When I went to live in Europe for three years for the first time in my life I had contradicting feelings. I was so excited but at the same time, as an Arab and a Muslim, I was worried. I had a lot of fears: will I be accepted? Shall I face any racial attacks? What about discrimination? I am not alone. I have kids that will have to go to school on a daily basis. My veil on my head reveals my identity. How can I deal with my prayers when they are due in time? What about the food? Will I be able to purchase ”halal” meat? Celebrating our special occasions was a lump in the throat to remember with this bitter taste of loneliness.

However, I landed at Heathrow Airport. From the very first moment, I was greeted with a smile. The same smile travelled with me from London to Scotland and in Glasgow I reached my final destination. Three years were ahead and I was looking in awe to my coming days. 

Soon, I was at the school with my children. I was surprised by a diverse collection of students’ names and ethnic backgrounds. Another warm smile welcomed us. A special teacher was designated to help them as non-native speakers until she was sure that they could linguistically fit in. When it was lunch time, a “halal” menu was served for Muslim students with special dietary requirements. 

I was surprised yet happy. Ramadan, our holy month of fasting, was neigh. The head teacher sent me a congratulating letter asking about my own preferences to my children through this month and whether I would like them to participate in the break or just take their time off indoors with a book! She also asked if I would like them to read any Islamic literature or she could just recommend a good book. I was speechless with such tolerance! Not only did she think of their fasting requirements but also the genre of the books they should read in such a holy month!

After Ramadan was time to celebrate the “Eid” and so was my first encounter with Glasgow Central Mosque. All the earth map was present. I met people from a lot of countries that I only heard about in geography lessons. People from all ethnic backgrounds, languages and colours were present to pray then celebrate. Natives were present as well with a warm smile and few Arabic words. Food was served from all international cuisines. I was amazed at a parade of costumes from all over the world. Everyone was proud of his original identity and nationality.

We were all sewn in a colorful diverse canvas. I was welcomed. I was accepted. This cosmopolitan community I lived in gave me an actual lesson of peaceful coexistence. Life there was not a bed of roses all the way long. I was subject to many racial attacks and hate incidents. Yet, this did not cause me to change my mind or my stance. I tried to understand their motives and forgive them. “Man is averse to what he is ignorant of.” Ignorance to what the “Other” is the cause of many, if not all, problems. 

I was part of this community of human beings from all over the world living together in the same palace. I integrated in a diversified array of people who took the extra mile to study, work or immigrate. Maybe not everyone shared the same language but we shared the same smile and that was more than enough. Happy Eid everyone!