My name is Mona Al-Rashid, and I'm a young Black woman living in the town of Ottawa, Province of Ontario. I got a story to share with you. It's kind of private but hey, I must unburden myself. If you saw me, I bet you would make all kinds of assumptions about me. I stand five feet eleven inches tall, decidedly curvy and big-bottomed, blessed or perhaps cursed with a curvaceous figure which I can't hide even underneath the conservative outfits I often wear. I was born in the town of Balho in the Tadjourah region of the Republic of Djibouti. Presently, I attend Carleton University in Canada's Capital region, and I'm leading a very interesting lifestyle.
A lot of people make assumptions about me because I'm a Black woman from a Muslim country and I almost always wear the hijab. I've lived in Canada for eleven years now. I never forgot where I came from, though. However, I must be true to myself. You see, I think all of us walk a fine line. Take my brother Ahmed for example. He's a tall, good-looking guy who works in the field of civil engineering. He is a graduate of the University of Calgary in metropolitan Calgary, Province of Alberta. He's married to this Lebanese Canadian woman named Samirah Bashir, and they have a son together, my adorable nephew little Ibrahim.
I am thankful to my brother for many things. He's responsible for getting me into Canada, and he still supports our relatives back in the Republic of Djibouti. He's a good man. Absolutely generous and friendly to all. However, he does have his faults. You see, my brother is bisexual. He's really into White guys, I don't know why. I wish he would admit it to himself but he always blames his drunken adventures in queer bars on the alcohol. I say alcohol doesn't have the power to make you suck dick or lick pussy if you didn't already have the inclination. You are what you are. Last time I went to visit my brother and his wife in the City of Calgary, he introduced me to his neighbor Alan Westlake. A tall, good-looking White guy with red hair and blue eyes. Alan is a lawyer, and is happily married to a Chinese Canadian woman named Anna Chang. They're the proud parents of Elisabeth Chang Westlake. I saw the way my brother looked at Alan and at once I knew these two were fooling around. They're both bisexual. What a world. A couple of hard-working, highly educated, successful men with wives and families. And they're fucking behind their wives backs. Canada is a wonderful place, isn't it?
Why am I mad at my brother? We are both Muslims and I know for a fact that Muslim society and culture is the most intolerant of all. I'm not bashing my faith, but I don't lie to myself and others about its practitioners shortcomings. If a Christian man walks away from his faith, no one will hurt him. If a Muslim man or especially if a Muslim woman turns their backs on Islam and declare themselves Christian, Buddhist, Hindu or Agnostic or whatever, there will be hell to pay. Islam always seeks converts but those who leave Islam are hated by all Muslims. Many times, ex-Muslims hide because they fear for their lives. I wonder if all those White women walking away from Christianity because of a fascination with Arab men and the ways of Islam really know what they're doing. Islam is like the Mob. Easy to join but you leave at your own risk. Sorry, but it must be said. Why am I saying that? Lately, I find myself in crisis. You see, just like my brother, I have same-sex desires. Unlike my brother, I don't hide who and what I am. I decided to join the Gays and Lesbians Alliance at Carleton University. I must be true to myself.