"I have been studying Islam closely for some time now, and try to go to the mosque on some Fridays," he shared. "I am considering making my shahada," Juan continued, referencing the oath of induction whereby a new Muslim proclaims that "there is only one God, and Mohammed is his final messenger." "Everybody assumes that I am a Muslim already," he said, with a cautious laugh that revealed discomfort with his liminal status.

Khaled A. Beydoun, American Islamophobia_ Unde…, loc. 38