My Ramadan went well but went by too fast. Training, in general was fine. It took me a few days to get acclimated. Most days were not difficult, but some days I did feel fatigue. I got to used to the routine, that the first day after fasting was over, I almost forgot to take my water bottle to the gym.
I went to Atlanta area masjids a few times, but mostly I stayed at home for the iftar dinner (fast breaking) and night prayers. The first time I went to a masjid was the night before (8/4) the Georgia Games Weightlifting competition August 5th, a few days after Ramadan started. I had gone to give a short talk to Roswell masjid’s youth, mainly about my story. Most there did not expect that I was the weightlifter who was going to give a talk. They ultimately knew I was, as others mentioned it and I was introduced.
Then the few times I did go to a masjid, no one came up to me or said anything at all, unless that person already knew me. If I was introduced to someone, people would look twice at me in shock. They had no idea I was “the weightlifter in the news.” Maybe its my glasses, i.e., the Clark Kent/ Superman effect. Some people have asked if I get recognized on the street because of the media coverage. No, I do not at all. But those who I have met or have come to know my identity, say they were either supporting me or prayed for me. That was nice to know.
At the end of Ramadan is a holiday called Eid al Fitr (Arabic: Eid means “festivity” and Fiṭr means “breaking the fast”). After much thought, selling some things I do not need (thanks to a friend, shout out to Ali Mansuri), I decided to finally invest in something I have wanted to for a while. A new barbell!
The one I got is made by Eleiko, the women’s 15kg training bar. Here is a video on why the bar is supposed to last me for life:
http://www.eleikosport.se/gymfitness/Page.asp?PageNumber=131
Currently, the bar has not arrived yet, and I am looking forward to when it does. I purchased it from CSA Nutrition. I purchased the training bar since it was cheaper than the competition bar, as I do not have the need for the IWF certification cost on the competition bar. Here is a blog post on the differences if you would to know more detail.
I am also getting ready for my trip to Washington DC next week. I am looking forward to the Eid State reception next week, September 7th, hosted by Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton. This week, I have also been invited to speak on stage to the guests. I will be giving remarks after Secretary Clinton’s speech. The two others to share the stage will be Special Representative Farah Pandith and one other invited guest. I am honored that I was asked to be one of the few to have the chance to speak to the inspirational guests that will be in attendance at the reception.
Since I will be meeting people, I need business cards. The reason I am going is because of my weightlifting, but I also wanted to share my career information. My friend Sarah Eveleth Watson (she has recently gotten married to Toby Watson), designed awesome business cards for me. It is a double sided card to display both sides of me, one for weightlifting and one for career. She is doing freelance work now, what is listed on her website plus invitations, custom patterns for personal or business use, illustrations etc. Check out her links:
sarahmewatson.blogspot.com (blog)
http://www.sarahwatsonillustration.com/ (freelance work website)
New press coverage I would like to share:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2091186_2091153_2091158,00.html“She’s Wearing What? The Top 10 Sports-Fashion Controversies on Time.com (Specials)” I got #2, Venus Williams got #1.
The Voice of America piece on my story and senior nationals competition, now got translated into Uzbek for VOA Uzbek, link here.
Last but not LEAST: I am very happy and excited to say that the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation would like me to represent Pakistan at international competitions. They have submitted an application today on my behalf to the International Weightlifting Federation as it is the deadline for the World Weightlifting Championships Event which will be held November 5th – 13th, in Paris, France: http://en.paris2011.com/home I will try to maintain updates on the status of this.
One thing I would love is to get help on designing and making clothing (competition attire, workout and warmup wear). My friend Elise made my singlet for my competition at senior nationals in a matter of a few days. It is a challenge, and takes some ingenuity, trial and error to make a singlet (a one piece shirt attached to the leg piece) such that, one can move around, be comfortable, be loose, and people don’t make a big deal about it not looking like what everyone else is wearing. This is a general dilemma for me and other Muslim women in sports and not just for women who wear a head scarf or Muslim women, but anyone who wants to wear looser/longer clothing for sports.
Though ultimately, no matter what, there will be haters. Women are generally always commented, criticized and judged on how they look, what they wear, not what they are doing and accomplishing. But I digress …
Seriously, last but not least: I want to make this post like an Oscar speech and give a shout out to my family and friends. I do not always remember to mention them, but they have been a big help and support. For example, just for my DC trip, I have several friends & family let me borrow things I need, so I don’t have to hurry, think (I tend to spend more time than necessary on thought) and make purchases. I wish I could take family and friends to the event, but its just me invited, no +1. Sorry to my habibti Saadia Qureshi , and I know Nadia Ahmed would have wanted to go also. I also wish my Florida people (small town Chobee, where a yellow cow was the high school mascot, REPRESENT!) were nearby, but at least we have Internet social networking to stay connected. Thanks to my training/coaching people for maintaing support, and helping me keep it real too during Ramadan training when I could not drink Fruit Punch No XPlode. I know, inshAllah (God willing), I am going to make some weightlifting PR’s (personal records) soon.
I will end with these words from the Golden Girls:
Thank you for being a friend
Traveled down the road and back again
Your heart is true your a pal and a confidant.And if you threw a party
Invited everyone you ever knew
You would see the biggest gift would be from me
And the card attached would say thank you for being a friend.