I work at a Christian-based non-profit organization called Mobile Loaves & Fishes, which feeds and houses the homeless in six cities across the U.S.  It was originally founded as a ministry of the St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Austin, Texas.  I applied to work here because I wanted to go home at the end of the day and feel like I’d made a positive contribution to the world.

The person who interviewed me is member of the Catholic clergy.   As my affiliations with Muslim organizations are very prominent on my resume, it was amusing to watch him choose his words delicately.  With great effort to avoid breaking employment laws, he attempted to find out how comfortable I would be working in a Christian environment.  I assured him as best I could that it would not be a problem for me.

Since joining Mobile Loaves & Fishes, I’m happy to report that both my Muslimness and me have been embraced and honored.

When I first met him, the founder and President of the organization told me a story about a church service he attended just following 9/11.   An Iraqi cab driver drove up to his church with his wife and son, offered a donation, and were immediately invited to join the congregation as honored guests during the morning’s service.  He was deeply moved by the cab driver’s willingness to reach out after the tragedy and wanted me to know that right off the bat.

After I was hired, I sent an email to my supervisor, asking if I could have a place to pray during the workday. He appeared in my office moments after I sent the email., walked through the building with me, and helped me find a spot that would be private, clean and accessible any time I needed it.

Each Monday morning the staff meets for a short inspirational meeting where a few bible verses are read and a short prayer is given in the Christian tradition.  And I never feel out of place or uncomfortable there.  I participate willingly because we are, after all, praying to the same God.

There is one particular homeless man who comes in to our offices every day and sits in the reception area, drinking coffee and chatting with the staff.  The day after he found out I was Muslim, he came in with two books he’d found and checked out at the public library.  One was a children’s book about a Muslim prince, the other was a compendium of Islamic art.  I sat with him in the reception area and we looked at the art book together, admiring the pictures and enjoying a short break in the day.

I work for a Christian organization.  And I am a Muslim.  It’s just not a problem.  For any of us.