Letter to the Editor

I really enjoyed reading your article in the Kernel today. I’m glad it was a positive experience for you. I really appreciated your “lesson learned” that the veil is about modesty and defining yourself by your personality and goals, not your looks. I believe it’s an essential value in Islam. Men live by the same attitude that our “value” as people is measured by our behavior, deeds, and how “good” we are as human beings, and not by superficial values such as looks or abilities (showing off).

I just wanted to thank you for what you’ve done. I try to reach out and represent my culture and faith positively day by day, and I’m sure many Muslims feel the same way. But our efforts often seem to have no effect when one black sheep spoils the entire image and we have to start over. It’s refreshing to read about a journalist reaching out from the other end. It gives me hope that someday, perhaps in the near future, all cultures can meet somewhere half way.

Samir Rawashdeh

Electrical & Computer Engineering PhD Student