Frame of mind

The first picture is a photo of an Islamic Mosque Foundation. It is located at 7360 W 93RD ST, Bridgeview, IL. The picture was taken with my phone on regular camera. Most people say Bridgeview is like an Arab town, I can agree to that because there’s lots of Arab store and multiply people living there. The Muslims holy day is every Friday. The mosque is always full on Fridays for the Duhar prayer, which is around 12pm. Allah ordered Muslims to pray at five set times of a day. In Arabic it is called a Masjid. It simply means the place of prostration because speaking you can make a mosque any where in the world as long as a Muslim kneels to prostate. Muslims can pray to Allah at any time, to begin the prayer they start off “Allahu Akbar” meaning God is great, raising the hands to the ears or shoulder. Praying is such a beautiful aspect of life. I just started praying about a year ago and ever since I started praying everything has been amazing. For an example I don’t worry much because everything is in Gods hands. I started a job that I’ve been wanting for a while. Praying just made everything 100% easier for me; I’ve just been going with the flow. This photo means a lot to me because it’s by holy place, its just not any ordinary mosque; I’ve been to summer school there. I’ve been going there ever since I was little. It's my happy place for sure. Love everything about the mosque and the whole atmosphere. In the short story “The cameras eye” by Barthes’ Camera Lucida she says, “Photographs can tell me this much better than painted portraits”. This quote really ties in to what i had said. For the non Muslims they don't know what the mosque is but once they see a picture of it, might understand it more. Lucida had way more to say but that quote really caught my eye.

The second picture which is a Palestine outline keychain. Picture was taken with my phone on regular camera. Its located on my key chain. This keychain is my favorite one because it reminds me where I'm from and who I am . Our flag color is red, white green and black. Palestine is one the the holy countries for muslims because of Jerusalem. Some may argue and say its Israel not Palestine in my perspective its Palestine, I can go on and on with this argument but thats not what I'll be talking about. The media never shows what Palestine is going through, the kids dying each day, the houses being bombed for no reason. Honestly break my heart seeing all the videos and what my Palestinians go through everyday. Palestine is such a beautiful country lots of people are scared to travel there from what media shows them. Anyways both of my parents come from Palestine born and raised. My dad is from a village called Yalo and my mom is from a village called Beit iksa. I myself grew up in America, my parents went through a-lot to come here and live there first couple years here without knowing any english. As me and my sister grew up we both would help them translate. It was difficult for me because obviously Arabic was my first language I was put in ELL classes ever since I went to school. I eventually tested out of that class, I felt embarrassed going to those classes but I look back and appreciate how much they helped me. Anyways that keychain means a-lot to me, not only its where I came from. My uncle who recently passed away gave me that when he went overseas, so I treasure that. I don't want to go into detail because his death is one of my other pictures that I choose to talk about.

The third picture is a photo of the Freedom Tower (akaWorld Trade Center) in New York city. The Freedom Tower is located at 285 Fulton St, New York, NY 10007. What happened on September 11th, 2001? A day that will be remembered and never forgotten, a day that many innocent people died because of a terrible tragedy that happened on September 11th, 2001 at the World Trade Center in New York City. It used to be called the twin tower, until September 11, 2001. One of the tower collapsed from a hijack attack on 09-11-2001. Many people died and many others were lucky enough to make it out alive. That day was horrifying but I was born on the same day. This photo means a-lot to me because I was always bullied from the day I was born. People would crack jokes and make fun of me. In elementary school I would celebrate my birthday on September 10th, bring cupcakes for my classmates. The photo means a-lot to me because I can relate to it. I can relate to it because how the doctors treated my mother when she was in labor. When Lucida stated "When we define the photograph as a motionless image, this does not mean only that the figures it represents do not move; it means that they do not emerge, do not leave: they are anesthetized and fastened down, like butterflies". That relates to my photo because I feel the pain that people went there on that day and how scared they are to enter that building. I hate celebrating my birthday because people remember there loved ones on that day. Whatever done is done now we just take it in and have better TSA and more government to hold down the airport so nothing like that could ever happen again.

The fourth picture is a photo of my uncles grave on July 17,2019 located at 11875 Archer Ave, Lemont, IL. Abed Salma is my fathers older brother. His only brother they exactly look alike. We are all born to die, everyone goes through life fearing our fate which in the end is always death. We've cried for the losses of our dearest friends sometimes in grief and sorrow other times in joy. I must admit even I am afraid of death. I guess what I really fear is saying good bye. Kissing a loved one one last time and never getting to see them again. I know because I have felt this pain. Not only once but three times, my grandfather when I was 17, my brother when I was 10 and now my dear uncle at 18. My uncles death really hit me hard, seeing someone you love dead in front of you messes up your lifestyle. My uncle had diabetes that cant kill you. He wasn't healthy well he didn't know that he wasn't healthy. My uncle didn't have an insurance to go see the doctor and go do check ups. One day he was at the gym and had a heart attack. He passed away right there and then. We got the phone call that no one wants to hear, rushed to the hospital to see him. The doctors took him straight to the surgical room to operate autopsy on him. Later on we found out he had a closed heart valve. This really broke my heart if only he went to the doctors for a check up he would still be here with us. He was my second father, he taught me so much. The good and bad writing about this topic really tears me up. I cant help but cry he was gone for a stupid reason. Going to the gym to stay fit but ends up passing away. You never know when its your time to go, please don't get upset with people you love. I went through depression when I lost my uncle it was a sudden death that no one expected. I wish I can hug him one more time at least say goodbye. Theres this quote "The biggest mistake we make in life is thinking we have time.." Thats absolutely true, don't wait get the item that you want, buy that car you've always wanted. Trust me be happy with your life, its nice to save but spoil your self don't be selfish with your self or others. Money comes and goes spend it get what you desire. Anyways this photo means alot to me because no matter how you looked or your wealth at the end of the day you'll be in the ground waiting for God to enter you in hell or heaven. His death taught me nothing in this life is worth stressing about, be you and appreciate everything you have.

The fifth picture is an Allah vase. Located at my house. This vase means a-lot to me because every time I look at it reminds me of my religious beliefs. I love my culture everything about it is understanding and beautiful. Islam is the religion of the Muslims, a monotheistic faith regarded as revealed through Muhammad as the Prophet of Allah. My mother decorated the whole house with a holy quote so the evil eye couldn't harm us. Our religion is strict by not showing too much skin to no tattoos allowed because god created you with perfect skin. Our religion forbids a-lot that other religions don't. Im not saying muslims are perfect no one is but our religion makes total sense, for an example no intimacy before marriage, no drinking or smoking. God is watching your every move, so its very strict in our religion. Yes girls well woman have to wear a head scarf to hide there hair its to show respect for a woman's body. Anyways the Allah vase is located in a glass china because its valuable