As Salam Alaikum, people. My name is Ali Aden, and I'm a young Black man of Somali descent living in the City of Ottawa, Ontario. I am a practicing Muslim, and that's part of the reason why this is so difficult for me. I was born in the Puntland region of Somalia, and raised in northern Ontario. I guess you could say I've got a foot in each world. I am proud of my Somali cultural heritage, but Canada is also dear to me. I'm trying to be true to both, and it's not easy.
At first glance, I seem like a well-adjusted citizen of Western society. I am six feet two inches tall, lean and athletic, with dark brown skin and curly Black hair. I am often told I look much younger than my thirty years. I graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Master's degree in Economics in the summer of 2007. For ages I looked for work, and then, through sheer luck, I landed a good job in the City of Ottawa. Many talented and ambitious brothers with Canadian university degrees aren't so lucky.
I work for the Canadian government as an analyst for the Canada Revenue Agency's Auditors Division. You don't see a lot of Black Muslim men in positions like mine, and I'm both admired and hated because of my talents. It's not just old White guys who feel intimidated by the presence of Black men in the business world. Men and women of other races seem to dislike our presence as well. I don't let them get to me. Danger, educated Black man, people. Let the pale bigots who think they run the world beware.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you're gay and Muslim, or a lesbian Muslim, you should keep it to yourself. I used to hate myself because of my bisexuality but slowly I've learned to accept it. For years, I had sex with women, and I actually enjoyed it, but these days I have a preference for men. That doesn't mean I never get sexually aroused by the sight of a big-booty female bending over. I still do. Most days, though, I'm into the flavor of men. It's a strong preference, what can I say?
For a long time, I tried to convince myself that I was straight. I married a White woman named Mildred O'Connell, and we have a son together, Amir. At the time we met, Mildred was new to Islam. My parents warned me about her but I didn't listen to them. I married her and we have a son together. Unfortunately for me, my parents were right. Mildred wasn't serious about the faith. All Muslims know someone like her. One of those White women who hastily embrace Islam, follow the faith for a while and then abruptly leave it.
Ladies and gentlemen, understand that I've got nothing against people of any ethnicity or background finding their way to Islam. I've met White dudes from Bosnia who are devout Muslims, and new converts from places like Haiti, Italy, Jamaica, Colombia, South Africa and even Brazil. Islam is spreading everywhere these days. I just wish fakers would steer clear of my religion. If it's not for you, don't join it. It's that simple. We're the religion of peace, not the religion of fakers and freeloaders.
Mildred O'Connell divorced me, and we're still fighting over custody of my son Amir because she doesn't want him to be raised in Islam. I was raised Muslim but I go to Masjid only sporadically. I'm honestly not the most religious person in the world but I still want my son Amir to know about the faith of his fathers. Mildred won't have it and she's likely to have her way since the family court judge, an old White dude, doesn't think much of Muslims. You can already guess the way this judge is going to rule in my case.
This really saddens me, folks. I love my son Amir and don't want to lose him. Mildred now hates me and hates all things Islamic. I treated her fairly throughout our marriage. I'm not one of those Muslim dudes who force their wives or girlfriends to wear the Hijab or anything like that. I honestly don't think it's any man's business to go around telling women what to wear. That's just how I roll, folks. I've tried to reason with Mildred but the bitch won't listen. I'm moving on with my life.
