Hi! I'm an ex-Muslim, let me see if I can answer some of your questions.
- The most important thing you have to figure out about your character is where they are from -- the practice of Islam is widely variant depending on both sect and region, and what sect you're likely to be from is influenced by where in the world you are from.
- How familiar strangers are with Islam varies widely, but in my experience, unless you live in a very diverse area or an area with a big population of Muslims, your average American knows very little. In my experience having to constantly educate other people about your religion is part of the American Muslim experience. I think NYC is probably better about this than other places, but I wouldn't know for sure.
I have had to explain: What the words "Muslim" and "Islam" mean because the person I was talking to didn't know that Muslim refers to a person who practices Islam
What halal is
Hijab discourse ad nauseaum
What Ramadan is
What Eid is
That Eid is not the equivalent of Christmas
Etc, etc.
- I will also add that many Muslims have traditional names in the same way Christians have names of Biblical origin, so it's worth thinking about your character's name and its origin. In the community I grew up it was really common to have three Faridas, three Fatimas, three Zahras, etc.
If you still have specific questions you can feel free to reach out to me.
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- The most important thing you have to figure out about your character is where they are from -- the practice of Islam is widely variant depending on both sect and region, and what sect you're likely to be from is influenced by where in the world you are from.
- How familiar strangers are with Islam varies widely, but in my experience, unless you live in a very diverse area or an area with a big population of Muslims, your average American knows very little. In my experience having to constantly educate other people about your religion is part of the American Muslim experience. I think NYC is probably better about this than other places, but I wouldn't know for sure.
I have had to explain:
What the words "Muslim" and "Islam" mean because the person I was talking to didn't know that Muslim refers to a person who practices Islam
What halal is
Hijab discourse ad nauseaum
What Ramadan is
What Eid is
That Eid is not the equivalent of Christmas
Etc, etc.
- I will also add that many Muslims have traditional names in the same way Christians have names of Biblical origin, so it's worth thinking about your character's name and its origin. In the community I grew up it was really common to have three Faridas, three Fatimas, three Zahras, etc.
If you still have specific questions you can feel free to reach out to me.