Ring is excerpted from Youssef Rakha’s forthcoming collection of essays, Postmuslim, forthcoming from Graywolf Press in September 2026. ONE A mutual friend texts me offering their condolences. I’m having an espresso outdoors on the way to boxing practice, and I have no idea what they’re talking about. “I’m so sorry,” they say. “I thought you knew.” Late afternoon, beautiful weather. It takes a whi...