Epic Surprise

Recently, I experienced an epic surprise – the second biggest of my life- when my dearest sister Sabah threw an EPIC birthday bash for me for my EPIC birthday with almost a hundred people!  The biggest ever surprise was when our darling twins Sheema and Sonia were born, as in those days, ultrasounds were not done unless needed!  Actually, my dear friend Shaheen also threw a surprise baby shower for our firstborn, Mona, too and that was a total surprise also!

As I reflect back on that evening and all the planning that went into it, I am utterly humbled and moved by the love and caring all around me.  I am discovering the funny moments and close calls that happen for a big surprise party, and the power of the secret pact amongst the kids, Shahid, Sabah, etc., which amazingly stayed intact.  I was so touched by the out-of-towners that made it to my party, from high school friends like Kathy and Shahzad, to dear old friends like Rizwana and Naushad; my cousins Iftekhar Ahmed from Montreal; my cousin Tareq and Kate Aryne from Connecticut; and of course it was a delight to have my younger sister Farah also there as she was visiting Amijan.  I was delighted beyond belief that Imam Feisal and Daisy Khan made it, despite their incredibly busy schedules doing incredibly important work in this age of Islamophobia run amuk.  And all of Sabah’s and Omar’s friends who made it to the party – that was such a special touch, I was left speechless or “tube-lighted” I should say.  My husband is absolutely correct…my mouth engages before my brain! When it came my turn to thank everyone, I ended up roasting the guests.  I am so sorry if I surprised them too!

To Sabah: you are a one of a kind sister, best friend and partner.  I never would have imagined that you would work so hard for so long (6 months?) to make this happen. Thank you from the bottom of my heart – you have redefined sisterhood!

To Shahid, kids and kids-in-loves: I so appreciate all that you did to make this happen- Shahid – getting up in the night to erase a response to the e-mail list from our brother Pasha in Pakistan, as I was copied for some reason!  Creating a fake e-mail from your client for tickets to a Shahrukh Khan concert to convince me to go out on Saturday! and the kids and kids-in-loves plotting with Sabah.

To my family: I am so proud to call you family, starting with my mother Akhtar Farooq, and all the siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles that could make it or that were represented or not.  Omar thanks so much for inviting your friends and for helping out so much, even though it was your birthday a day before too!

To the Greek Brothers: Naushad, Murad, Shahzad – you guys had the best parties and the most fun attitude, and we were lucky to know you when we all lived in Queens.  That Shahzad ended up marrying by best friend, Kathy, is just icing on the cake and I am so happy that you all made the effort to come and join us.  It was lovely!

To Usman and Ahsin: you have raised Mona and Reza with us – at every picnic, party or event, you were there loving them and taking care of them. And later your kids got to know all four of mine, and for me, we are like a big family, always caring for each other, even if we meet once a year only!

To Roses Club: you are the best and most fun friends, I hope you know how much we enjoy our get-togethers.  We love hanging out with you – anytime!  The recent trip to Poconoes was an example of the spirit of friendship and love and celebration of life. Thanks for being who you are!

To Imam Feisal and Daisy Khan: thanks for making time despite your insane schedules and speaking at this event.  As you both said, we are like family and so lucky to be doing work that we so believe in.  May God give us strength and endurance, Ameen. www.asmasociety.org; www.wisemuslimwomen.org; www.cordobainitiative.org.

When you are surrounded by family and friends, and they make the time to join in your celebration, you cannot but acknowledge the greatness of God, who gave us so much.  May we return his favor and take care of his trust in us.  Each family member, each friend, each moment with each and all of them is a gift from heaven.  That evening I was so present to this gift, that it left me humbled and moved.  As my dear Chachajan Abdul Raouf says, Mino, you don’t even have any margin for complaint (shikayat ki koi gunjaish nahi hai)!  I realized again after this fantastic party that smiles and love is what we have to give, what we must give to make our world beautiful, even as we are surrounded by negativity and hate, as a group, as a faith, as nations, as communities, as a minority.  Our faith and culture have always told us to serve each other to serve God.  So one big birthday bash, which might seem a bit narcissistic at first blush, becomes a time to reach deeper inside to the deep reserves our Creator has given us.  So thank you to all of you who came and joined us.