Ramadan Racing

Yesterday, I did my first (in-person) race in a very long time, the Discover Downtown Columbia 10k. Having kept all of the requisite fasts, and being in serious Ramadan sleep debt, I expected a mediocre performance, something along the lines of my Ramadan training pace of approximately 8:45 min/mile.

(During Ramadan, I typically run close to iftar time, when I can re-hydrate afterwards. Also, unlike other times of year, I do not push myself at all when running during the Holy month, because speed is then not the objective.)

I was a bit nervous driving to the race that morning, as this was the longest I'd gone without doing a race in recent years. I listened to the Sublime Qur'an on CDs which my uncle had given me. It calmed me immediately. And- I resolved not to look at my watch during the race, and instead to concentrate on breathing and form. All of this I did, finishing in 47:32 (read "47 minutes, 32 seconds").

Afterwards, I was shocked to discover I had placed 3rd in my division. My pace was 7:40 min/mile (the two women who beat me were both doing about a 7:34 min/mile pace). And I was #16 out of 182 total women. Alhamdulillah.

The George Floyd Verdict and Asian Confusion

The issuance of a guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the cop who murdered George Floyd lead to an interesting reaction among some of my very young, very sincere Pakistani friends. They all live in Pakistan, and are ardent supporters of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani woman political prisoner held by the U.S. government. Very active on Twitter, they launched a coordinated campaign to comment on Twitter posts issued by Black politicians, journalists, socialites, and others living in the U.S., relating to George Floyd. 

The only problem was the Pakistani youth, who had never set foot in the U.S., (and therefore seemed almost completely unaware of racial dynamics here), compared Floyd's suffering with that of Aafia (almost as if it were a contest!). They insisted that Floyd's family had gotten justice, and now so should Aafia. They were commenting (on Twitter) on almost every post a public personality issued about the George Floyd verdict. Their comments were taken as highly offensive by some Black activists and writers. And not surprisingly, the Pakistani youth were blocked by the Tweet authors. The Pakistani youth seemed bemused as to why anyone would be offended by what they'd written or block them, when they were just trying to get justice for Aafia.

Since the youth and I were all members of a small "Free Aafia" WhatsApp group, I gave them this free advice over that medium:

"I've been reading the discussion here on trying to use the occasion of the George Floyd verdict to get attention for our sister Aafia's case. As a Pakistani who has grown up in the U.S., I would strongly discourage this. Black people suffer on a daily basis under police brutality and oppression in the U.S., even though they are born here. They are generally very sympathetic to the plight of Dr. Aafia when they are told about it. And- I've had many of them stand with me in protests here for Aafia, when most US-based Pakistanis are too cowardly to do so. The Pakistanis, in my opinion, are more concerned about what might happen to their nice jobs, image, etc if they speak out for Aafia.

A very large percent of Pakistanis as well as Arabs living here in the U.S. are doing great, in terms of dunya. And they don't care either about Aafia, or about Black Americans who are suffering under police brutality/racism. Many of them have convenience stores in the Black areas ("ghettos"). These areas are typically very poor, and have very few nice grocery stores etc to buy healthy food. The Arab and Pakistani convenience store owners sell liquor and cigarettes to Black people. It gives a bad name to Muslims.

The shop owner who called the police on George Floyd was an Arab Muslim. He thought Floyd was shoplifting/stealing some very minor item from his store, so he called them. But, he did not have to. His shop was similar to the ones I describe. (He apologized later, but the damage was done.)

The best thing Pakistani Muslims can do, in my opinion, is to support Black people in their struggle against racism and White Supremacy. And that is a struggle for justice which Muslims can support. (In fact, Qur'an Kareem commands us to stand with all oppressed people.) We do not need to compete with them on who is more oppressed, or try to overshadow their struggle.

In other words, I would strongly recommend keeping the two issues (justice for George Floyd and the Aafia Siddiqui case) separate."

My Stance on the COVID-19 Vaccines

Initially, I was uncertain about my stance on the COVID-19 vaccines. This was due in part to public hysteria about COVID, accompanied by the constant pressure to get vaccinated from nearly all quarters—family, friends, co-workers, employers, corporate media, and government. 

It was also due to the fact that, as someone with a biochemistry background, I was keenly aware of the public health risk posed by SARS-CoV-2. But the same biochem background made me throw up my hands in utter consternation at the preposterous COVID-related assertions made by various government agencies and parroted in the mainstream media. These included suggestions that viral growth could occur on doorknobs, stanchions, and restaurant tables. 

Other clearly ludicrous ideas were propounded by family members and friends: Put all your clothing in the dryer as soon as you enter the house to remain safe. Don't touch your shoes; the virus may be growing on it. Shave your beard if you have one; it may be harboring virus. After a trip to the grocery store, wash (literally wash!) your groceries with soap and water to avoid getting virus. Wear a mask while walking outdoors in a park, even on a breezy day. 

Such was the hysteria that a blood relative, who is highly placed in the medical field, attempted to convince me and other family members to preemptively take hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), an anti-malarial, against SARS-CoV-2. He successfully convinced one of my relatives--also in the medical field--to take the drug. Soon after, HCQ was discredited as a COVID treatment. Risk of heart rhythm abnormalities, liver inflammation, and kidney failure were correlated with HCQ use. But neither the relative promulgating it, nor the one who took it, offered explanation or apology. 

The CDC's recommendations to the public--specifically about the propagation of virus--ranged from inconsistent to outright unscientific. And that was coming from a government agency tasked with protecting the public health. And Americans' reaction to the agency's guidelines illustrated complete ignorance about basic science. Unfortunately, the knowledge void allowed the most ridiculous ideas to be sold to the populace.

Due to my background in, and love for science, I wanted to read as much as possible about SARS-CoV-2 and the vaccines targeting it, and draw my own conclusions. And for that, I had to work hard to drown out the background cacophony.

While it is generally not considered proper to delve into another person’s health status (e.g. if she is fertile; if she has taken the MMR vaccine or seasonal flu shot; if she is using contraception, and so on), COVID-19 vaccination status seems completely exempt from all of this. It is perfectly acceptable to accost someone with the question "Are you vaccinated (for COVID)?" If the person answers in the negative, it is equally legit to deliver a proper browbeating on how she is selfish, a danger to society, etc. In a nation otherwise obsessed with privacy and personal choice, all of this is very contradictory.

There is vast guilt-tripping and the assumption that the un-vaccinated person is personally responsible for the demise of the public health. While it is not okay to accost someone and demand she stop smoking (since second hand smoke puts others at risk of various cancers), it is acceptable to pummel the unvaccinated person with the notion that she is endangering others by retaining that status. Alcoholics, homosexuals, obese people—none of these are given admonitions that they are endangering society with their choices (although it can be argued that they are, as a consequence of public endangerment during drunk driving; through decreased population numbers; or as a result of increased insurance costs, respectively). But, those who remain unvaccinated are regularly excoriated in the public sphere.

Some employers are making it mandatory to take the vaccine to continue employment. Similarly universities and colleges insist on vaccination as a prerequisite to attaining or completing a degree, never mind prior time and monetary investment by the student. All of this is, in my opinion, extortion. 

The experimental COVID vaccines exhibit an extremely high percentage of breakthrough infections. Such a large percentage was unheard of with other vaccines even in their incipient stages. (A small percentage of breakthrough infections are considered normal with any vaccine). One can take the COVID-19 vaccine, and still get a life-threatening dose of COVID. It is inexplicable. Even if COVID presents differently in vaccinated individuals (versus unvaccinated), the fact that the vaccinated person experienced illness at all is extremely off putting. For example, would you take the Polio vaccine if you thought you’d only get a little bit of Polio after taking it? Or take the MMR vaccine if you thought you'd just a touch of Rubella afterwards?

There are lotteries with prize money for those who take the vaccine. New York and other locales are offering free beer to those who take the vaccine. Imagine that: a toxic, cancer causing, diabetes-inducing, cirrhosis of the liver triggering, calorically high, deleterious substance is the reward for taking a vaccine, which purportedly protects your health. This oxymoronic nonsense was, for me, the tipping point. Alcohol as a bribe to take the COVID vaccine spelled out extreme desperation, and complete lack of faith in the product being sold.

Gradually, I realized there was only one position which worked for me on the question of the experimental vaccine. It might cost me my job, the company of friends and family, or a future degree. But, I believe in standing for my principles, and have spent a life time doing so.

I don’t take prescription drugs. I don’t even use OTC drugs, such as NSAIDs.  I take none of the seasonal and other vaccines peddled by Big Pharma (influenza vaccine, HPV vaccine, etc.). I am rarely in the doctor’s office, and almost never sick.

I believe strongly that Big Pharma is all about profit. And yet people, even highly politically conscious activists, who don’t toe the government line on other issues, seem to have complete trust in Big Pharma, as if that entity cares about- and will heal them. My view is that it is in the interest of the pharmaceutical companies that people remain sick and dependent on their products. So, I refuse to trust Big Pharma with my health.

I do, however, believe in the power of food as medicine. I eat about four full heads of romaine lettuce (or the equivalent) every week, along with lots of other raw vegetables and fruits. I consume whole grains, nuts, and seeds near daily. I eat very little meat and eschew pork, as I am a Muslim. I don’t touch fast food and other deep-fried foods. I rarely drink coffee, as it is a narco-disrupter and one of the most heavily pesticide laden products available in the grocery store (unless one drinks only organic coffee). I don’t touch alcohol or soft drinks. And although I love sweets, I severely limit refined sugar, understanding it is a carcinogen.

Further, I consume 4,000 – 6,000 mg of vitamin C daily, far more than average, along with trace amounts of zinc. I avoid most other supplements, as I feel their absorption is highly questionable. And- I believe strongly that food should be one’s primary source of vitamins and minerals, not quick fixes like supplements.

I run 40 miles per week, lift weights, and at age 52, am overall very healthy (by Allah’s Grace). My sport is the marathon. I have run 46 of them. And I very often report to work after running the 26.2 miles, to complete a 10-hour shift. I have worked with the public since the start of the pandemic, completely unvaccinated, and (by Allah’s Grace) without any negative repercussion.

And yet, I am told, usually by people who have serious health problems, are on a litany of pharmaceutical drugs, are in- and out- of the hospital, and can barely walk half a mile—that I must get vaccinated, or I will die, be in the hospital, or endanger the public health with my selfish and ill-informed choice.

I believe in the power of the immune system, a great and miraculous gift  to humans from the Creator. When properly harnessed (through highly nutritious foods, high quality sleep, de-stressing, and vigorous aerobic exercise), it is the best defense against all pathogens, not just COVID.

Given all of this, it would be extreme cognitive dissonance for me to do anything other than to refuse the SARS-CoV-2 experimental vaccines.

--Nadrat Siddique