Alvida, Muharrum

For my readers: If you come across words and phrases you don’t recognize, which I’m sure you will, I urge you to do your research. This set of reflective vignettes is my farewell to Muharrum, but perhaps my introduction to you. Meet me halfway. Tonight marks the fortieth day following Ashura, chehlum in Urdu and … Continue reading Alvida, Muharrum →

love as an act of worship

Loving is spiritual and arguably cannot be separated from worshipping. Byun-Chul Han, author of The Disappearance of Rituals: A Topology of the Present, notes, “It is no coincidence that the word ‘religion’ comes from relegare, to focus the attention. All religious praxis is an exercise of attention. The temple is a place of deep attention. According to … Continue reading love as an act of worship →

meals with m

parts two & three are on their way xx Part One: A confession over a plate of biryani I first cooked for M a few weeks into seeing each other. What she had said in passing about wanting a plate of homecooked biryani was translated into a demand for me. I was on a mission. … Continue reading meals with m →

father’s daughter

When I say that I grew up “without a father,” I mean that I grew up with his absence. His absence in my life is its own tangible and alive being that I’ve interacted with. It is not akin to having a ghost lingering in your life as much as it is a clingy pet … Continue reading father’s daughter →

Kinship as a Practice of Power

*ANTH 370 Midterm* Kinship as a practice of power is best understood in the context of the self as a coexisting and participating agent in a community, as there is no kinship without an agent complementing the self. These multiple selves in a community exist in various ways to each other, creating orders such as … Continue reading Kinship as a Practice of Power →

Narrative as a Nexus Between Philosophy and Technical Skills

written for a course in philosophical discourse Narrative is an ever-evolving concept in rhetoric that both classic and contemporary philosophers apply unique interpretations. In essence, narrative is a rhetorical device that aims to elicit specific emotions from an audience to inspire an expanded way of thinking. Narrative is an outstanding concept in philosophy due to … Continue reading Narrative as a Nexus Between Philosophy and Technical Skills →

Opioid Addictions

Response essay for a pharmaceuticals course. Opioid addictions are not a new affliction in human history. It can be argued that opioid addictions in Ancient China were a symptom of the culture that promoted its use as it was easily accessible for people throughout the socioeconomic hierarchies. Given that there were multiple wars fought regarding … Continue reading Opioid Addictions →

What Does it Mean to Be Human?

Completed on April 8th, 2020, for an honor's sophomore-level archeology course. Loneliness is more than a feeling, it’s a torturous state of mind. In fact, loneliness in humans impacts our physical and mental health. It can lead to or worsen mood disorders such as depression and anxiety and can manifest physically, increasing the risk of … Continue reading What Does it Mean to Be Human? →

Child Marriage in Pakistan

Completed on August 16th, 2020, for a sophomore-level political science course. Across cultures, millions of children are victims of child marriage. According to UNICEF, child marriage refers to the forced formal or informal union between a child under the age of eighteen with an adult or another child (2020). Although child marriage impacts both boys … Continue reading Child Marriage in Pakistan →

Global Politics & Art

Completed on December 14, 2020, for a global humanities course. Former Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, believed, “The art of a people is a true mirror to their minds.” For centuries, humans have been creating art to express themselves. We’ve created worlds of fiction, capture physical sites, and express our love, grief, joy, etc. … Continue reading Global Politics & Art →