Written by Sabeen Arianpour
It’s Friday night, and I just want to do nothing. After a long week of juggling my corporate job,
my son, my family, and everything in between, I’m exhausted. Growing up, Friday nights were
always for Jamat Khana, the prayer hall. Even now, it’s a tradition I try to uphold as a mom—and by “try,” I mean I manage it at least once a month. But let’s be real—it’s Friday, and I
just want to unwind with family dinner and a movie. Should I call my parents, my son’s Nani and Nana, and send him with them? At least he’s going, right? He can still see that Friday is our big Jamat Khana night, even if I’m not there. Or should I go through various parts of Friday Jamat Khana with him at home, then turn on Inside Out?
Life as a Millennial Muslim Mom is complicated. Islamic principles are the foundation of our daily lives, but it’s not just about rituals—it’s a way of life that touches the soul, gives us purpose, and fuels our resilience. I have unshakeable faith in Allah—I believe everything that happens is meant for me, and that He’s always with me. This is the kind of faith I want to instill in my son—a faith that carries him through life’s ups and downs with grace and strength.
Being a South Asian Ismaili Muslim, my culture and traditions are woven into my identity. My
core memories are filled with Saturday eligious education classes, Friday night Jamat Khana,
dandiyas, college expeditions, Camp Mosaic, and more. Sure, I missed out on some secular
experiences, but honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. I want my son to experience all of this too, but I also want him to have friends, activities, and a life outside of Jamat Khana—a world
beyond what I had until I left for college and married someone from a different Muslim
background.
As Millennial Muslim Moms, modern American culture doesn’t always align with our traditional
upbringing, and that’s where the tension lies. Through media and technology, we’re constantly
bombarded with diverse viewpoints and lifestyles. Navigating societal norms that might conflict with our cultural or religious values adds another layer of complexity.
The fact is I’m not raising my son in the same world and times I grew up in, and that’s a reality I navigate daily. Let me share how I balance preserving my South Asian culture and Islamic faith in a modern world:
- Incorporate Islamic Principles into Daily Routines: Integrate your faith into everyday
tasks, like starting your day with a short dua (prayer) or reciting Quranic verses while
driving. This keeps your spiritual connection strong without needing extra time. - Celebrate Religious and Cultural Holidays with Modern Twists: Host Eid or Nowruz
gatherings that blend traditional customs with modern elements—like serving traditional
Pakistani dishes alongside a trendy dessert table, or creating a playlist that mixes family-
friendly Bollywood songs with Sufi hits by Nusrat or Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. - Use Technology for Religious Education: Use apps and online resources to teach
your children about Islamic values. Whether it’s listening to Islamic podcasts, following
Quran recitation apps, or engaging with Islamic storybooks available on YouTube or e-
readers, technology can make religious education more accessible and engaging. - Create a Family Tradition that Merges Both Worlds: Establish new family traditions
that honor your cultural and religious heritage while embracing modern lifestyles. For
example, have a weekly family night where you cook a traditional meal together,
followed by a movie or game that reflects your dual identity. - Seek Out Inclusive Social Circles: Surround yourself with like-minded friends who
share your cultural and religious values, but who also embrace modernity. Engage in
community groups that focus on both spirituality and personal development, allowing you
to grow in all areas of life. - Cultivate a Modern Halal Lifestyle: Balance your cultural and religious values with
modern living by embracing a halal lifestyle that’s both practical and relevant. This could
mean choosing halal-certified products, supporting ethical and sustainable brands, or
creating a home environment that reflects your faith while also being functional and
aesthetically pleasing. - Practice Flexibility in Cultural Practices: Be open to adapting cultural traditions to fit
your modern lifestyle. If attending Jamat Khana or Masjid every week isn’t feasible,
consider other ways to maintain that connection, like setting an alarm reminder to pray
as a family without fail. Flexibility allows you to stay connected to your roots without
overwhelming yourself.
We need to be flexible in how we express and preserve our traditional values in today’s world.
Sometimes, that means finding innovative ways to keep our traditions alive. The trick is
integrating our cultural practices into a modern lifestyle without compromising our identity. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s possible.
To my fellow Millennial Muslim Moms, here’s to preserving our values while embracing
modernity.
Sabeen Arianpour is a Millennial Muslim Mom on a never-ending journey of balancing her cultural and religious values while embracing modernity. On any given day, you can find her sipping on her lukewarm Dirty Chai (motherhood, right?), while running circles around her toddler and Goldendoodle. With a background in writing, education, and coaching, Sabeen seamlessly blends tradition with contemporary life, empowering other moms to navigate their own unique paths with confidence and grace. Whether she’s diving into a deep conversation about cultural identity or sharing relatable moments from her daily life, Sabeen is all about authenticity, resilience, and making space for joy and softness in the chaos of motherhood.
Follow her work on Instagram and TikTok: @sabeenarianpour