Source: @moosleemargh Instagram

Over the past few years, we have seen the emergence of a number of Muslim illustrators who use their work to highlight real issues faced by Muslim communities. We are delighted to see two of our favourites come together and collaborate to talk about ‘train track anxiety’.

Train track anxiety became a thing in 2015 after it was reported that a man tried to push a hijabi Muslim woman as a train approached on the London underground. The woman, fortunately, bounced off the front of the driver’s door at the front of the train and landed back on the platform. The man was then charged with attempted murder. The story shocked many and to this day many Muslim women seek precaution when waiting for a train by standing back.

@moosleemargh and @yesimhotinthis have come together to illustrate the experience, showing a Muslim woman in worry as a train approaches and being comforted by another sister.

Source: @moosleemargh Instagram

The illustration has garnered a number of comments from fellow Muslims who have experienced the same feelings and have found comfort in solidarity and knowing they are not alone.

“I didn’t realize other people had this fear! Both reassuring and sad”

– @halebonez

“This is me whenever I go to London!! This is why I love that they have the barriers at some stations now”

– @melaninmodesty

“Sad that I have the same fear near train/subway tracks…but also comforting to know it’s not just me ???? may we all be safe and secure always iA”

– @amnaomnomnom

“This particular issue is very real for me, I travel on the London underground almost daily and walking/being too close to the train tracks makes me dizzy with nerves because I’m paranoid that some horrible person is going to push me. It’s a sad reality for some of us and something that I wanted to highlight so that others may understand and the rest of us may find solidarity.”

– Nasima, creator of Moosleemargh

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“Sisterhood is being there for each other. I loved doing this collab. I’ve been a huge fan of @moosleemargh since I started my account almost a year ago. She makes beautiful art from a unique perspective. Big hugs from across the pond.”

– Huda, creator of YesImHotInThis

Here is what Twitter had to say:

Omg I thought I was mad for having a fear of the underground. Everytime I’m there I have to make sure I’m nowhere near the tracks in case I do get pushed. https://t.co/iuyielscJ8

— to study or not to study? that is the question (@hanxine) March 5, 2018

Oi I thought I was the only one????? Proper scared that one John or Bill will get angry looking at me and just boot me onto the tracks https://t.co/AVKfFXwnmZ

— Daenerys Targaryen (@fattyturna) March 5, 2018

I'd never stand too close to the track in London or any big city & I'm always aware of my surrounding. https://t.co/QdL7DM3oag

— BiBi ???????????????? (@Rabeb_Othmani) March 5, 2018

Whenever I travel I get scared I'll be pushed, so I try to not stand so close to the tracks. It's something my father told me to do. https://t.co/5Cp0XI4mvQ

— Blessed ???? (@SnowDesi) March 5, 2018

why was i just thinking this before seeing this https://t.co/v2X1X8OMkf

— ༄ (@fuIani) March 5, 2018

I always think about this when I'm waiting for the train…sad but true https://t.co/RuKcAj0LVM

— Shuri (@farhia_94) March 5, 2018

I really thought I was the only one with this fear. I'm always so scared to walk in front of people in the subway https://t.co/g99m5QEccl

— ???????? (@gaROOAAAR) March 5, 2018

Honestly, I hate that I'm too scared to stand anywhere near the edge of the platform because it means rush hour requires double the work ???? https://t.co/OWWAdkmDqV

— Ayesha Khanom (@akxx95) March 5, 2018

Can't explain how much I dread my daily commute because of this. It's not just the platform, I've lost count of how many times I've been pushed ON the train or walking through a station https://t.co/39mGqFChi0

— Maaiysa (@Maaiysa) March 5, 2018

Train track anxiety is definitely a thing. I’m always back to wall waiting for the tube & often spot other Muslim women doing the same. Shoutout to @Amaliah_Tweets for highlighting the issue and the solidarity ✊???? https://t.co/t9rCrLPFxI

— Sabeena (@pocobookreader) March 5, 2018

Sisterhood is being there for each other. I loved doing this collab. I've been a huge fan of @moosleemargh since I started my account almost a year ago. She makes beautiful art from a unique perspective. Big hugs from across the pond ❤️????????

A post shared by Yes, I'm Hot In This (@yesimhotinthis) on Mar 2, 2018 at 8:51am PST

While no one should feel this fear while going about their day to day lives we hope that this helps sisters find strength!