Ishak, I completely agree with you. I think this virus has really changed the world in so many ways. To hear that your religion was affected is truly saddening. Many large events are being altered, and there is nothing we can do to fix it. We can only make the best of the situation at hand. In my religion class, we actually read about how Ramadan was being affected by COVID-19, here’s the link: https://religionnews.com/2020/04/23/during-ramadan-in-quarantine-muslims-get-creative-to-preserve-community/. It talks about how people are dealing with it. By setting up zoom meetings, using social media, or even mailing things to each other, the interaction can be felt in a way. I know Ramadan is very much based on the idea of community, and without it, I bet it is hard. It is like you are just going through the motions in a way, and not fully experiences Ramadan. However, the virus has made us manage the times differently. I know that you have been able to adapt with the situation, and the internet and social media, as you said, really helps. Finally, I agree with your statement that this virus makes us think about our blessings and helps us realize that we must cherish the time we have before our lives can be changed like they have now. I think this piece was very good, and I applaud you for working through Ramadan to the best of your abilities. I loved hearing about your experience in past years, it seems like a very influential moment in your life. Hopefully you make it through Ramadan, and I hope to hear about your experience, and what you did to adapt. Stay safe!

Hi! It’s crazy to read and hear about how the virus is affecting so many people and religions. In all honestly, when this first began, I was so excited because no school, but after a few weeks passed, I started realizing how bad this is affecting everyone. But like you said, this situation has made us focus on the positives of the Internet and focus on the memories we’ve made before this happened.

Dear Ishak, I agree with you that COVID-19 has affected Ramadan a lot because in some countries Mosques were closed, and many people were sad. I hope that the everything will get better soon. I am looking forward to your writing.🙂🙂

Hi Ishak, this is awesome writing. It’s super cool to hear about how COVID affected other people and other religions, but I am sorry to hear it has affected your religion negatively. Connecting as one is a part of the human experience, and social distancing makes that very difficult. However, I admire your courage and believe things will get better soon. I look forward to reading more writing from you!

I think that this was a very interesting topic and I think that it was even better coming from a person who has been there and gone through these events and rituals in person. I think that it was very interesting and important how you included how the pandemic has affected it, I think that now when we read a piece about an event or tradition, often going through our minds is the pandemic and how it has influenced it. So I really liked how you included that and your own personal experiences in it as well. This is great writing and a very interesting piece!!!

good job ishak I really liked your story and I see how hard was for you to come to the united state
keep going

Dear Ishak
I am surprised by your post “Crossing The Red Sea” because it looks really good
One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is ” people always think that I’m not strong, with a small, sacred heart, but the reality is on the inside I am a volcano” I think this because people also think that about me too they think that because I’m still a kid and scared and stuff like that but they can’t read us from inside because inside us there is a whole different world.
This reminds me of an experience I had once when I was in Yemen at those days when they were the war the aggression they were Rockets hit and there were somebody parts were in our roof because there was a big explosion in the mountain and our house was under the mountain. Thanks for your writing I look forward to seeing what you write next.

Dear Ishak,
I am inspired by your post, thinking that you and your family had to run out of your own country because of war and because everything was turning inside out, the story make me think about a book I read and also today in my country the same thing is happening not a war between countries but a civil war and now my country turned inside out.
I also like this passage from your story I was lying on my back and meditating on the stars because I could not sleep, and the sea was all around me, calm. My nephew and my cousin are asleep as if they were unconscious. Because I can create the image of trying to sleep while your family is deeply in sleep.
I really loved your story I think it was kind of an adventure.