The day we met with Othman Atta, the TV was on in his office. He and his staff were watching the news, wondering whether a stay-at-home order would be issued in our state because of Covid-19. A few hours later, he’d make the call to close the school at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, where he’s the executive director. The Islamic Society, a community center that includes a full-time school on two campuses and about 850 students, serves a diverse community from all over the world, from countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Somalia, Turkey, Syria, Burma and many others. He would have to communicate with the whole of that community in the days ahead, he knew. The days ahead would be challenging. In the midst of all of that, Othman still wanted to talk to us, to take a few minutes to talk about democracy and citizenship. We offered to return another day, but he insisted and was more calm than we were. Othman is a lawyer who was born in Palestine and who’s held various positions at the center. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University Law School. He’s often a go-to source for media in need of a Muslim or Arab perspective, including about the  Gulf War and the attacks of Sept. 11. He spoke to us about what it was like to challenge his elders with questions, to find his way as an American Muslim, and to create a space where young people can do the same.