CONFIDENCE
Most everything begins with it. Most everything ends with it.

Most everything is based on it. Where you go depends on it.

How well you stand is grounded on it. Your move forward is guided by it.

Fun in your life is not without it. Courage is you living daringly with it.

Saying no to harm is embracing it. Liking yourself is contingent on it.

CONFIDENCE

Loving fully is marked by it. Walking unknown paths accompanies it.

Living morally is founded on it. Evil abandoning you is because of it.

Knowing who you are comes from it. An accommodating way projects it.

Speaking truth is based upon it. Behaving justly distinguishes it.

Risking being rejected proclaims it. Learning from mistakes adds to it.

CONFIDENCE

An obedient worshipper demands it. A skilled worker fosters it.

Embracing differences boast it. Weathering hardships manifest it.

A variety of experiences build it. Trusting in predestination solidifies it.

Taking care of oneself conveys it. Cherishing one's power honors it.

Befriending a new person necessitates it. Intolerance for disregard embodies it.  

CONFIDENCE

Pursuing the best demonstrates it. Using your talents communicates it.

Respecting those in your life exhibits it. Showing gratitude is an example of it.

Accepting acts of love displays it. Valuing others requires it.

Admitting one's faults obliges it. Asking pertinent questions confirms it.

Embracing criticism reveals it. Humbleness and kindness illustrate it.

CONFIDENCE

Dressing uniquely unveils it. A parent's expression of approval shapes it.

Viewing it in another encourages it. Communion with a Higher Power gives one it.

Spending time in God's embrace and honoring Him shines it. Standing up against injustice and being a voice for the oppressed exudes it.
CONFIDENCE  

by Najwa Kareem

One of the best at it
moving efficiently
he cleans up his mess
using all the tools in his kit
Go on my brother
I knew you'd do it

Even when others don't understand
he cleans up his mess
working hard
doing what is needed
until all damaged parts
are buried in the sand

I say looking up
Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem
Please bring him again to the deen

He backs out strong
Brother's muscles moving
brother's gone

Do you need help?
randomly appearing another asked
Allah's voice speaking unmasked

I say looking up
my hands open to the sky
Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem
Please bring him again to the deen

He backs out strong
no need to look behind
the bright sight ahead
moving him right along

By: Najwa Kareem

Written on 12/22/21

Marjan Asi worked super hard to get her Ph.D.
And now she can celebrate with her really happy and proud family

A graduation party with a piece of cake and a cup of Persian or Arab tea
Allah hu Akbar, Rah-rah, Woo-hoo, Way To Go
for the one and only

Independent and determined,
Marjan by herself moved to a new land
leaving behind her beloved parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Asi
What a fantastic job they did grooming she

Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies is what she precisely chose to study
With a goal in mind and Allah in her heart,
she pursued it to the end
for the betterment of we

Marjan Asi with a Ph.D.
Oh my God, Unbelievable, I knooow, I'll say it to many

Asking at Eid prayer,
wondering how she's doing it with a toddler son and a new baby
My husband,
He's over there,
He helps a lot, she said to me

Like with everything,
it took cooperation
walking and working together,
she and her family tree

Marjan Asi with a Ph.D.
From a top world ranked university
In a subject area regarded supreme
by The Highest Deity

You did it, my friend,
Marjan, Dr. Asi
Shukran Lillah, Shukran Jazilan,
Al hamdulilah,
I've said it to THE/thee

By: Najwa Kareem

Raids, rockets, guns, slaughter          
any way to **** my friends’ daughters, my friends’ brothers, my friends’ mothers, my friends’ fathers.

I see your ash covered faces, I see your blood streaming, I see your tears dropping. I see your still bodies unprotected, I see your bullet covered corpses lying flat, I see your open wounds throbbing      
Calling on you to keep fighting. Urging you to continue shouting. Begging you to carry on uniting.            

I’m here for you in a hidden place until we meet. You’ve been there for me in Gaza’s streets.    
    
Like our beloved Prophet, you’re suffering so          
Yet you keep giving us a martyrdom show.  
  
I remember you. I’m obliged not to eat. It’s Ramadan you know and it’ll end with a feast. But my dear friends will be missing at the table. I’ll be missing too but not because I’m gone. Because I’ll be standing up holding my Palestinian friends’ hands until the morning’s dawn.  

Devils with legs, Satans with money...                    
How dare you try to smother our faith, ruin my friends’ homes, steal their three-shaded bands.                                        
Who do you think you are? King of Iran? You’d do better to follow the Quran.

At least be a real Jew, at least be a real Christian, at least be a real Muslim. Netanyahu, Obama, Al Saud.
You heard me! Does your God approve of your devil worship? Does your God approve of your insanity? Does your God approve of your missing heart?

Just because you hate the truth - The Power it has – Its power to positively change the world. To stop you in your tracks. Don’t take that out on me. I AM THEM in a different part of the world. Like them, I AM HUMAN.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
No way would you bulldoze yourself. No way would you set fire on yourself. No way would you drop bombs on yourself. So why do this to my friends? Why do this to me?

Listen! My oppressed friends are dying and much of the world is crying. The planet Earth is quickly frying.
Do you not see…"Palestine is the Issue."  Thank you Imam Asi.

My dear friends facing great oppression - I will not turn my head away. My soul will not act as though you don’t matter. As though you don’t exist. As though I don’t care. I do! I’m bleeding too and I feel for you. I extend my hand and give you Salam. I embrace you - in your time of urgent need, in your time of struggle.

LONG LIVE PALESTINE! LONG LIVE MY OPPRESSED FRIEND!    

By: Najwa Kareem
July 9, 2015

Raids, rockets, guns, slaughter           
any way to **** my friends’ daughters, my friends’ brothers, my friends’ mothers, my friends’ fathers.

I see your ash covered faces, I see your blood streaming, I see your tears dropping. I see your still bodies unprotected, I see your bullet covered corpses lying flat, I see your open wounds throbbing      
Calling on you to keep fighting. Urging you to continue shouting. Begging you to carry on uniting.             

I’m here for you in a hidden place until we meet. You’ve been there for me in Gaza’s streets.    
    
Like our beloved Prophet, you’re suffering so          
Yet you keep giving us a martyrdom show.   
   
I remember you. I’m obliged not to eat. It’s Ramadan you know and it’ll end with a feast. But my dear friends will be missing at the table. I’ll be missing too but not because I’m gone. Because I’ll be standing up holding my Palestinian friends’ hands until the morning’s dawn.  

Devils with legs, Satans with money...                     
How dare you try to smother our faith, ruin my friends’ homes, steal their three-shaded bands.                                        
Who do you think you are? King of Iran? You’d do better to follow the Quran.

At least be a real Jew, at least be a real Christian, at least be a real Muslim. Netanyahu, Obama, Al Saud.
You heard me! Does your God approve of your devil worship? Does your God approve of your insanity? Does your God approve of your missing heart?

Just because you hate the truth - The Power it has – Its power to positively change the world. To stop you in your tracks. Don’t take that out on me. I AM THEM in a different part of the world. Like them, I AM HUMAN.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 
No way would you bulldoze yourself. No way would you set fire on yourself. No way would you drop bombs on yourself. So why do this to my friends? Why do this to me?

Listen! My oppressed friends are dying and much of the world is crying. The planet Earth is quickly frying.
Do you not see…"Palestine is the Issue."  Thank you Imam Asi.

My dear friends facing great oppression - I will not turn my head away. My soul will not act as though you don’t matter. As though you don’t exist. As though I don’t care. I do! I’m bleeding too and I feel for you. I extend my hand and give you Salam. I embrace you - in your time of urgent need, in your time of struggle.

LONG LIVE PALESTINE! LONG LIVE MY OPPRESSED FRIEND!    

By: Najwa Kareem
July 9, 2015

Hijab is my crown
shaped in a circle
around my head
like that of a full moon
bringing light
from the One
who has commanded me
to wear it
to my face

Hijab is my crown
shaped in a circle
around my head
like a merry-go-round
rotating with a joyful force
in places near and far
illuminating its power
a reflection of my soul
and inner beauty

Hijab is my crown
shaped in a circle
around my head
the way whirling dervishes move
we're so high
aspiring nearness to Allah Masha'Allah
our act of wearing hijab daily
deserving of much respect
and Insha Allah
The Seventh Heaven

Hijab is my crown
shaped in a circle
around my head
like a spinning wheel
many made
in different colors
and in different textures
each brightening the world
and when wearing it
like Khadijah (AS), Fatimah (AS), and Aisha (RA)
attracts attention of the best kind

Hijab is my crown
shaped in a circle
around my head
like Big Ben
I'm so high
dignified
a visible ambassador
of Islam
saying no to immodesty
and saying yes to our Majesty

Hijab is my crown
shaped in a circle
around my head
like a halo
starting my day with Bismillah
and looking into the mirror
to carefully donn it
I remember
I'm doing this to help men
married and unmarried
from sinning
and to protect myself
from impurity and immoral acts
as
Hijab is my crown
for me a Queen

By: Najwa Kareem

In the Nahi house, they wed in nineteen ninety seven
Chilly and brisk on an Autumn day,
it was hard to know it on the inside,
their faces glowing like that of heaven

Rokh & Nahi, looking of young Hollywood,
a beauty in a photo
resembling one of Nahi's mom and pop's,  
my sister T figuring it would
No thought in their guests' minds,
this is not going good

Intimate, lively, and buzzing the atmosphere,
People happily conversing, many one on one
I overheard big brother joking with Nahi about you're gonna get some

I wonder now what were the parents, one of Rokh's high in the skies
feeling
as they witnessed the coming together of their daughter and their son
Echoing Grand Nahi,
Bryan would say,
You're not two people
Now, you are one

In these modern times,
many married couples don't last
because of their self centeredness and superficiality
Hopefully in each other,
RokhNahi have found peace and tranquility,
not to mention, namaste

This twosome's souls,
sweet as Nokesville's Pumpkin Pie
and that I can assure you, is the truth and no lie
A wedded pair I can understand
because their love is still saying, Yes, we'll make it land

Like the communion between lovely, white doves,
I'm guessing in their rural nest, there's little push and shove
Mr. & Mrs. a many years,
one tarot card's telling
a contentful matrimony with few tears

Surely in their twenty three year span,
they've been tempted to eat from the forbidden tree
with all of its lustful allure and ornaments calling Rokh or Nahi
Their commitment to God stronger than their commitment to each other
has kept them from dropping to a level of single me,
and Wow, from falling, two apples quickly from the tree

Twenty three years, I'll always be right there
Two kids later,
we think they'll make it to their rocking chairs

Happy Anniversary, onward to planet Mercury
These going strong astronauts are traveling fast,
Allah willing, they'll continue moving on full blast

RokhNahi twenty three,
a long standing he & she
The road to their future
is complementary, free
and for happily ever after now,
each toast to we

By: Najwa Kareem