MUSLIM GIRL

Not the tennis courts, nor the swimming pools; not the Olympic gymnasiums, nor films and music concerts for me. For, I am a Muslim girl

Not higher education if I am in Taliban country, nor the driving license if I live in Saudi Arabia, for I am a Muslim girl.

I am supposed to return home early and skip evening tuitions for, I am a Muslim girl.

I am expected to stay home while my brothers work and progress for, I am a Muslim girl.

And then a day will come when I will be married off too early in my years to a man who already has a wife for, I am a Muslim girl

And ever after that I shall hold my breath, lest he pronounce “talaq, talaq, talaq” whether in sanity or inebriated, whether out of will or completely unintended for, I am a Muslim girl

And should that misfortune befall me, I must wed another man, merely to be consummated, before I may return to the husband I was originally intended to live with for, I am a Muslim girl

Not the planning of a family, nor the liberty to defer motherhood; no permission to work like others for, I am a Muslim girl

But wait, I am waking up, for slept I have for far too long. And when I am fully awaken, beware, I hide within me the Shakti of Durga, the prowess of Razia.

Don’t write me off. Not just yet.