Believe it Or Not, We Are Just Human
It’s expected that some Muslim faith schools are to add an extra subject to the academic syllabus to tackle extremism, an action that some governments have recommended. With groans from students having to study for yet another class, Citizenship lessons might actually prove useful. Topics tackled are issues that wouldn’t necessarily be discussed in a teacher-student environment.
Already some Muslim schools have taken on this challenge, introducing subjects of extremism, loyalty to one’s country, respecting people from different religions and cultures, and so forth. Hopefully not only will this subject help students to understand more about peace and mercy in the Islamic religion towards others, it could also improve social cohesion.
But- I wondered as I stepped into a famous Museum where millions congregate to marvel at statues and items locked safely behind glass cabinets- But- shouldn’t non-Muslim schools around the world be requested to take on Citizenship lessons too, teaching students that the majority of Muslims are against extremism and terrorism, that Muslims are not a freak show to be stared at, or a circus show to be laughed at, that we have not just escaped from a high-security mental institution, that no, we do not have bad breath and we are certainly not contagious from any diseases. Surely it would be a good place to start to learn how both sides of the coin can live together. I could teach my students all about respecting others, but these “others” should also be taught to respect us in return- it takes two to tango.
Evidently there is no tango-ing yet. Walking around the Museum with a large group of Muslim veiled girls, I was shocked, no- mortified and emotionally violated. People everywhere looked at us, individually and as a group, with rude, disgusted stares. A few were ready to physically attack us. Isn’t that extremism on their part?
That’s not forgetting the flash photography aimed at the girls without their will- how do famous people deal with the paparazzi? Every time I saw a flash I went hysterical. In a sly fashion, random men would stroll next to the girls and take a shot, for what purpose is beyond my imagination. Some were too cowardly to come close up, but were spotted afar hiding behind statues while taking their shot. With the new age of digital cameras, every single person had one and we all felt vulnerable and exposed. Asking for help from security staff we were told there was nothing they could do and suggested that we write to the Museum to complain. How helpful.
For a second I honestly believed that these people thought the Museum was running a special exhibition dubbed Mad Muslim Women! Perhaps, in a more positive thought, they were astonished to find a bunch of “intellectual” Muslim women interested in visiting a Museum instead of the local market or as its traditionally known, the souq! We should have held a banner stating “Believe it or not, we are just innocent Citizens here- just human!” if we had known of the reception we were going to have.
Surely these people need to be taught one or two (or perhaps a few hundred) Citizenship lessons, or something, to avoid such ignorance and as a result, social unrest. In order for all humans to live peacefully, each side has to take the step to understand one another. It’s pointless to have one side do all the leg work. Who said ignorance is a bliss? I pity the people I met at the Museum, because they have no idea that we are decent human beings that do not deserve to be treated with such contempt.
Being in that situation felt like a reconstruction scene of the hardships the Prophet Muhammad and his early followers faced from non-believers. But what we went through at the Museum is nothing compared to what the earliest Muslims went through, at least I hope it never gets that bad. I hope and pray that one day we can all accept that we are sharing the same planet and we have to live together in harmony and respect our differences.
I hope and pray- what else is a girl to do when she’s exposed at the Museum.
This is an excellent entry. And welcome back, by the way : )
I recently delivered a speech in one of my classes on how everyone should be required to take multi-cultural courses in school. The significance of this is that we are growing up in a diverse world. No matter if there is a “dominant culture,” we still need to acknowledge that there are other people in the world who come from different ethnic backgrounds, follow different religions, and practice different customs.
There is a lot of ignorance towards Muslims/Islam in the United States, and I have experienced much of this first hand. I get weird looks too, but not nearly as much as the Muslim sisters who wear hijaab or niqaab. I believe in out-reach programs as well as creating dialogue through film. It’s really important for us to express ourselves, just like you continue to do so on your blog. I was in a book store once and I was in the “Religion” section, and a lady asked me what book I was getting. I showed her the book, “And Muhammad is His Messenger” by Annemarie Schimmel, and she was like “Oh, an Islamic book.” Then she asked me, “now, you guys don’t believe in Jesus, right?” I explained to her what Muslims believed, not just about Jesus (peace be upon him), but also about how we all descend from Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him). We had a long and friendly conversation, and at the end, she said, “I am so glad I met you because honestly, I initially had negative views about Islam.” It was a really nice moment and it just shows how communication can make a huge difference.
I do agree that there are some extremist Muslim teachers in Muslim based schools, but like you said, it works both ways. I remember in high school, my history teacher showed us the movie “Not Without My Daughter” when we were learning about Middle-Eastern history! I don’t know if you have seen that or not, but it is about an Iranian Muslim husband who kidnaps his American wife and daughter in Iran! Of all movies to show HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, the teacher chose to show this one. As if this wasn’t enough, he made us do a project on terrorist organizations, and all of them were Muslim organizations.
To me, this is just promotes ignorance and stereotypes. Stereotyping is dangerous because it categorizes people and it strips their individualistic qualities and characteristics. Just like you experienced at the Museum, those people were not staring at YOU the individual, they were staring and giving rude looks to the stereotype.
We need to communicate, we need to educate, and we need to accept each other for who they are : )
Broken Mystic
April 15, 2008 at 12:01 am
That sounds like a horrible experience that you and the other girls had to go through and I hope that something is done about it.. how rude! Please do write to the museum to complain and also to the newspaper and let this be heard.
We have a mandatory class in high school that deals with issues like this that all students take in grade 10, previous to that in middle school learning about other faiths and people is a huge part of the curriculum and connects to almost every course. I think it’s important to have this kind of education on both sides too and I’m surprised that the schools where you live don’t address these topics. If you take this issue to the school board and see what they say, I’d be curious to know their reasoning.
'liya
April 15, 2008 at 12:31 am
“Surely it would be a good place to start to learn how both sides of the coin can live together. I could teach my students all about respecting others, but these “others” should also be taught to respect us in return- it takes two to tango.”
I could not agree more as it is a small world we now live in thanks to modern technology.
I must for myself confess that as I come across for the first time new cultural, religious or otherwise forms of dress or anything different for me period, I am prone to have an inquisitive look I am sure. It is not meant to be rude but rather of interest as I am the type of person who enjoys what I will term as seeing something new to me be it in my own homeland or elsewhere.
My wife is from another culture (Hindi and born in Fiji), I must say I enjoy what I have learned from, and about her as it has enabled me to broaden my horizons and thin out any prejudices, I may have had from personal ignorance. In fact (I am a Caucasian Canadian) and I proudly wear clothing from her culture when we go to special events etc for her side of the family and even just because. Deep down I feel good that I can do so with respect and a true love for her and her background, not out of mockery.
As for those who take the photographs, pity them their ignorance for not asking permission first. Perhaps if the tables were turned they might better understand. As a photographer I understand and respect others rights and always ask before taking someone’s image, including close friends most times. The only time I don’t ask and take images of anyone as I see fit is when I am covering an event for potential publication which then is classified as public domain and even then I look for the participants more than the spectators where possible, or I have been hired to cover. Celebrities and politicians of course gave up those rights as part of the life style that they chose in respect to news coverage etc…
So don’t feel angry or upset, feel proud of who you are and pity those who fail to try to understand. As you say, only by educating each other will we as the human race begin to truly understand one another.
As for terrorism, sadly Bin Laden has painted the Muslim people with that tainted brush. What we as a world race need to understand is that Terrorism knows no race creed, colour or religion. It exists in every country and culture in one form or another.
Unique, your hiatus has only strengthened your skills to attempt to open the eyes of all of us to learn to get along. It is good to have you back.
Allan
April 15, 2008 at 1:36 am
EH! I can’t believe the behavior of those people! Which museum was this in?!
I agree with you that it’s EVERY school’s responsibility to teach its students about responsible citizenship.
Muslimah Media Watch
April 15, 2008 at 1:55 am
No one can deny that classes in citizenship and multi-culturalism can encourage tolerance if not better understanding of differing ideologies. However, the discriminatory behavior suffered by some Muslims, especially muhajibaat, will likely not subside until we Muslims, ourselves, face the issue of terrorism and admit that the current wave has arisen from a particular interpretation of Islam, and is based upon certain Qur’anic ayahs. We– not America, Europe, or any other country– are responsible for eradicating terrorism, and we have not done so.
We must also admit that many Muslims have expressed the belief that the United States “got what it deserved” on 9/11.
No matter how many times you tell a non-Muslim that 99% of Muslims do not support terrorism, the non-Muslim will never know whether the muhajibaat walking down the street belong to the 99% or the 1%. To those who belong to the 99%, the question is asked, “Why would you want to belong to a religion which has given rise to the worst cases of terrorism in recent history?
Non-Muslims aren’t taking any chances.How can you blame them?
Marahm
April 15, 2008 at 4:57 am
“People everywhere looked at us, individually and as a group, with rude, disgusted stares. A few were ready to physically attack us. Isn’t that extremism on their part?”
First, how do you know they were ready to attack you? That is a pretty ridiculous case of projection on your part.
Second, if we were to examine the parallels, Christianity is outlawed in many muslim countries. And Christians in places like Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, East Timor, Indonesia etc. are being driven from their homes by horrendous acts of violence by Muslims.
Until I see massive demonstrations by the billion plus muslims against such violence against Christians, people will stare at you like you are a threat. Take some responsibility and stop trying to play the victim. You are not a victim, because you are being treated with much greater respect here than Christians are in muslim lands.
Fr. J.
April 15, 2008 at 3:38 pm
What’s ridiculous is that you, Fr. J, seem to act like you were there! I must remind you that you were not there and yes, some were ready to attack us- I did not wish to describe the actions in detail so as not to revisit the traumatic experience but it did happen. I would be nice if people were more broad-minded and sympathetic to each individuals’ experiences. Just because you feel passionate about this issue you raised does not mean I am playing a victim. What happened to being a human and feeling some sympathy to our experiences? Why attack and cause greater divisions between our understanding of each other?
Why should people stare at me like a threat if I do not display anything but peaceful manners and grace? What happened in the Museum was unacceptable and I do my best to show others that I am against violence, it’s not my fault if “billions” do not join me in it!
And please don’t be so naive, some Muslim lands give VIP treatment to foriegners. I think the case here is that you wish to concentrate on that minority that don’t.
Unique Muslimah
April 15, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I support Muslim school in western or any other countries. It can help them understanding Islam.
jookut
April 15, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Fr. J, I am sorry that Christians are mistreated in Muslim countries, but that fact does not justify the reverse. It is true that the Bible includes many verses parallel to the verses that justify terrorism, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that the Qur’an is used to justify terrorism. Parallels do not cancel each other out. They simply encourage continuation of the same.
Unique and her groups were victims of social abuse, but I do not think we can call it extremism. Muhajibaat in the West must realize that their choice to cover will result in the disapproval of people in public places.
One day I was driving on the freeway, covered, and several men in an adjacent car tried to force me off the road. That was the last time I covered in public. I will not tolerate that treatment, common in today’s heightened tension between Muslims and non-Muslims, but I do not claim that my solution is best for Unique. I merely suggest that muhajibaat must prepare themselves for ill treatment in public. I also suggest the we Muslims have the ultimate responsibility for pulling our faith and our customs up from out of the muck of abuse, and Allah knows best.
Marahm
April 15, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Until I see massive demonstrations by the billion plus muslims against such violence against Christians, people will stare at you like you are a threat. Take some responsibility and stop trying to play the victim.
Hmmm, playing devils advocate here I am reminded of the Spanish inquisition and alter boys being abused and the catholic and protestant feuds in Ireland. Yes Fr. J. there is good and bad in every religion and ignorance and the lack of looking at the good each has to offer vs the bad deprives us all of the blessings of just being rational and loving human beings and truly loving one another for who we are and not what we perceive everyone should be like.
Allan
April 15, 2008 at 7:17 pm
“Until I see massive demonstrations by the billion plus muslims against such violence against Christians, people will stare at you like you are a threat.”
How dare you suggest such. Actually Christains were protected in Iraq when Saddam was in charge. Now they are under threat day and night. Christian children and women are being kidnapped and pimped out in Sudan (even boys!) by Muslims there.
But God forbid someone takes a freakn’ picture.
nonracist
April 15, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Salaam Alaicum and… Welcome back!
The fact is about the other. Our kids aren’t being educated to respect differences anywhere. more on the contrary, they’re pressed to get uniformed and never stand out. A hijab, a skin colour, a different political idea… all of them are a challenge to that uniform. They can start to think by themselves!!
Small Blue Thing
April 15, 2008 at 9:08 pm
To Fr. J.,
I personally find it very regressive when people compare and contrast certain situations, and then behave as if one group is suffering more than another. I find it regressive because it’s suggesting that one person’s experience is not as important as the other person’s. I don’t understand it when people ignore or downplay other people’s experiences. Like Unique mentioned, you were not present when this happened, so your remarks were quite accusatory. How would you know about what really happened?
This is not a competition to see which group is more oppressed or persecuted than the other. To say that Muslims are playing victim is utterly ridiculous and very insulting because it’s as if the reports of Muslims being MURDERED in the U.S. in the post 9/11 era doesn’t mean a thing to you. I wrote a 21 page research paper last semester on the prejudice, hate crimes, and discriminatory actions against Muslim Americans, and I have a huge collection of incident reports (as well as the sources), so if you need them, please feel free to ask. There is an ANNUAL increase of hate crimes and discriminatory acts towards Muslims in the United States. You say we’re playing victim? Tell that to the Afghani children who saw their mother get shot in the head in the parking lot of a grocery store in California; tell that to the children of the Pakistani Muslim father who was shot and killed at a gas station by an ignorant American who shouted, “This is America! Go ahead, arrest me and let those terrorists run wild!” Tell that the Muslim woman who was followed on campus in April of 2006, and then beaten up by a middle-aged man who shouted racial slurs at her and tore off her head scarf. She was hospitalized for contusions and a dislocated shoulder. My friend had this car damaged with burn marks and dents just because of his skin color. Here’s the “funny” part: He’s a Pakistani Christian!
Should we ignore these stories and simply say, “well, until there is a mass demonstration against the violence against Christians in Muslim lands…” or should we actually DO something about it? I grew up in the United States, I grew up with non-Muslim friends, and I believe true patriotism is about CARING enough for your country that you want to IMPROVE it. I don’t want my children to face this kind of discrimination, hatred, and potential violence when they grow up here. Would you want YOUR children to hate Muslims or mistreat others just because they are not Christian? Would you teach them to hate other people just because they are different than you?
I would suggest that you, as a human being, acknowledge that every single person in the world has value. You are generalizing about the entire Muslim population. Instead of seeing the individual characteristics and differences, you are simple looking at the faulty generalization that you have about Muslim people (i.e. none of them are speaking out against the persecutions of Christian people). Of course there are occurrences in Muslim countries where Christians and other minority groups are mistreated, but do you think this happens ALL the time? Have you ever been to Morocco? Have you ever been to those Muslim countries that you mentioned? I have friends who are Pakistani Christian and they have not experienced any problems with the Muslim majority of Pakistan.
I would not deny that those things do not happen — I am well aware that it happens, but you shouldn’t be so judgmental and suggest that Muslims don’t say anything about it. Have you ever visited a Mosque? Have you ever attended an inter-faith event? I was at a CAIR banquet this weekend (Council of American-Islamic Relations) and all of their speeches and presentations were about coexistence and unity. We need to build stronger bridges of understanding. If you continue to perceive our experiences as exaggerations or “ridiculous cases of projection,” then you are simply dividing yourselves from us. Why separate when we all can be united? A huge part of solving conflict between groups is LISTENING. We must be willing to broaden our minds and not only listen to what the other person has to say, but also to EMPATHIZE and to SEE THINGS from THEIR point of view. You seem like a devout Christian, so I’m sure you understand what I mean by empathy.
Salaam/Shalom/Shlama/Peace
Broken Mystic
April 15, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I have seen no notable public demonstrations by Muslims against terrorism anywhere in the world. I will fully support you, when you organize such demonstrations, until then you are complicit in countless evils.
I am perfectly glad to understand Islam when it has taken responsibility for the violence committed in its name.
Fr. J.
April 15, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Thanks for letting me pick this up! It’s now posted over at http://islamonmyside.com/.
Shawna
April 15, 2008 at 9:28 pm
*ahem* I lived in Lebanon for many years and the Christians and Muslims are doing ok about land. So please leave Lebanon out of your ignorant list Fr.J. the old war is over move along. But I do understand a small point you have that both sides need to see the light of exchange. But BOTH sides really need to see it.
ALL sides in fact.
As to the museam I’d file a complaint in the local paper so those that were there hopefully read it and be ashamed. Maybe they just thought you were soo good looking they couldn’t resist your pictures
You know how revealing Muslim women dress…they couldn’t resist that is all. 
School issue of course ALL sides need to be educated about each other. Which is banned in many schools in Lebanon because in trying to point out different religions it caused more strife and points of hatred to flair. ANywas I learned alot about world religions in 10th grade and it was my teacher’s possitive attitude about Islam and the benefits of zakat and prayers and Hajj that later led me to become Muslim. Subhan’Allah so hopefully if we educate poeple more they will be more willing to embrace Islam easier or at least to tollorate it better.
As you said we are all just humans….
AmericanMuslimaWriter
April 16, 2008 at 12:14 am
I have learned long time ago to respect, love, and befriend people of different faiths, only because I have always been very interested in cultures and religions other than those of my own and with which I grew up in.
Unfortunately, my husband’s family sees all Muslims in a very negative light, and thinks the Qu’ran supports terrorism — I never read it, so I can’t say for sure. (Hmmm…study the OT of our Bible!!!)
I never thought all, or even most, Muslims to be like those idiots of 9/11, because I studied Muslim history and culture on my own in the two years before that date occurred, so I never developed the prejudice my peers had. It is unfortunate that religion remains a barrier rather than a gatherer of people.
I am also smart enough to know that there are just as many variant schools of Islam as there are like in Christianity.
Jersey
April 16, 2008 at 12:45 am
Fr.J.
No offense, but I think that it is not fair for you to stereotype Muslims as what you see everyday on the TV. I am a Muslim. and most of us are against violence acts, and fyi sometimes you need to know the religion 1st before start complaining and making such judgment because, please, I can always respect your religion the way it is. I know that every religions promote peace and kindness, so stop incriminating this religion.
More Love, Less Hate.
moja
April 16, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Thank you everyone for your valuable comments.
Fr. J- ” I will fully support you, when you organize such demonstrations, until then you are complicit in countless evils.”
How can I be responsible for other people’s evils? That is a strange concept!
I go out of my way to be a good citizen and human being, I cannot control other peoples’ actions, but I can try to show others that I am a peaceful Muslim and that is what I’m doing.
Sadly people who are rigid in their thinking create more of a divide between cultures and societies because they are into stereotyping and making everyone into a rotten apple.
Unique Muslimah
April 16, 2008 at 8:33 pm
We seem not to have disagreements regarding the desirability of education, dialogue, open-mindedness, etc, but we are missing Fr. J’s point, maybe because of his defensive language.
It is easy for us to cite hate crimes against our brothers and sisters. It is also easy for us to talk about the peace, beauty, and wisdom of Islam, because Islam is overflowing with these qualities.
However, if Fr. J examined our faith and gained an appreciation of it, he would still ask the same hard questions we, ourselves, should not only be asking, but answering.
Does the Qur’an justify terrorism? Sure sounds that way from some of the ayahs used for the purpose. We have to recognize that hate crimes against Muslims have mushroomed since 9/11, and we do need to take some repsonsibility, not for the crimes, but for addressing the conditions that led to them.
Until then, Muslims will continue to be victimized by rabid Westerners whose cultural matrix —along with thousands of people— has been savagely ripped into oblivion, and why? Ostensibly, for the greater glory of Allah.
Marahm
April 17, 2008 at 6:49 am
[...] Unique Muslimah writes about loyalty to one’s country: But- I wondered as I stepped into a famous Museum where millions congregate to marvel at statues and items locked safely behind glass cabinets- But- shouldn’t non-Muslim schools around the world be requested to take on Citizenship lessons too, teaching students that the majority of Muslims are against extremism and terrorism, that Muslims are not a freak show to be stared at, or a circus show to be laughed at, that we have not just escaped from a high-security mental institution, that no, we do not have bad breath and we are certainly not contagious from any diseases. Surely it would be a good place to start to learn how both sides of the coin can live together. I could teach my students all about respecting others, but these “others” should also be taught to respect us in return- it takes two to tango. [...]
We Are Just Human
April 17, 2008 at 6:18 pm