Author | Zoya Zia
First traced along a thin map, then etched
clearly in memory, daily trips left Pereferico
for Tasqueña, switched to take Chabacano a
Tacubaya and head to Polanco in the lengthy
commute, extended by a breezy walk through
avenues near 25 Calle Euclides—past two open
front doors, women turn left into their shared
prayer and community space, a place of soft
buzzing and windows beaming with light from
sunny skies on June afternoons, moments briefly
interrupted by trickling downpour until calm can
be restored among visitors—whether their journeys
began at Pereferico’s station or oceans away in a distant
decade, open hearts at this three-story mezquita sit as
equals on the patterned red carpet, exchanging
Salam y saludos with bright smiles—cultures
flow in harmony, exposing visitors to different
countries through the jingling bells on Indian
clothing, enticing smells of Arab food served to all
during Ramadan and overlapping chatter in Arabic,
Spanish and other tongues— as Mexican Muslims
knock on cultural barriers like doors, minds soar far
above routes taken on the Metro and direct new
paths that blend what it means to live in Mexico
City and follow Islam, learning to do both and shake
hands with unknown as they carry their open hearts
beyond an inviting space on 25 Calle Euclides.
About the Author | Zoya Zia is an opinionated third-year trying to educate herself on just about everything. As an International Relations & Global Studies major, she has an affinity for learning languages. With minors in Latin American Studies and Arabic, she enjoys cultural studies, discussing foreign policy, reading poetry, and of course, writing. Although she was born in Albuquerque, she sees herself caught between the Atlantic Ocean. As a Pakistani-American, she never feels quite at home in either country. However, she hopes to make the world a more welcoming place for all through an undivided emphasis on human rights and social justice. Whenever she’s not condemning political corruption, you can usually find her drinking some chai.