Karen Hughes and monument hopping all in one entry
I haven't updated regularly like I intended to. So once again, I will attempt to recap the events of this summer, which is quickly slipping through my fingers despite my futile efforts to hold on.
During this incredible 3-month period I:
-Met with Under Secretary of State, Karen Hughes, for a private meeting with other young Muslim leaders. Contrary to my sister’s (joking) suspicions, Hughes did not gather all the young DC muslims in one room in order to ship us off to gitmo. Instead she listened to concerns we had and our suggestions for what this administration could do so that it isn’t despised by the Muslim world. The meeting itself was encouraging and fruitful, it remains to be seen what effect, if any, this will have on any actual policy.
-heard Chief of Staff Andrew Card talk about about September 11 as his reasoning for why people should get jobs in government.
-prayed Jumuah prayer in the Capitol
-watched the 4th of July fireworks on the mall next to the Washington Monument
-cooked dinner for 15 people on several occasions and learned that it’s not as hard as it sounds.
-went monument hopping at midnight
-headed preparations for MSN's biggest event: Dr. Sherman Jackson's speech at Howard U. on Islam and the BlackAmerican
-got into heated debates on democracy in the Middle East, the necessary religiosity levels of MSA leaders, the authenticity of hadith and Islamic scholars, and why most Muslim boys aren't ready for marriage
-learned that NU does not have the most liberal MSA ever. I think that honor is reserved for Georgetown...lol
-listened to jazz in the Smithsonian sculpture garden after post-work tapas
-met and listened to awesome speakers like Alex Kronemer (Unity Productions- the ones who made the Muhammad... movie), Sulyman Nyang on getting to know the rich history of Muslims in America; Altaf Hussain on the world refugee problem (one of the most touching and heart-wrenching sessions we’ve had)
-met the faces behind those familiar NPR voices (Nina Totenberg, Susan Stamberg, Robert Siegel, etc)
-met the awesome editor of Al Hayat newspaper, Salameh Nematt, and confirmed my career plans. i think...
-cheered on the Detroit Pistons with several die hard Michigan fans in the middle of a Georgetown restaurant.
-most importantly, I’ve met and befriended an amazing and eclectic group of people who have (forgive the cheesiness) enriched my life tenfold.
During this incredible 3-month period I:
-Met with Under Secretary of State, Karen Hughes, for a private meeting with other young Muslim leaders. Contrary to my sister’s (joking) suspicions, Hughes did not gather all the young DC muslims in one room in order to ship us off to gitmo. Instead she listened to concerns we had and our suggestions for what this administration could do so that it isn’t despised by the Muslim world. The meeting itself was encouraging and fruitful, it remains to be seen what effect, if any, this will have on any actual policy.
-heard Chief of Staff Andrew Card talk about about September 11 as his reasoning for why people should get jobs in government.
-prayed Jumuah prayer in the Capitol
-watched the 4th of July fireworks on the mall next to the Washington Monument
-cooked dinner for 15 people on several occasions and learned that it’s not as hard as it sounds.
-went monument hopping at midnight
-headed preparations for MSN's biggest event: Dr. Sherman Jackson's speech at Howard U. on Islam and the BlackAmerican
-got into heated debates on democracy in the Middle East, the necessary religiosity levels of MSA leaders, the authenticity of hadith and Islamic scholars, and why most Muslim boys aren't ready for marriage
-learned that NU does not have the most liberal MSA ever. I think that honor is reserved for Georgetown...lol
-listened to jazz in the Smithsonian sculpture garden after post-work tapas
-met and listened to awesome speakers like Alex Kronemer (Unity Productions- the ones who made the Muhammad... movie), Sulyman Nyang on getting to know the rich history of Muslims in America; Altaf Hussain on the world refugee problem (one of the most touching and heart-wrenching sessions we’ve had)
-met the faces behind those familiar NPR voices (Nina Totenberg, Susan Stamberg, Robert Siegel, etc)
-met the awesome editor of Al Hayat newspaper, Salameh Nematt, and confirmed my career plans. i think...
-cheered on the Detroit Pistons with several die hard Michigan fans in the middle of a Georgetown restaurant.
-most importantly, I’ve met and befriended an amazing and eclectic group of people who have (forgive the cheesiness) enriched my life tenfold.