One of my favorite bloggers from back in the days, Koonj, posted a powerful poem not too long ago but I did not get a chance to link to it. Here is an excerpt:
If I am a feminist, you snidely accuse me of cunningly outmanoeuvring my religion.
If I am an academic, you congratulate me on keeping my religiosity at bay just long enough to nab one of your jobs.
If I become depressed, you exhort me to lose the darkness of my religiosity.If I am happy, you say I am deluded.
I cannot win. I cannot simply be. I must be defined and packed up in a small green box marked ISLAM.
Any flaws I have must be traced back to Islam. Any disadvantages I have must be marked up to my religion.Any strengths I have must be explained away. I am, you say, too Western to be truly a Muslim woman. You say I am too Americanized to be a truly Muslim woman. I am too critical to be a real believer.
Speaking of back in the days, Koonj characteristic style was very powerful and yet likable (Ok sometimes she does sound like an aunty). On a lighter note, if you get a chance then be sure to check out Koonj’s Khutba for Dummies. Its a classic. 
OK, why am I blogger from bygone days? I’m still around.
(Do you speak Urdu?) And auntie hogi tumhari maan.
Koonj, My dear sister. That was fast. Bygone days because on the internet time ‘travels’ much faster. Years are like decades.
Do I speak Urdu? I guess you haven’t figured out who I am. :p
Yes of course my mom is old enough to be an auntie. Ab khush?
P.S: You were my 2005/6 blogging hero (I mean heroine). I have crowned a new queen. :p
I loved this post by Koonj! It is one of the most amazing posts and it is difficult to choose the best ones because she is a fabulous writer. What’s the link for the khutbah?
Suroor, its up on her blog now.