... when Silence Becomes the Price of Belonging.. (courtesy - Rana Ayub : https://ranaayyub.substack.com/p/the-myth-of-the-acceptable-muslim) I am a Muslim. And I am tired of constantly explaining, defending, and sometimes even justifying my existence, my identity and my concerns. I have written and spoken about this repeatedly. Not because I want to live with a victimhood mentality, but because there is a reality that many people either refuse to acknowledge or have the privilege of ignoring. I sometimes wonder: If an educated, financially comfortable, privileged Muslim had to live for just one year as an ordinary Muslim without money, influence, social connections or political protection, would they understand what the rest of us experience? Perhaps then they would understand that education alone does not protect you. Money does not necessarily buy acceptance. Professional success does not erase your identity. And being politically silent does not guarantee that you will be left alon...