ARIEL’S STORY

When did you first come to Ta’leef?
First time I came to Ta’leef was in 2015, to a Being Muslim class taught by Kamran which was still being held at American Islamic College. I had just recently moved to Chicago after finishing my undergrad in Milwaukee, WI. It was a new city, and I didn’t really have any friends. I befriended a friend during Ramadan whom I met at Chicago’s Downtown Islamic Center and added him on Facebook. I saw that he was interested or was going to a class called “Being Muslim” and I thought it would be a great chance to get to know more people in the city.

What is one of your fondest memories of/at Ta’leef?
I can’t really pinpoint one fond memory at Ta’leef.  Every time I think of one amazing experience, it is followed by another one, and another one. All I can say is that anytime I can see the hearts of those who come to Ta’leef heal, connect, become unburdened then that becomes a fond memory.

Why do you come to Ta’leef?
Mainly to chill with the people I love. The space and people have allowed me to reflect on who I am without judging myself. It has showered me with love that my only reaction to it is to pass along that love to someone else.

Tell me about your life from as far back as you can remember until now.
Although I was born in Jakarta, Indonesia in the early 90s, one of my earliest memories were of living in Queens, New York when I was perhaps 4-5 years old. I remember eating New York style pizza (best style FYI), my kindergarten, and my older brother throwing snowballs at me during the winter. I think this early experience played an impact on why I chose to go to the U.S. to get my college education. I started college in 2011, and I went to Wisconsin Lutheran College, which was a small Lutheran liberal arts school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. If you knew me, you would know that I chose Milwaukee, and a Lutheran school because the name sounded unique and “exotic” to my Indonesian mind. The classes I enjoyed the most were the theology classes, and I realized that I loved learning about God and being around God conscious people. I now live and work in Chicago and have since received a graduate degree from Loyola University Chicago. Today, more than any other time in my life, I am learning about my faith in Islam and work to be of service to my fellow humans!

If you could send out one message to the world, what would it be?
If there’s one thing I would let the people of the world know, is that I would implore them to be careful with the words they ascribe themselves to, as it impacts how one views their relationship with all of creation. God is the perfect Creator, and you are one of His creation.

Join our 1000 Hearts of Ta’leef Campaign this Ramadan and help us continue this work by giving $3/day to support individuals like Ariel. taleefcollective.org/donate #heartsoftaleef #1000heartsoftaleef #supporttaleef #arielsstory #Ramdan2020