Shadeed Muhammad

Growing Up an American Muslim Army Brat Shadeed Muhammad

"Go back to your country! You do not belong here in the United States because you're a terrorist!" Harsh statements like these have been echoed towards Julde (Jul-DAY), a former United States Army brat, but these statements transpired after Julde began wearing the hijab in 2014. Just like many other American families, Julde's family suffered the aftermaths of the 9/11 attack, especially because her dad joined a continual war for six-months out of every year. Many people do not view Muslims as equally threatened by the 9/11 attacks provided that the "War on Terror" is illustrated as a war against the entire Muslim faith; however, this is not true because during the late 1990s Julde joined other Muslim military families on base to pray, eat Iftar dinner, and attend Jummah services. The women in Julde's family openly wore their hijab, but, soon, they slowly detach from wearing their hijab, to later become untraditional Muslim women. And it appeared at that moment, being Muslim at heart was good enough. Julde acquired some of her basic knowledge of Islam through military spouses who taught her to read in Arabic, explained various narratives of the Quran, and offered her valuable words of advice. Fitting in as a child was difficult being that Julde evidently did not celebrate Christmas, Kwanza, Easter, nor other prevalent holidays at school. After classmates questioned Julde's participation in holiday celebrations, they grasp an unexpected discovery that she is Muslim. This often led Julde to feel lonely as a U. S. Army Brat; as if Military brats do not have enough obstacles to face like continually changing their neighborhood, public schools and friends every few years. Now as an adult, Julde Ball wears her hijab to complete her Islamic faith and she undergoes a difference in how people treat her. Despite being cursed out, pushed, kicked, or ignored, Julde maintains wearing her hijab. The United States is Julde's country and as well as many other American Muslims who look like her. Julde wishes that her story can bring about future change for American Muslims.