Growing up as a Pakistani Muslim
in the predominately Caucasion suburbs of Irmo, SC truly taught me about the meaning of freedom of religion. Having the right to choose your own religion is a personal and definitive step in a person’s life and my experience as a minority in this community shed light on the significance of such a right protected by this country’s constitution. As a child attending masjid, the Islamic place of worship, with Columbia’s tiny Muslim community I noticed the unequal distribution of religions in that area. Because of having such a small Muslim population the masjid lacked the necessary funding to manage the upkeep to full extent. Right next door, across a fence and some remaining forestry, was a red brick brand new Presbyterian Church. The contrast of the beauty of the church and the cracking of the masjid’s cement was enough to make a ten year old aware of this difference. We watched as churchgoers arrived in their Sunday-best as we stood in the old clothes our mothers gave us because our new clothes would get dirty at the masjid. Looking back on it now, I feel as if it’s symbolism for the significant difference in the amount of Muslims and other religions but it also represents preserving our right to have a masjid. Despite all forces working against us as a community, we chose to live our lives proudly and to the best of our ability.
picture taken from Masjid Al Muslimiin website