Rami’s youth-center work grows from his own father’s absence.

Evidence

His mother has begun complaining that he’s always out. Usually he was at the masjid or the youth center. He volunteered there for two years before they put him on staff. It was satisfying to get paid for doing something you love, he explained, and Rami really enjoys working with the youth there. “They’re good kids,” he said. “They look up to you and pay attention to every word you say.” He explained that he has to act accordingly around them. “You don’t want them to curse, so you don’t curse. You don’t want them to lie, so you don’t lie.” … I asked him if his time with these young people had anything to do with the absence of his own father. “Right,” he said, taking off on my question before I even finished. “So I relate to the kids like that,” meaning like a father. I nodded. “Yeah,” he continued. “I kind of feel that way.” — Moustafa Bayoumi, How Does It Feel to Be a Problem? Being…, 959