This story was inspired by the masses of people all over the world in search of a place to call home. It is a fictional story, meant only to represent the dilemma of the displaced in a small way. There are many out there documenting true human experiences, and I am grateful for the critical work they do. What do I wish for? Since I’m one part dreamer and two parts realist, I wish for a world that doesn’t create refugees, but until then, I’ll settle for the humanity in each of us that makes sharing and hearing these important stories possible.
GLOSSARY
Ameen
Amen
aroos
bride
aush
noodle soup
azaan
call to prayer
b’isme-Allah
in the name of Allah/God
bachem
my boy/child
Bibi-
jan
Grandma-dear
Boba-
jan
Grandpa-dear
burqa
head-to-toe covering
chador
head scarf
dokhtar
daughter/girl
dua
prayer
Eid
holiday
espand
incense used to ward off the evil eye
fateha
funeral service
hamsar
spouse
iftar
evening meal to break Ramadan fast at sunset
inshallah
God willing
jan
/
janem
dear/my dear
jenaaza
burial ceremony
Jumaa
Friday
Kaka
Uncle
Khala
Aunt
Khanum
Lady
khastgaar
suitor
khormaa
dates (fruit)
Madar-
jan
Mother-dear
mahram
close male relative
mantu
ground-meat-filled dumplings
masjid
house of worship
moallim
teacher
nakhod
chickpeas
nam-e-khoda
praise God
naseeb
destiny
nazar
evil eye
nikkah
Islamic marriage ceremony
noosh-e-jan
to your health
Padar-
jan
Father-dear
purdah
veil/seclusion
qandem
my sweet
roshanee
light/fortune
sawaab
spiritual reward
sheerbrinj
rice pudding
shirnee
sweets/a symbolic tray of sweets used to signify acceptance of a courtship
sura
Qur’anic verse
tasbeh
rosary beads
wa-alaikum
and to you
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
NADIA HASHIMI is an Afghan American pediatrician living in suburban Washington, D.C. She is the author of the international bestseller The Pearl That Broke Its Shell.
WWW.NADIAHASHIMI.COM
FACEBOOK.COM/NADIAHASHIMIBOOKS
@NADIAHASHIMI
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