Undergraduate / "Religious Identity" (Religion is an integral part of my life) - Personal talent [4]

Prompt: Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

Would you mind critiquing my essay. Thanks you!

I was born under Islam; I continue to follow Islam; I will always follow Islam. The former part of the pervious sentence was more so a forced acceptance of a belief which I till this day adhere to, however the latter parts of evolved out of curiosity which began as signs of adolescence appeared. At the same time, the Muslim community was being looked down upon and as a result, such rejections engendered an inquisitive mind seeking to discover the reasons for such actions. Thus the period of my forced acceptance gradually came to an end and the belief in a higher being would cement itself in my precarious soul; lingering to find a faith to adhere to. I would soon become more involved in the community, seeking acceptance from whichever corner it may originate from. My education in terms of discovering Islam began and applications of such learning would take place in the forms of the five daily prayers to fasting during the prescribed months. Although I felt as though most aspects of my religious duty were fulfilled, I lacked one of the majors decrees: Charity work.

I integrated Islamic teachings into everyday takes from leaving school, reciting beneficial sayings, to working at my father's store handling customers with patience and friendliness. As the store was forced to close down, I began to thrust myself into the cause of helping others gain an insight into Islam and clear its prevalent misconceptions. In terms of my charity work, I became the president of Muslim Youth Group of the Antelope Valley. This group was dedicated to conveying Islam with clarity while moving the young in striving to become better citizens. My zealot nature in assisting others would rise from this opportunity and helping kids learn a sport to reciting prayers would become weekly rituals. Partaking in the Muslim Youth Group not only allowed me to grow as an individual but molded my strong beliefs in helping others supplant themselves within a community so that may vocalize their interests which in turn represent the interests of the masses who chose to say mute.

As leader of the Youth Group, I had the chance to meet a renowned public speaker in Abdul Majeed Askia, a converted Muslim to expressed his gratitude and urged members of the group to continue in the right path. Mr. Askia, in a talk with the group members compared the modern day Muslim to a slave (as his grandfather had been), scared to express the right beliefs which have been hidden as a result of the few extremists who seek to fulfill their political agendas and suppress the larger Muslim community . It was during the course of that week that I truly realized what it means to be a Muslim in America; free to utilize all resources in order to convey a message which you believe to be just and true.

Hopefully as I continue to develop I can continue to clear the minds of the few misguided people through spreading true facts about the religion itself. Religion is an integral part of my life and spreading its right messages through the right means has allowed me to feel a sense of accomplishment.

Undergraduate / "Mexican-American in the land of opportunity" -Adapations in a New World- UC [NEW]

rompt #1 Describe the world you come from - for example, your family, community or school - and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. word limit 500

"America is the land of opportunity." A cliché which many have found to be untrue, at least in the literal sense. My family immigrated to America in 2001 searching for that alluring opportunity which till this day remains a mystery, hiding- possibly within the folds of an education. Upon my arrival here from Pakistan, a few months prior to the 9-11 attacks, I was deemed, at least from a societal perspective an "Indian" or if I was lucky, some would refer to me as a "Mexican-American." This displacement in society allowed me to blend in however, the horrendous attacks of the extremists allowed society and its ignorant individuals to dub me as a "Terrorist." This hurt. I was 9 going on to be 10. I didn't know what a terrorist was yet here I was, standing within the circle of peers, getting pierced by their darts, day-after-day, year-after-year. This, fortunately, would soon change and the transition would become easier as each day progressed and we soon became, " Pakistani- Americans."

The initial struggle of economic instability, racial discrimination, language barrier and religious identity were all cleared and a new path towards a healthy, more opportunistic life would develop for me as my parents would go on to stress the need for an education in order to fulfill not only their wishes and aspirations but mine also. A world class education was hard to come by living in Pakistan according to my father who earnestly urged me to utilize the necessary resources to reach the top. I would take these comments and aspire to become a prospective UC student, seeking to acquire an insight into the world in which we reside in

I was always bred to pursue a career in Law, however acquaintance with the works of Albert Camus, in particular, "The Fall", changed my perspective on both life itself and professions. He writes, " The avidity which in our society is a substitute for ambition has always made me laugh;" implying that one should aspire to partake in fields of interests without regards to monetary incentives, rather, with regards to passion and ardor. Although my dreams and aspirations were affected in large part by economic uncertainty, an insight into Camus' works would serve to be the tipping point of my realization regarding my love for assisting others, which in all honesty is due to my desire to rise to that " supreme summit where virtue is its own reward" ( Camus, "The Fall").

America is still the land of opportunity. With bettering conditions, one's philosophical mindset on life changes and so did my family's. However, I must never become oblivious of the land I called home. The land that united my family. The land that protected my family during hostility. The land that under the wavering Green and White Flag, continues to be a part of my life. Although educational opportunities there were limited, my cultural values, principles and fervency to assist others were molded in the land I called Home.

Please critique my essay in a constructive manner. Thanks!