against Muslims before it reaches a crescendo. I prepared to turn off my
computer, happy and content, until I caught a bizarre article out of the
corner of my eye. The headline? “Twitter erupts with calls to ban Islam.”
I scrolled frantically through the comments, unable to believe my eyes.
“You just can’t trust followers of Islam, we need to rid the world of this
plague,” one person declared. “BAN ISLAM! These murdering radical
savages will only hurt your nation!” another added. I stared shell-shocked
at the screen, optimism shattered once more. After yet another incident
of intolerance, how could I continue to hope for understanding?
“Come on in!” Playing the host with a confident air, I wave in
the latecomers, holding the door open for them. They enter my home,
accompanied by a burst of fresh March air. “The party has already started,
as you can probably tell. Here, let me grab your coats. Go ahead, we got
food and drinks in the kitchen, help yourself!” I afford a glance outside
as I usher in my classmates, directing them towards the refreshments
and taking their jackets to the guest room. The driveway is packed with
cars, and excess traffic has spilled over into the streets. Fortunately, my
neighbors are accustomed to the get-togethers thrown at my home. They
wouldn’t complain about the noise.
The newcomers flood into the living room and join the rest of
the invitees, positioning themselves within the suddenly crowded area. A
large rug covers the bronze hardwood, with a marble table holding pride
of place at the center. Paintings and murals are strategically placed on
the walls for maximum aesthetic value. Kindled with a gentle blue flame,
the fireplace dances merrily, reveling with the revelers. The television
dominates the northeast corner, a spot that the house seems to pivot
around. A tablet inscribed with calligraphy and embroidered with gold
can be plainly viewed just above the television. Careful attention to detail
reveals that these plaques, embedded with strangely artistic swoops and
swirls, are scattered throughout the chamber, visible wherever you turn.
People are everywhere, concentrated into small groups of conversation,
slouching on the couch, sitting on the rug, lounging casually and
listening. Laughter coats the room with an ebullient ambiance as my
friends unwind after a long week of school-work. I soak in the joy,
exchange a few words:
“Yeah, the football game is going down tomorrow at 12. We’re
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