---

Imagine something that happened seven years ago coming back to haunt you. I am a 16-year-old Muslim who goes to Attleboro High School.

What is a Muslim? According to a Google search there are more than 83 different sites available, but not one definition.

Most people only think of one thing when they hear the word Muslim and that is Osama bin Laden.

The 9/11 tragedy had nothing to do with me, yet people still ask me questions about it. I know just as much as any other American.

Muslim is one of many different cultures. People who don't really know who Muslims are should know that we're not all terrorists. Our culture doesn't require us to "have no life," and most of us are proud to be Muslims. I know I am. When I came to the United States in 1998 I felt like I stepped into a world with freedom. After comparing the many rules I had to obey in Pakistan to America, I have come to appreciate this country. The word America means liberty to me.

Although the world is changing day to day and there hasn't been enough freedom, it still feels like there's hope everywhere.

There are many rules Muslims have to obey including: praying five times a day, reading the Quran (Bible), and following what the Bible requires. Women and girls may not show their legs or upper body. This means no tank tops, shorts or bathing suits. They are also required to wear a head scarf. Additionally, you are not permitted to have boyfriends or girlfriends until later in life, until the person is ready to marry.

This is where many questions arise. "How do you maintain all of this?" is one I hear a lot. I try my hardest and take it as a challenge for myself.

Being brought up differently than most of my friends can prove to be a hassle, but I enjoy knowing that I can overcome those obstacles on my own.

I was born in Pakistan, where it gets up to 108 degrees in the summer, and I've learned to ignore the heat in America. People are at the beach in skimpy bikinis, lying out in the sun, while I'm sitting at home in full clothing reading one of Edgar Allen Poe's books.

Back to the rules - the food group. Muslims do not eat meat from pigs. Other meat must be Halal, which is what we call made "the right way." There are a lot of different items that have to be made "the right way."

One thing most Muslims are known for is fasting. During Ramadan Muslims fast for a month. We eat before sunrise and after sunset. I receive many questions on this subject as well. "Wow, how do you not eat?" or "No wonder you're skinny." Well it's not because I fast for a month, it's simply because I have a fast metabolism.

On a lighter note, there are Muslim weddings. We do not celebrate a wedding for only one day, they usually last many days. Before the ceremony there are Dholkies (doe-ul-keys), which is when we visit the bride and groom's house every night or every other night and sing and practice the dance performances that the young ladies perform at the Mehndi.

Following the Dholkies, we have a day called Mehndi (Meh-un-dee) where women have henna done on their hands, arms or feet. Henna is tattoo designs that wash off after a few days. However, the area the henna is applied to can not be bothered for about three hours or until it dries for good color results. The young ladies also wear the same color clothing and perform dances. Color varies depending on what the bride wants her theme to be. Instead of wearing white, most Muslims wear a red langa (a dress that includes a long skirt with a long blouse) while the men wear black or tan Shirwanis (a shirt that goes to about the knees and pants.)

When the reception is finished we have a Valima (Val-ee-ma), when the daughter finally leaves and moves in with her new husband. Pakistani weddings are a blast, and even more exciting when it's someone from your family. Everyone knows you, and most weddings have well over 300 people attending.

Most Americans enjoy summer because there are many more activities to take part in compared to winter. Although that is the case in many situations, I enjoy winter over summer. Foremost, I fit in with the crowd because everyone is wearing pants and sweatshirts like me. Also, we can go ice skating, snow tubing, to the movies, and make snowmen, and still fit in.

In the summer I don't like going to the beach. I'm not sure about anyone else but I hate being the only one dressed in full clothes while sitting on the sand with the sun beating down. It takes away the point of being at the beach - to cool off, tan, and have a great time.

Sometimes going out can be a struggle. I have to look through my wardrobe to find something that doesn't make people think, "Is she crazy? It's 89 degrees outside." It's even more annoying for me because I am one of those unlucky people who cares about what others think about her, so being a Muslim seems even harder.

There's just one thing I don't understand and hopefully one day as a parent I will. My parents tell me to adapt to this country and be an American. I have citizenship now and am no longer an alien. I am an American, yet, I can't do simple things with my friends. We all take things for granted and what most people are able to do, they don't even take the time to think about and appreciate.

I am sitting and complaining about the things I can't do. But, overall I believe I have the best friends I could ask for and an amazing family. Being a Muslim is not misery; it's just a unique way of life. The religion, itself, taught me a lot more than I thought it would. From discipline, all the way to not coming home drunk, I have learned many great lessons. I now have patience and, moreover, I have come to the realization that when I grow up I want to be a forensic scientist.

Considering that everyone reading this ramble lives in America, we all know only what the news tells us. So please, next time you see me, don't ask me how Osama bin Laden is doing.