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As an immigrant living in Philadelphia, I was deeply moved by Leila Aboulela’s collection of short stories, “Elsewhere, Home.” Through her writing, Aboulela captures the struggles and reflections of Muslim and Arab women living between Scotland, England, Sudan, and Egypt. Her work is a reminder that in a time when millions of people have been displaced from their homes, it is important to ask ourselves: What makes a home?
Aboulela’s work is especially relevant here in Philadelphia, where hundreds of thousands of immigrants reside. We must strive to make our city and our neighborhoods more welcoming to strangers. We must look beyond the hijab and recognize that we are all part of the same human family. Only then can we create a truly inclusive and diverse community.
