I'd seen Friha sitting alone in the backyard during the pizza party we held after our dedication service at Hope Community. When I asked if I could sit with her, she welcomed me with a beaming smile and called Samir over to translate. The conversation soon turned to the topic of faith. "To be a national of our country meant to be Muslim, but we wanted freedom to choose our own religion," Samir explained. "I really liked the music you sang earlier. It really touched me. I've never felt anything like that before."