Although I am from Bosnia where no one taught us religion, I am reading books and trying to learn about Islam. I desperately want to visit my family in Bosnia this summer, but do not know how to cope with not being able to embrace my cousins or even shake their hands? They are like brothers to me. I have even thought it better not to go, than to go and have them make fun of me. What should I do?

You may embrace your cousins of the same sex in all cases. Tell those of the opposite sex that according to the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) you are not supposed to do so.