My New Life in New York

It's been almost 3 weeks since my arrival... Boringnye duduk di tengah2 bandar.... kiri kanan bangunan bentuk sama jer.... very dull... and dusty... but I'm so blessed being here. It's really open my heart n my mind on the ukhwah Islamiah which in my opinion, dah kian luput di negara sendiri. Everywhere I go.. on the street, in the park, in the subway, in the shopping mall, in the library... I always blessed with salam from the Muslim people over here no matter what their gender, age, color and race are. I'm regconized as a Muslim woman by the scarf that i wear. Most of the people here are friendly regardless of religion. And Muslim people tend to be more friendly when they meet other Muslim. Offering help is the culture although they don't even know each other. I was offered with help few times. When I was alone first time using the subway that crowded with people, tercengang mcm rusa masuk kampung with folded big map in my hand, a 'mat saleh' guy approached me "Assalamualaikum sister... do u speak english?" I said yes. "You seem of needing help. Would u like me to show u direction of where u wanna go?". Memang tengah terkial2 pun tengok map bagak masa tu.....

And just last night, we (me, makcik and Hanna) went to the Food Emporium and there was a 'mat gagak' (Negro) working there greeted us, "Assalamualaikum Sisters, Ramadhan Mubarak". I greeted back and he said " Would u like me help to find what u're looking for?" I said "It's ok, we'll b fine" and he replied " I'll b in this row if u need my assistance, just let me know".

I think apart from wanted to help, these guys were also telling me that "hey! u're not alone...we are Muslim too... pleased to meet you..." And on the other day, I got in the subway, there was a 'gagak' lady in the train reciting yassin (hhmmm... tak penah nampak lak org baca yassin dlm LRT kat M'sia...). She stopped reciting when she saw me got in, smile and greeted my with salam before continued her yassin. Alhamdulillah..... I felt with love and care by the Muslim bothers and sisters here in Manhattan whom I barely knew at all... which i never feel this way in my home country... but I also had taken things for granted in my own country esp. bab2 bagi salam ni... more comfortable of saying "Hi!" instead of "Assalamualaikum".

Ok... enough of sounding soo ustazah, everyday has a new story to tell... so far baru sempat jln2 around mid and upper manhattan and queens. tu pun tak abis explore lagi. Shopping habis2an kat Macy's.... cas2 mcm org kaya... hahhahha.... kopak dah ni... so dok diam2 kat rumah.