Penn State Abington boasts a variety of different students coming from different backgrounds from across the globe. Today we had the opportunity to speak with Wardah Ibrahim, who came all the way from Ramallah, Palestine. She educated us on her hometown and religion and how it shaped her into the person she is today.
Wardah was born in Philadelphia. At the age of 8, she moved to Palestine for eight years. For Wardah, her religion and traditions were a big part of her life in shaping her. Some religious traditions she remembers are going to the mosque every Friday and every holiday and trying to finish all of the holy Quran during the month of Ramadan.
Wardah gave us some insight into her religion. Wardah states: “As a Muslim we generally only have two national holidays. One right after Ramadan (the month of fasting) and the other is around 70 days later, when Muslims go to a pilgrimage to Haji. Both are mostly celebrated the same way; we go to the mosque in the morning and then home where our relatives come over to bless each other.”
Some fond memories that Wardah remembers growing up are going on school trips with classmates, going out on picnics and going to the amusement park every couple of weekends, mainly with her family, whom she is very close with today.
Wardah said that her home country, Palestine, is very different because it contains so many different cultures and religions. Not only Muslims, but also Christians and Jewish people call Palestine home. Also, it contains one of the holiest mosques, where everyone wishes to visit. This helped her learn more about what her religion is and how it should be practiced.
Living in Palestine taught her Arabic, the language in which she knows how to write and read.
After eight years of being in Palestine, Wardah moved back to Philadelphia along with her family who continue their lifestyle and religious traditions.
Our hometowns shape us and show us how we look at the world, leaving powerful imprints on us. We don’t have a say on how we come into this world, and that makes hometowns so special, because each one makes us unique. Wardah is very passionate about her religion and its traditions and has a very close-knit relationship with her family.
Next time you’re sitting next to someone, put your phone down and reach out and ask them about their hometown; you will learn a lot about your new friend.
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