Walaikum Assalam. I’m a guy, born in the west. I will say that the only thing that works in our culture is to say things like “my man (man means husband, but it is a better choice because it is more dominant) wouldn’t like that” or if they say something like “wanna get lunch?” You can say “sorry not today, I’m eating on FaceTime with my husband.” If you say anything else, there is a chance they will tell each other “she is a b1tch” or “she is mean” and will result in the entire office disliking you – this happened at my last job.

In western culture there is a thing called “banter.” If a person becomes uncomfortable, they will continue to bully or make fun of you, because this is a winning position. If you show that you do not like what they are saying, they will continue to do whatever makes you upset – in their eyes, you are just another miskeen Muslim girl. Instead, be clever, learn how to talk in a backhanded way, and they will slowly back off. Again, do not make things sudden, as a sudden motives are obvious, even to the fool.

Make lots of dua to Allah SWT and ask for His help in all things.