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

I am Muslim, and I am not Haraam.