatim word of God as revealed to the Islamic Prophet Messenger of Muhammad.  “We are Ones who submit to God." At my age all I needed & wanted to know was that I was still welcomed in their home Hospitality always remained on an all time high! —And the bond of friendship and love has never been broken. I hadn’t joined any church but Black Christianity was mainstream.  Black Muslims carried the stigma of being "Militant, Radical, Defiant, Politically Dangerous with a hatred of the, Blue-Eyed Devil, White Jesus"  However, being in an intimate relationship with The Harris’s allowed me to KNOW better.  I had NOTHING to fear! It was Viqarun. Begum, AKA Geri Harris, My Ummi (mother) that loved on me unconditionally!  I could always take my Social Studies homework and openly discuss the assignment.  I’d leave her presence enriched and enlightened. She nurtured my mind, challenging me to THINK outside the box, beyond the textbook, bringing the Black experience & perspective to the lesson which I still intellectually approach subject matters on Politics, Race & Religion.  I thought she was one of the most articulate, intelligent & smartest women EVER! When I chose Jesus Christ at 15yrs old as my personal Savior, Lord of my life, she never questioned, mocked, challenged or debated my faith in God or my practices in Christianity. She respected my Faith, encouraging me to go deeper, grow and mature. The family is Honorable, Respectful, Loving, Kindhearted, Giving, Caring, yea....hopefully like yours and definitely like mines.  So when I see unbridled hatred toward Muslims and Immigrants by this Administration, aggressively, maliciously fanning the flames of Hate, Bigotry, Xenophobia along with the  POTUS being viewed in the world as a symbol of White Supremacy and being given the cover by Religious demagogues to intimidate, terrorize, in attempt to make Muslims in our community feel Un-American, "Others", Alien, Terrorist by default because of their Religion, I'm enraged!To paint  with a broad brush ALL Muslims as extremist because of terrorism is UNFAIR & UNJUST--all the while not even considering the Domestic terrorism of White Supremacist, KKK, NeoNazi's, White Nationalist and other hate groups who have hijacked the religion of Christianity and Patriotism.  #Authentic Christians and Americans need to STAND against anyone being mistreated, ostracized, marginalized because of their faith; My God that's what this nation was founded upon! My heart is filled with gratitude for my journey that included her support, influence & guidance. The godly Woman, God was calling me to be, fell from the fruit of her admonishing & encouraging lips "Judy, those hot-pants are tooooo hotttt!Lol  A young man with integrity and good intentions is attractive to a young lady with mystic.  Leave something for the imagination"   I'm thinking especially of My Dear Ummi, Old Neighbor, Big Sista', Friend, 2nd Mom, Viquran, Begum, & Harris Family, The Muslim community with Love, Compassion, Respect with much Prayer. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.  I will always love you.❤️