When Strangers Become Neighbors
By Amira Alsareinye
When we put ourselves out there in the uncertain world of other people, we find that we’re neighbors more than strangers.
I am blessed with a Catholic and Muslim heritage. My mother is from Mexico and my father is from Syria. They met in Texas and I have lived here in the heart of the Bible Belt my whole life. In adulthood I chose Islam, but still love my Catholic roots. Let me tell you where I find my neighbors, and where my neighbors find me.
As we slowly emerge from a pandemic, isolation and loneliness are foreign to no one. We awaited the new year and recognized hope … yet many of us are still under Covid restrictions. There are many ways to bring joy to people’s lives — one is just to be kind in general. Despite the turmoil we live in, stories of helping others out of a shared vulnerability are becoming more common.
Most religions encourage kindness to all, but especially to one’s neighbor. Let’s examine what a neighbor means. Is it only someone who happens to live nearby? As a practicing Muslim, The Holy Quran guides me to “Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good – to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess.” [The Holy Qur’an, al-Nisaa 4:36]
Neighborliness is both a religious and civic concept.
An inspiring figure in my life who really helped expand my view of what it means to be a neighbor is Fred Rogers. I grew up watching his beloved television show “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood,” In the theme song he asks the viewers to become his neighbor, implying that neighborliness does not require proximity but only compassion and understanding. He taught children lessons of courage, accepting differences, exploring emotions, and more.
This patient, loving approach lies at the heart of teaching. It’s the reason I seek to become a teacher. My substitute training has allowed me to see the classroom through a different lens. Not only do I get to observe the excellence of teachers, but also the kindness of students, even though I am a complete stranger to them. One day I walked into my classroom, introduced myself, and asked the kids if they had any questions. One student said, “I have a question, are you Muslim or Hindu?”
“That is actually a very good question,” I commended him. “I am Muslim, however if you have any questions about my faith, I ask that you do your own research on your own time, because we have to stay on topic and finish our classwork for the day.”
Another student asked me, “where are you from?”
“I am from San Antonio just like you guys,” I replied. The student looked perplexed, and said, “but you are wearing that,” pointing to my hijab.
“Well, wearing this doesn’t mean I have to be from a far-off place. I choose to wear this as a part of my faith.” The student understood, and we sat down and began their classwork.
I switched classes later as part of the daily rotation, and as soon as I walked in a student said, “Wow she’s so pretty!” I felt so heart-warmed and thanked them for their kindness. Another student called me over. I moved a little closer and the child whispered, “You have a bit of hair coming out of your hijab.”
I was not expecting that. “Aww that’s quite alright, thank you for telling me,” I said with a chuckle. Witnessing the kindness and trust of these students really had an impact on me. I realized that as a teacher and human being I learn something every day.
In one memorable experience, I saw firsthand how teachers and students are truly neighbors. The fourth graders were each assigned a worksheet to complete. Two students who were at a different academic level worked on their laptops in the back of the classroom. On the opposite side another student who was also on a different academic level worked alone on his laptop. I walked around the classroom to make sure everyone stayed on task. The student working alone looked puzzled and asked for help with the worksheet. I told him he must try his best to solve it on his own. “But I can’t read miss,” he tells me with a soft voice. For someone to be so open with a stranger and share that anxiety really touched my heart. “That is okay, you are very intelligent, I know you’ll get there,” I told him.
I walked around the room again and noticed that the two other students assigned laptop work had fallen asleep. I tapped on the desk gently to wake them. They opened their eyes for a minute, glazed and red, closed them, and then put their heads down again. I felt concerned and wondered how I could help them wake up in a gentle manner. I decided to send a text message to the teacher, informing him that they had fallen asleep. The teacher responded, “Yes, let them rest, their parents work nights, and aren’t there to monitor them, so they are up all night.” This teacher had invested so much emotionally into his students that he was completely aware of their home situation and is assisting them with their own personal educational plan. Witnessing such kindness inspired me and gave me direction. It affirmed my own cherished beliefs. I want to be that kind of teacher.
In the smallest of ways we can be a neighbor to those in need — in our professions, religious congregations, volunteer work, and all our everyday interactions. The gestures we give and the places where we lend our presence become blessed. My faith and life experiences have taught me that neighborliness is a wonderful two-way street.
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Amira Alsareinye graduated from the University of the Incarnate with a B.A. in biology. She enjoys creative writing, poetry, and art.
[This essay is part of a series called Positive Faith in Public Life]
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