Discovering Ameena in Morocco: An Auto Ethnographic Study on Identity

Abstract

Three months ago I left my comfortable life in the swanky suburbs of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan to embark on a life-changing journey. This journey took me all the way to Fes, Morocco. With a ninety-eight percent Muslim population who predominantly speak Arabic and French, Morocco was nothing, absolutely nothing, like my home. As expected, before leaving I questioned how my identity would be altered by this experience. More specifically, how stereotyping and cognitive dissonance would impact my identity in this foreign country. Having a multi-cultural upbringing as both a Pakistani Muslim and Caucasian Christian, this auto-ethnographic study was extremely important because I have been deeply affected by this unique heritage and not always in a positive manner. I chose Morocco because it is a culture so different from anything I had ever known would shed light and give answers on how biracial people can create an identity that suite all situations without compromising any aspect of themselves.