Shaka – bracelets made out of shells, here shown in different stages of the cutting and carving process. Currently, I’m in transit. I’m headed to New York to speak at the Muslim Protagonist conference at Columbia University. Just three weeks ago, I was in Dhaka living an entirely separate life. And for the interim it’s […]
Bookshelf with notebooks and small clay elephant. *** She made homes out of old boxes and bleached out pillowcases. She made homes out of too-heavy earrings that dragged down her ears. She made homes out of imperfect things. She made them out of whatever was convenient. Even now, I wouldn’t even know what to […]
I recorded my boro chacha’s stories about the Liberation War one hot summer afternoon in the village house in Kushtia. We went into his private room with the fan turned on, but it was still sweltering; every few seconds I would swat at a giant fly that had swirled in too close to the recorder, […]
I’m taking a rest (“air quotes”) day today, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have something for you to read! Check out my article on separating from home while at college printed in the Columbia Spectator. Here’s an excerpt: I’ve heard it called the “learning edge” by Pam Phayme, Director of Barnard’s Office of Diversity […]
I stare down the long dark tunnel trailing away from me, searching for the two pinpricks of light that would indicate the train’s arrival. Standing on the platform, watching the express pass by me and watching the frozen faces of passengers on their commute home, my stomach became soft, dropping like an empty sack to […]
Whenever we have the chance, my father and I dive into philosophical discussion. After dinner, before going to sleep, upon waking up (at the absurdly early time of 5:30am, mind you, because my body is still in time shift). We’ve been talking a lot about the abstract concept of home. I’ve talked about ‘home’ writ […]