Gamals American Dream

With the aroma of the Ful Mudammas1 that my wife Mona laid out, came instant
nostalgia.2 I was brought back to the days in Cairo many years ago. There are days like this that
have me questioning whether dropping everything that my family and I had built and heading
towards Detroit had been worth it or not. I remember hearing about the young men from my
hometown who were leaving to go work at the Ford Factory in the early 1900s. I had been
working on a nearby farm, but the pay was not enough to feed my family.3 After a couple of days
of giving it thought, I made up my mind that my wife and two children, Fatima and Mohamed,
would pack our bags and leave everything wed ever known. I was in search for a job that would
help me support my wife, kids, and my parents back home, and send my kids to college. I knew
that it would be difficult and though I was not particularly keen on it, Id have to attempt to
assimilate into the culture by dressing similarly, abiding by my employers guidelines, and
basically doing whatever it takes to be successful.
Our first few days in Detroit were quite a blur. I didnt know a lick of English as we only
spoke Arabic in Egypt, and we barely had any money to live on. I needed to find a job. Fast. I
remember spending days looking for work and found myself washing store windows for a clerk
downtown. It wasnt the best of jobs, but it was certainly a start. It wasnt until a fellow Arab,
one who would end up becoming my best friend, walked inside saying Aslamu-Alaykum that
my luck began to change.4 I remember it like it was yesterday. We had been in Detroit for about
a week and hearing that greeting from Hassan struck a chord. After we shook hands Hassan told
me that he could help me find a job at the Ford Factory and was willing to translate. Before I
1

Fava been dip, tpically eaten wth pita bread

Ed. Timothy L. Gall and Jeneen Hobby. Vol. 1: Africa. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2009. P177-185. COPYRIGHT 2009 Gale, Cengage Learning. Web. 29
Oct. 2014
3
Adams,Richard H.,,Jr. "Worker Remittances and Inequality in Rural Egypt." Economic Development and Cultural Change 38.1 (1989): 45.
ProQuest. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
4
Crow, Karim D. "The Greeting of Peace-Security (Al-Salamu 'Alaykum): Uncovering the Basis of Islamic Peace." Islam and Civilisational Renewal
3.1 (2011): 181,186,243. ProQuest. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
2

knew it I had landed a job at Henry Fords factory and had moved to Dearborn, where Hassan
told me a small concentration of Lebanese families lived.
Whenever I remember the shock that overtook me when I realized just how excessive the
work load was at the assembly line during my very first days at the factory, I cant help but
cringe. My job had been to fasten wheels onto the car and it felt like it was never ending. We
barely ever got a chance to wipe the sweat off our foreheads. That wasnt even the worst of it.
The worst came when I realized that making my Salah (five daily prayers) was going to be a
huge hassle. Back in Egypt, all work, play, talk would stop the minute the Athan (call to prayer)
would sound and all would put everything aside and head to pray. Here, I found that not many
acknowledged the prayers and the sound of the Athan was dearly missed. 5 Because I could not
take breaks whenever I needed to, I prayed whenever I could. I felt so isolated during those
times. Prayer times were usually a community activity in Cairo; they brought us all together. At
work, it was the complete opposite. Those of us who were Muslims would pray whenever we
had the chance. We were all on our own. Though Ford seemed like a pretty decent man, it was
quite obvious that he had a certain dislike for Jewish people. 6This made me become more covert
when it came to my religion. I was afraid that Ford might not be so keen on Muslims either and
that could cost me my job. I desperately needed the money so I kept quiet.
Meanwhile as part of the Ford Manual, I had to take English classes at the Ford English
School. 7I was slowly picking up on the language and understanding bits and pieces. My children
attended school as well and it wasnt too long before they could speak, write, and read fluently in
the English language. I also remember being so surprised at how strictly Ford wanted his

Sayeed, Shabbir, and Anand Prakash. "The Islamic Prayer (Salah/Namaaz) and Yoga Togetherness in Mental Health." Indian Journal of
Psychiatry 55 (2013): 224-30. ProQuest. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
6
Ribuffo, Leo P. "Henry Ford And 'The International Jew.'." American Jewish History 69.4 (1980): 437-477. America: History & Life. Web. 29 Oct.
2014.
7
Ford, Henry. Ford Manual: Helpful Hints for Emplyees. Detroit: Ford Motor, 1915. Print.

employees to abide by the manual. They would even come to our homes and check up on us to
make sure that they were keeping a clean, pristine home! Mona had been mortified upon learning
about the surprise home inspections.8 Arabs in general are known for their hospitality, but
intruding on our privacy is considered rude and invasive.9
Though, we didnt agree with some of the manuals guidelines, we chose to follow them
anyway. The pay was good, so we had to make some sacrifices. Mona and Fatima still continued
to dress modestly as is the Islamic fashion. They refused to take their headscarves even though
many gave them odd looks. Back in Cairo, I used to wear a galabyyia10, but in Detroit I opted for
a more casual attire in jeans and t-shirts. It wasnt too unusual for me because many Egyptians
back home dress in typical Western attire as there are many shops that sell Western clothing
around the city. 11 As for family life, things changed drastically once we landed in Detroit. It was
very hard for me to leave my parents back home. In our culture and religion, taking care of
parents and living near them is a norm.12 In Detroit, it was just my wife and kids in the
household; it felt too empty. I felt for Mona who was usually left alone for most of the day while
I was at work and the kids at school. She had more chores on her hand once Fatima began
school. Before, Fatima would help her mother with some of the cooking and cleaning, but with
school shed become very busy.
Although, we had to make some sacrifices and some things changed, some positive
things came out of the assimilation. We were happy to hear that soccer wasnt extinct in the
country. My family was really big on soccer then, and we still are.13 My son even began talking
about joining the school soccer team. Hassan also helped me make connections with other
8

Ford, Henry. Ford Manual: Helpful Hints for Emplyees. Detroit: Ford Motor, 1915. Print.
Janardhan, Meena S. "CULTURE-MIDDLE EAST: ARAB HOSPITALITY RUNS DEEP." Global Information Network: 1. Jun 03 2002. ProQuest. Web.
29 Oct. 2014 .
10
Long, robe-like garment with long sleeves an trim around the neckline
11
Ed. Timothy L. Gall and Jeneen Hobby. Vol. 1: Africa. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2009. P177-185. COPYRIGHT 2009 Gale, Cengage Learning.
12
Ed. Timothy L. Gall and Jeneen Hobby. Vol. 1: Africa. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2009. P177-185. COPYRIGHT 2009 Gale, Cengage Learning.
13
Ed. Timothy L. Gall and Jeneen Hobby. Vol. 1: Africa. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2009. P177-185. COPYRIGHT 2009 Gale, Cengage Learning.
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Muslims like myself who had immigrated as well14 so when Eid came around, we celebrated
together. 15 Though, we couldnt see the rest of our family, Eid wasnt a disappointment. The
Detroit Library was also a haven for me as I loved to divulge in literature. 16 Most of the books
were in English, but reading the literature helped me with my English as well. I was also
introduced to jazz music at the time, and immediately fell in love with it.17
So, as I sit here in my home eating the hot food set before me before I set off to go to
work, I realize that the move had been worth it all. Though, my family and I had to leave some
things behind, we were able to compensate. I didnt mind leaving behind the traditional dress
that I used to wear in Cairo, and though not being able to pray during the appropriate times
certainly took its toll, I know that I have become a more successful man. Coming to Detroit
opened more doors for my family and I. The city is certainly like a stage for ordinary people like
me.18 Had I stayed in Egypt I would have continued to live in poverty. Now I am able to support
my family here and my parents who are overseas. America gave me the chance to make
something out of myself and as I set foot out the door, I am comforted by the thought that my
kids will also set foot on that stage where they will also be given the chance to lay their own
ideas out for the world to see.

14

Scott, Martelle. Chapter 7. Detroit: A Biography. Chicago Review Press, Inc, 2012,2014. Print
Gilani-Williams, Fawzia.School Library Journal 53.12 (Dec 2007): 26
16
Ed. Timothy L. Gall and Jeneen Hobby. Vol. 1: Africa. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2009. P177-185. COPYRIGHT 2009 Gale, Cengage Learning.
17
Kenz, William G. "Before Motown: A History of Jazz in Detroit, 1920-60." Library Journal 126.14 (2001): 181. ProQuest. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
18
Rybczynski, Witold. Chapter 1 City Life: Urban Expectations in a New World. Scribner.1995.Print
15