I am Muslim

<sub>As a Muslim, I do not follow tradition blindly
As a Muslim, I do not conform to new age views without evaluation
As a Muslim, I am constantly self-reflecting
As a Muslim, I give charity and smile to strangers
As a Muslim, I believe in a non-human, non-gendered, unimaginable God

As a Chinese Muslim, I feel unrecognized and isolated by my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters
As a Chinese Muslim, I feel unrecognized and isolated by the American media
As a Chinese Muslim, I feel equally hated by the American media
As a Chinese Muslim, I am thankful to have seen so many different perspectives at my age
As a Chinese Muslim, I feel closer to Allah

As a Muslim artist, I do not have religious ultimatum
As a Muslim artist, I am criticized for not devoting my art to my religion completely and blatantly
As a Muslim artist, I devote myself instead to universal messages in hopes of reaching a wider audience
As a Muslim artist, I fully love and indulge in the visual world created for us by God
As a Muslim artist, I prove people wrong not by shoving my religion in their face, but showing them I am just a person like everyone else

As a Gay Muslim, I believe in love above hate.
As a Gay Muslim, I have been through constant, endless torment for simply loving someone.
As a Gay Muslim, I have become infinitely more compassionate and understanding to others.
As a Gay Muslim, I have found deeper, purer faith in Allah.
As a Gay Muslim, I vow to never let my faith put others in danger, I vow to protect others who are bombarded by blind faith.

This is me.
I am constantly torn
I am always falling
I am sheltered
I am afraid to speak
But I am insanely proud</sub>

This was mainly for myself, to remind myself what it means to be me.
And to never give in to hate or anger.

Thanks to my friends for being the best, most accepting, most loving, and most wonderful family in the world.
Thank you for a great 21st birthday, and reminding me of the most important things in life.

Ask me any questions you like. I may choose to reply or not

[updated May 21, 2012]