“Sometimes people think you can either be a good American or a good Muslim. I think that’s wrong. I think if you’re a good Muslim, by default, you would be a good citizen.”

I’m a transplant nephrologist working in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. When I moved here nine years ago, it was a very small town relative to where I lived all my life. The thing that has kept me in Sioux Falls is that this was probably a place where I could make an impact. Not just being a physician, but also impacting the image that Muslims have. 

I do think that clearing up misconceptions is important in a place like this where I may be the only Muslim that somebody sees ever in their life. I really hope that by meeting me, if I'm a good physician and if I come off as a decent person, then that may make people think twice before they assume something about all Muslims.

In our mosque there was a need to have somebody who could talk to other community members and faith groups. I became the point person to answer questions about Islam, and then it started to grow into a bigger role. We would get invitations from universities and schools. I’ve visited pretty much every single university and college in the state of South Dakota. I would give them a brief overview of Islam, and it was intimidating initially. But it started to become a little easier for me and I truly enjoyed the interaction that I would have with students. 

I think we all get restless and we want to move, especially living in a small community. And the thing that keeps me here is the fact that there is so much that I can contribute. And I've seen the change that has happened in this very town. 

There were bills that have been introduced in the South Dakota legislature, which are very Islamophobic and anti-minority. And as part of our partnership with other faith groups, we've actually been fairly successful in making sure that the leaders in the halls of power are aware of the other viewpoint as well. And not a single bill like that has passed in the state. 

I have learned a lot along this journey. And I truly feel that I'm a better Muslim now. And I think that I would even say that I'm a better citizen. Sometimes people think you can either be a good American or a good Muslim. I think that's wrong. I think if you're a good Muslim, by default, you would be a good citizen.