As Salam Alaikum, dear reader. My name is Yasmin Hussein, and I'm a young Muslim woman of Somali descent living in the City of Ottawa, Ontario. Today is one of the happiest days of my life. Why is that, you may ask? The answer is quite simple, really. I am graduating from Algonquin College with a degree in accounting. Sadly, in this most emotional of days, my family isn't there.
Not because they don't know I am graduating but because they don't care. I'm not going to sugar coat things at this point. I, Yasmin Hussein, am an outcast in Somali Canadian culture. My own family has turned its back on me. You see, they've forsaken me because I fell in love with Steve Salomon, a handsome and sweet young Haitian man who happens to be of the Christian faith. For loving him, I am dead to my family.
On this day, where, surrounded by the smiling faces of my fellow grads, I yearned to see my parents and extended family, I felt more alone than ever. At least I did, until I saw my boo, Steve Salomon, flanked by his parents, and a few people I did not know. When I walked to the podium to receive my diploma from the school chancellor, a loud applause arose. All from the Salomon clan. I wasn't expecting that. Truth be told, it moved me to tears.
I had seen young men and women in caps and gowns receive their degrees while their families and friends cheered. I thought that when my turn came, the silence would be deafening. After all, I had no family in attendance. Well, on this day, I learned that family doesn't stop at blood. When I walked back to my seat, I saw Steve and his parents, waiving at me, laughing and smiling. I waved back at them, tears streaming down my eyes.
After the ceremony, we held a reception at the Salomon household, and I watched, amazed, as these people I once viewed as strangers treated me as if I were their own daughter. Hope you're enjoying your special day, Steve's Mom said to me. I smiled and nodded, then hugged the old Haitian lady fiercely. I thanked her profusely, and Steve smiled and nodded at his Dad, who winked at his son. That afternoon, I ate some truly delicious Haitian food, surrounded by people who clearly cared about me.
As I sat there, I watched Steve and his family. The Salomon clan was something else. What a wonderful people, I thought wistfully. I had met Steve's folks a few times before and their reaction toward me had been lukewarm at best. I bet good Haitian Catholic mothers don't expert their intelligent and well-behaved Haitian sons to bring home Hijab-wearing Somali Muslim girls. Not with so many Haitian Christian women around. Yet in spite of their misgivings, the Salomon's were throwing me a party and treating me with great kindness because they knew I loved their son Steve and that he loved me dearly.
I am beyond touched by the kindness and generosity of the Salomon clan. As I sat at the dinner table before the sumptuous feast prepared by Steve Salomon's mother, the lady of the house, I felt moved. No Somali family would go to such lengths to please their offspring if they did not approve of the person he or she was with. Trust me on that one. Haitians are something else. After this emotional day, I was ready to eat but Steve's Mom said that we had to say Grace.
I watched as every person at the table, male or female, young or old, bowed their heads. Steve's Mom nodded at her husband, and Steve's Dad cleared his throat before saying Grace. Thank you God in Heaven for this meal and bless those who prepared it and bless Yasmin who is graduating today, the old man said, and then everyone at the table said amen. I heard myself say amen, much to my immense surprise.