to-be stepfather from Lebanon tutors her for extra practice. “I hope to be fluent by the age of 25,” Kühnel said. John Wilson, one of Kühnel’s main ambassadors at the camp, described Kühnel in a positive way, “Cecilia was a perfect participant for the FSFLA,” Wilson said. “She was curious, motivated, determined and even-tempered. I very much appreci- ated her leadership and good nature during the long, hot days of Arabic immersion.” Her multicultural identity also
made her a huge standout while at the FSFLA. “Cecilia possesses a worldliness that is uncommon for a student of her age,” Wilson said. “With her fluency in German and her cultural awareness of Europe, she easily adapts to other cultural norms much more readily than other students.” Because of the high praise from her instructors, she was nominated to present at a national conference to reflect on her experiences at FS- FLA. “Based on her experiences in learning the Arabic language and culture in the FSFLA, she has the skills, empathy and knowledge to make an outstanding presentation,” Wilson said.
As she begins her project, she ex- pects people to notice and anticipates that some people will not completely understand. “I expect weird remarks and off-putting looks from those who don’t understand my project or who disagree,” Kühnel said. “However, I am hoping to understand the culture while respecting Muslim students at our school.” Manal Sidi, a fellow Muslim student, will provide the clothing for Kühnel. “I feel like the project is good idea,” Sidi said. “It’s a chance for someone to come and actually experience the life rather than [learn] through textbooks.” Even though Sidi is Muslim, her
lifestyle doesn’t interfere with her personal life. “Living in Decatur as a Muslim girl isn’t different at all then living as a Christian or a Jew,” Sidi said. “We go shopping and hang out with friends as much as anybody else in Decatur.”
Sidi also wants the project to
persuade more people to learn about Islam. “I am glad that I can help her out and I feel happy that someone is not just studying Islam but living it out,” she said. “It helps others become more aware of Islam and knock down some stereotypical ideas of it, too.” Initially, Kühnel’s parents didn’t
approve of the project. Due to her German roots and being brought up as a Catholic, it may be a disturbance to her overall lifestyle, as she already has an array of cultures in her life. “I wouldn’t say we’re necessarily devout [Catholics], but we’re definitely spiri- tual. My parents strongly disagreed at first because they thought it would be too controversial and disrespectful to their beautiful culture,” Kühnel said. “Now, they understand how serious I am about learning the culture, even if it means I must immerse myself for a week to gain perspective.” Amalie Kühnel, her twin sister, almost has the complete opposite perspective. “It’s cool and cultural,” she said, “but I think people might judge her and might not understand.” In the future, Kühnel wants to
truly immerse herself and live in the Islamic culture. “I am also planning to move to Lebanon when I am older, therefore I have to adapt as soon as possible,” Kühnel said. “If I’m not in the CIA or FBI, I’ll be in Lebanon, owning a flower shop.” Te ideas and interests of Kühnel’s
project will carry into her future, but may not change her life entirely. Even though she’s looking to learn and understand Arabic and Islamic culture, she doesn’t wish to convert to Islam, largely due to the strict code of beliefs and her Catholic lifestyle. “While the idea has tempted me, my lifestyle and sexual orientation would strongly conflict,” Kühnel said. “I am much more spiritual and relaxed in my beliefs. I pray to God every day.” Because Kühnel identifies as gay, her sexual orientation and the reli- gion conflict. “While I respect and understand Islam, I have embraced who I am as an individual and I will not change,” Kühnel said. n
“We’re different,”Cecilia said of her rela- tionship with her twin, Amalie. Even so, Amalie supports her sister’s project.
Kühnel follows one of the Five Pillars of Islam, Salat, by acting in her daily prayer ritual as a Muslim woman.
Kühnel made this Arabic alphabet at the beginning of an Arabic camp she attended the past summer. It hangs in her room as both a memory and a learning aid.
OCTOBER 2011 • CARPE DIEM
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Photo by Leela Goshorn
Photo by Leela Goshorn
Photo by Kelsey Martin
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