Overall, the project has gone to plan. I have kept up with the reading. The reading has been the backbone of everything else happening in the project. It has allowed me to create deep, enriching questions for my interviews. In addition to the reading, the volunteering aspect of my project has worked well. I am volunteering at the Islamic Society of Mid Manhattan. I interviewed the Sunday school teacher, they have been crucial because the teacher explained that Islam has to be strict and welcoming. The teachers say Muslims can’t stray away from the strict set of guidelines. Throughout my project, this opinion has been argued. A lot of the interviews, that have been outside of the Mosque, explained that Islam is fluid and adapts to the time. That contrasting idea brings up the question of what social and cultural norms have these people been raised with? In addition, the other question raised is what is their definition of modesty? To the newer generations, the idea of modesty is about the evolution of your identity and how you express yourself. However, to the older people, modesty is wearing baggy clothing and a hijab is to cover the chest. Males have to wear clothes that also do not show the shape of the body. From that, the question that is raised is: How do you move the definition of modesty from the older generation and the younger generation to now. These beliefs come from core sources like the Quran and the Hadith. The welcoming part also comes from these core sources as they describe God has created us to make mistakes, and we can’t judge others when they make those mistakes. I was allowed to have a group study around the kid’s thoughts on the topics. In contrast to the welcoming aspect of Islam, the kids describe their parents are pushing them away from practicing Islam outward, like wearing hijab. That has led to the kids only feeling necessary to practice Islam when entering the mosque.   

One aspect of the project that has not gone to plan is the interview part. A lot of the interviews have been moved around or pushed back. Many reveal that they are currently mid- Ramadan and can’t drink or eat anything until sunset. Then, most of the interviews are after 8:00 pm or pushed right after Ramadan. Imams/religious leaders want their interviews to be in the first week of May. Besides that, there has not been a lot of struggle in the project. 

The goal of the project has not changed, rather the expectation of this project and the goal has become the same. Going further into the project, I wanted to hear these different, contradicting perspectives because this will allow me to create my own opinion on this question. The books from the Quran to The Secret of Divine Love have open to my eyes to the idea Islam is clear about what should Muslim follow, but it is also a guideline that Muslims use to create their own path. It is the culture and society that ruins the religion because they take parts of the Quran and the Hadith out of context. Instead of my goal for this project changing, it has become stronger and more cemented in this project. I have become even more excited and passionate about my project. Each component of the project has been working out. Both the experience and progress toward the original goals have been humbling and just beautiful to see unfold. There is no argument that this project has been the best part of this year.