A'salaamu alaikum ya'll. Soooo hmmm this isn't really a rant but I am kinda like (see title) really? I mean really???
I was out at the grocery today when a woman crosses to my side. Oh ok, I mentally say, she wants to ask me something. Sure 'nough, she approaches. This is our conversation:
Her: "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"
Me: (Want to say, you already did but she probably wouldn't get the humor.) "Sure go ahead".
Her: "Aren't you hot in that?" referring to my abaya and khimar.
OK so I answer her, blah blah blah, lightweight, breezy, blah blah blah. But for once, just once, I would loooove for someone to approach me and say, Hey what you think about that thar big old MOSQUE they building at ground zero?. Or even, Why do you guys hate America?
Really anything. I don't mind answering questions, wallah, but sometimes I would love for it to be about more than my fashion sense (which is kinda an oxymoron). I want to be able to share the beauty of my religion not my beauty secrets. I know that same woman has to have 1001 misconceptions about Islam but she was too afraid to ask or too dull to be curious. Not sure which one.
I always, aftering answering the fluff questions, say "Don't hesitate to ask me anything" in the (vain) hope they will actually has me a question with sustenance.
I know I shouldn't be annoyed; insha'allah next time she hears something about Islam on tv I'll pop up in her mind: smiling, kind, helpful... Maybe that's how she will remember me. Either that or "big black walking triangle" lol.
So just curious what questions ya'll get asked the most frequently?
Ma salaama....
8 comments:
You know, I really don't get asked questions that often, Alhamdulillah (meaning no negative questions). I've actually been asked several times if I was a nun, and one guy asked me if I was Greek Orthodox, and I simply told them I was a Muslim. I had one woman ask me if I was hot wearing my khimar and jilbab, and I answered honestly that I really don't get hot (and I really don't, even in the summer Alhamdulillah). I think for me, honesty and short, clear answers are the best policy. I also invite people to come to my masjid if they're interested and want to check it out (Alhamdulillah, our masjid is always open and very welcoming to all visitors).
LOL, Whenever I hear "can i ask you something" I know it's going to be about my scarf.
The weirdest thing anyone has ever asked me is if my straight pins were threaded through my scalp. Like if I had some kind of ritualistic piercing that my scarf was attached to. She actually asked me that on 2 seperate occasions so i know she was thinking about it! I never understood that one.
Mosque's Saudi Patron
http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/545180/201008261900/Mosques-Saudi-Patron.aspx
Islamofascism: New dots are emerging from the probe into who's behind the Ground Zero mosque, and the radical Muslim Brotherhood is coming into view.
While a couple of U.S. nonprofits — the Cordoba Initiative and its sister, the American Society for Muslim Advancement — are coordinating the New York project, they hardly give the full picture. A Saudi charity has sunk more than $300,000 into ASMA. It's called the Kingdom Foundation — headed by Alwaleed bin Talal, the Saudi prince whose 9/11 relief check was rejected after he blamed the attacks on U.S. foreign policy.
Bin Talal is a major financier of Muslim Brotherhood fronts in the U.S. His foundation is run by Saudi hijabi Muna Abu Sulayman, who appears on ASMA's Web site as one of its "Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow."
"Her work," according to her official bio, "focuses on increasing understanding between Islam and the West through establishment of academic centers and programs, both in the Middle East and the United States."
Sulayman, who spends much of her time in the U.S., happens to be the daughter of Dr. AbdulHamid Abu Sulayman, "one of the most important figures in the history of the global Muslim Brotherhood," according to the Global Muslim Brotherhood Daily Report.
So? The Egypt-based Brotherhood is the parent of Hamas and al-Qaida and the source of most of the jihadi ideology and related terror throughout the world today. Citing its secret U.S. archives, prosecutors say the Brotherhood has a plan to "destroy" America "from within," and is using its agents and front groups in the U.S. to carry out that strategy. Like the mafia, it's highly organized, and uses shells and cutouts to launder money.
Dr. Sulayman's U.S. offices were raided by the feds after 9/11 on suspicion of providing material support to terror groups. An unsealed federal search warrant lists him as chairman and president of the International Institute of Islamic Thought, or IIIT, the Brotherhood's U.S. think tank.
In December 2008, IIIT hosted Ground Zero mosque imam Feisal Rauf to discuss his Shariah Index Project, which will be housed in the planned 15-story structure. The index will formally rate which governments best follow Islamic law, as practiced by Saudi.
Sulayman succeeded Rauf's late father, Muhammad, as rector of the International Islamic University in Malaysia. Rauf keeps an office in Malaysia, and he's held Shariah project meetings there.
Moreover, Rauf's 2004 book on Islam was published in Malaysia under the title, "A Call to Prayer from the World Trade Center Rubble: Islamic Dawa in the Heart of America Post-9/11." Dawa is Arabic for proselytizing.
In the book, the New York imam calls for a "subsidiary entity within the judiciary" in America that adjudicates on Shariah compliance.
Rauf's father was born in Egypt. Both he and Sulayman studied Islam in Cairo, Brotherhood headquarters. Sulayman is also listed by the feds as secretary of an Islamic school in Virginia called GSISS — at least that's what it used to be called, before it was raided. Now it goes by "Cordoba University."
Rauf insists he's a "healer" trying to build "bridges" between Islam and the West. But these radical Brotherhood connections raise new suspicions.
My question Ummi is if you now still support the Victory mosque in NY? Have many more links if able to post. God Bless
Salaam! @ Anne: masha'Allah you don't get hot. :-) In the south I did but here? It's no problem even on the hotter days cause I think humidity is a big factor. I am sure you remember also your new-convert days when you had to piece together things and often something was a poly knit and hot as heck? Yeah good days, good days. :-)
@ Steph, that is the WEIRDEST question I've ever heard. And twice? Really? That's he-lar-ious.
@ LFOG (haha sounds like you have a rap star name, L-Fog :-) I'll go straight to your question which was do I still support a victory mosque... There is no Islamic precedent for building a masjid as a symbol of victory over and adversary. As I am sure you know, in Islam bidah or innovation is strictly prohibited so I'll rephrase your question for you. :-)
Do I still support the building of an Islamic community center there? Yes I do. New York, in the same 2 block radius, has a nasty little "gentlemen's club" and several other high establishments of like ilk. :-D I do believe an Islamic community center, built to serve the Muslim citizens of that area, is a far better idea. Also in this current economy, I can't help but wonder who else was wanting to chunk up the change to buy this building? It will only be a positive for the area in my opinion.
I would like to address 2 points specifically. One you said that dawah is Islamic prosetlyzing. Not quite. Dawah means to call to Islam, yes, but in Islam there is no compulsion. We don't do the Jehovah Witness thang. :-)) So for us, "calling to Islam" can be as simple as being available to answer questions to a curious passerby or yes, even building an Islamic center in an area where I S L A M is on everyone's mind. (Or so I picture it but I am sure the native NY'er doesn't pay so much attention). You know as well as I do, LFOG, that the average American doesn't care too hard or for too long. They are worried about making their mortgage or buying groceries the next week, or what to do with their failing marriage. Meaning they are busy with their own lives.
The 2nd point I would like to make note of is the fact that Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is actually the 2nd largest shareholder of the parent company that owns Fox News. (Nod to Jon Stewart for showing me that one! lol). So... does that mean Fox News and it's parent company are a terrorist organization? It can't go just one way.
As a Muslim, shariah and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabic are not repugnant words for me; so the fact that someone accepts assistance from that country or someone appreciate shariah law doesn't make them anything odd to me. TRUE shariah, mind you. Much like TRUE Christianity, very often discussed but verrrrry rarely practiced.
Oh also, just because the feds RAID an office doesn't make the person guilty. Or perhaps this is just another of the rights enjoyed by all Americans (who by definition are interlopers and illegal immigrants, ask any Native American!) that is going to be denied a Muslim. The right to be innocent until proven guilty in a COURT OF LAW. Not like the men in the Gitmo detention facility.
I really wonder what history will have to say about this era in another 50 years? Insha'allah may I be around to witness it. :-)
Peace out, yo L-Fog. :-) Sorry just a little of my hijabi gangsta humor. :)
Hello Umma, I know of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's stock in Fox News. What Mr.Stewart also hasn't said how M. Talal HAS used his influence before to squash news reports of jihad attacks against non muslims in other countries. I could link to some examples but have been fairly busy and hope to post on your other blog entry :-).
I also know a lil about Da'wah orدعوة . It comes from to invite or summon. Those who practice it are somewhat considered missionaries and many Muslim groups around the world engage in dawah.
The problem is in Muslim countries under Sharia the State enforces Islam onto the people and non Muslims are persecuted and discriminated against. At least 500 million Christians are in Muslim countries esp. in places such as Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, etc. Even countries such as Indonesia and Turkey which which are "secular" states have seen a major surge of jihad attacks and persecutions of non Muslims. Of course I also knew and worked with a Turkish Muslim and heard how sadly in the Middle East many Arabs don't feel that Turks are "real" muslims and look down on them.
Like the nickname btw lol
You know, I'm not muslim, but when I started hearing this so called debate about the mosque, I truly didn't understand why it was even an issue. My first thought was that maybe it was something related to money, as is usually the case. But, to think that it's actually due to religion is pretty upsetting because this is America, and we're supposed to have that right. It saddens me because I've seen how we have progressively become more hostile towards anything and/or anyone that is different or doesn't share the same beliefs. I know that the AZ immigration law is a different topic, but it is one that I could personally be affected by and another one that just seems plain wrong.
Salaam (peace) Maria and thanks so much for your comments. I don't live in AZ but I am against their new policies; more than any actual or proposed laws, I am against the theory of them, to create an atmosphere of distrust and fear.
Ma salaama (bye)
Salams sis! I think next time you get asked if you're 'hot in that' you should just be like, "No, actually it has built-in air conditioning, WANNA SEE?" and then wait for them to stop looking shocked before you give them the straight answer. Questions like "Are you hot?" are so rhetorical, shake things up a bit!!!
Post a Comment