I see you.
I see you in your humble hijab, seamlessly integrating your day around five moments of prayer. I see you living a life of peace, dedicated to your faith and your family while striving to give your children the best. I remember the fear that gripped you when our school reopened on September 13, 2001, and how we visited your home, reassuring you that your child was safe and a valued member of our community.
Now, I witness your journey as you flee from unimaginable horrors, desperately seeking a safe haven for your children. You are leaving behind everything familiar, the only home you’ve ever known. The conditions you face as you escape are disheartening, yet you choose this path because it offers a glimmer of hope compared to what you have endured. You are a mother, just like me, willing to sacrifice everything for your children.
I recognize your struggle for safety amidst daunting bureaucratic hurdles and the growing fear that surrounds you. You are undoubtedly aware of the resistance and hostility from those who wish to shut borders out of fear—fear that among you may be individuals who wish to harm. Yet, you are one of the innocent. I see you.
Do you see me? Do you see my fair skin, the book of faith on my table, my Western lifestyle, and the way I resemble those who have committed heinous acts against humanity? I could easily blend in at their rallies, but I am not one of them. Their beliefs contradict everything I hold dear, and I stand against them. Can you see me?
While you may come from the same regions as those who commit acts of terror, you are not like them. I know you are fleeing from them. My heart, as a fellow mother, aches for your plight. I hope that one day, you will see me too.
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In summary, I want to express my solidarity with mothers facing persecution. We share an unbreakable bond through our love for our children, regardless of our backgrounds. Let’s work towards understanding and compassion together.