' Why She Won't Wear Hijab '

I had a good read on this email... Sharing it with you readers...

"I'm so tired."
"Tired of what?"
"Of all these people judging me."
"Who judged you?"
"Like that woman, every time I sit with her, she tells me to wear hijab."
"Oh, hijab and music! The mother of all topics!"
"Yeah! I listen to music without hijab…haha!"
"Maybe she was just giving you advice."
"I don't need her advice. I know my religion. Can`t she mind her own business?"
"Maybe you misunderstood. She was just being nice."
"Keeping out of my business, that would be nice..."
"But it's her duty to encourage you do to good."
"Trust me. That was no encouragement. And what do you mean `good` ?"
"Well, wearing hijab, that would be a good thing to do."
"Says who?"
"It's in the Qur'an, isn't it?"
"Yes. She did quote me something."
"She said Surah Nur, and other places of the Qur'an."
"Yes, but it's not a big sin anyway. Helping people and praying is more important."
"True. But big things start with small things."
"That's a good point, but what you wear is not important. What's important is to have a good healthy heart."
"What you wear is not important?"
"That's what I said."
"Then why do you spend an hour every morning fixing up?"
"What do you mean?"
"You spend money on cosmetics, not to mention all the time you spend on fixing your hair and low-carb dieting."
"So?"
"So, your appearance IS important."
"No. I said wearing hijab is not an important thing in religion."
"If it's not an important thing in religion, why is it mentioned in the Holy Qur'an?"
"You know I can't follow all that's in Qur'an."
"You mean God tells you something to do, you disobey and then it's OK?"
"Yes. God is forgiving."
"God is forgiving to those who repent and do not repeat their mistakes."
"Says who?"
"Says the same book that tells you to cover."
"But I don't like hijab, it limits my freedom."
"But the lotions, lipsticks, mascara and other cosmetics set you free?! What`s your definition of freedom anyway?"
"Freedom is in doing whatever you like to do."
"No. Freedom is in doing the right thing, not in doing whatever we wish to do."
"Look! I've seen so many people who don't wear hijab and are nice people, and so many who wear hijab and are bad people."
"So what? There are people who are nice to you but are alcoholic. Should we all be alcoholics? You made a stupid point."
"I don't want to be an extremist or a fanatic. I'm OK the way I am without hijab."
"Then you are a secular fanatic. An extremist in disobeying God."
"You don't get it, if I wear hijab, who would marry me?!"
"So all these people with hijab never get married?!"
"Okay! What if I get married and my husband doesn't like it? And wants me to remove it?"
"What if your husband wants you to go out with him on a bank robbery?!"
"That's irrelevant, bank robbery is a crime."
"Disobeying your Creator is not a crime?"
"But then who would hire me?"
"A company that respects people for who they are."
"Not after 9-11"
"Yes. After 9-11. Don't you know about Hanan who just got into med school? And the other one, what was her name, the girl who always wore a white hijab…ummm…"
"Yasmeen?"
"Yes. Yasmeen. She just finished her MBA and is now interning for GE."
"Why do you reduce religion to a piece of cloth anyway?"
"Why do you reduce womanhood to high heals and lipstick colors?"
"You didn't answer my question."
"In fact, I did. Hijab is not just a piece of cloth. It is obeying God in a difficult environment. It is courage, faith in action, and true womanhood. But your short sleeves, tight pants…"
"That's called `fashion`, you live in a cave orsomething? First of all, hijab was founded by men who wanted to control women."
"Really? I did not know men could control women by hijab."
"Yes. That's what it is."
"What about the women who fight their husbands to wear hijab? And women in France who are forced to remove their hijab by men? What do you say about that?"
"Well, that's different."
"What difference? The woman who asked you to wear hijab…she was a woman, right?"
"Right, but…"
"But fashions that are designed and promoted by male-dominated corporations, set you free? Men have no control on exposing women and using them as a commodity?! Give me a break!"
"Wait, let me finish, I was saying…"
"Saying what? You think that men control women by hijab?"
"Yes."
"Specifically how?"
"By telling women how and what to wear, dummy!"
"Doesn't TV, magazines and movies tell you what to wear, and how to be `attractive'?"
"Of course, it's fashion."
"Isn't that control? Pressuring you to wear what they want you to wear?"
[Silence]
"Not just controlling you, but also controlling the market."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you are told to look skinny and anorexic like that woman on the cover of the magazine, by men who design those magazines and sell those products."
"I don't get it. What does hijab have to do with products."
"It has everything to do with that. Don't you see? Hijab is a threat to consumerism, women who spend billions of dollars to look skinny and live by standards of fashion designed by men…and then here is Islam, saying trash all that nonsense and focus on your soul, not on your looks, and do not worry what men think of your looks."
"Like I don't have to buy hijab? Isn't hijab a product?"
"Yes, it is. It is a product that sets you free from male-dominated consumerism."
"Stop lecturing me! I WILL NOT WEAR HIJAB! It is awkward, outdated, and totally not suitable for this society ... Moreover, I am only 20 and too young to wear hijab!"
"Fine. Say that to your Lord, when you face Him on Judgment Day."
"Fine."
"Fine."
[Silence]
"Shut up and I don't want to hear more about hijab niqab schmijab Punjab!"
[Silence]
She stared at the mirror, tired of arguing with herself all this time.
Successful enough, she managed to shut the voices in her head, with her own opinions triumphant in victory on the matter, and a final modern decision accepted by the society - but rejected by the Faith:
"Yes!" - to curls on the hair - "No!" - to hijab!

"And he (/she) is indeed a failure who corrupts it [the soul]!"[Holy Quran 91:10]
Subhana'Allah!!!

"Nay! You prefer the life of this world; While the hereafter is better and more lasting."[Holy Quran: 87:16-17]

"You are the best community (Ummah) raised up for (the benefit of) humanity; enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong and believing in Allah."[Holy Quran: 3:110]

x x x
For some it takes time to change. But it's better to seek than ignore. For those who are ignorant, He shall lock their hearts and not know the truth and the sweetness gained later.

Chemicals of thy heart

A dreamer of Science
A hope long past
An experience once gained
Shred with regret and pain

The love of biology
The nature of human body
Wonders of God’s bounty
Beauty of the Almighty

When life stumbles and fails
Shunning the worries to no avail
Questions linger and the mind sways
Seeking paths and pacing trails

The time has come
When the lead’s been done
A different field where the green grass yield
A different show where the seeds will grow

The new book’s been published
With new chapters without Science
But stories of values
And the pages of life

For what thyself feels good
Might not be well at all
It’s all a bless in disguise
Of two common grounds
With two distinct roles

Still feeling blessed
With the showers of love
As the spirit of knowledge
Binds within the soul

It doesn’t end here
With might it shall flow
With courage it shall heave
With prayers it shall glow

Penned: April 23, 22:25 hours

* De unforgettable April *

The day when my digicam was still at the service centre.

Since it is a week before the end of April. A sneak peek to one of the unforgettable moments in the month of April.

It was D-day. Awaited much with enthusiasm. Meeting the ol' mates full of healthy crap (y is it healthy? Cos, it is OUR trademark). It turned out well after all although some couldn't make it at the last minute, leaving only the 6 of us. It was a surprise affair for 3 of the April babies and the lucky one April baby boosted the energy to make our day a fruitful one. So it was on, then cancelled and on again. Thanks to y for driving us all the way to Far East.

Once seated; normal updates on stuffs, hot issues and serious discussions. The hotness of the issues were tantamount to the hotness of the food that some of us burnt their tongues, huhuh . Then, our common idionsyncrasies and exuding personal traits on interesting talks, always of avail to us.This is the part that outsiders usually finds us weird, but we're us after all. This outing has made me happy in terms of us, being in different fields, manage to link up cases with opinions and relate back to what we have learnt in our own area. And I am proud of them *nods* showing how we have bloomed and grown despite keanak-anakan yang masih terserlah bila bersua

I pray that we'll be able to hook up again and treasure every moment once more! Credits to Nul, our clan's official camera girl

Starts now!

Do you know that my IIUM exams will commence in a week's time? To add, one of the examination dates falls on the ohh-first-time-saya-vote day. Well, lucky me I have no duty during the mari-undi day. And this particular pic was taken after one of our lectures last two weeks. Not wasted, but enriching because me and Didi our sympathetic-manja persuasion managed to influence Humaira to stay with us instead of mugging alone! Sorry, Humaira... *evil grins*

At work, oral exam is starting next week for my students. Drilling them with the new format of questions. Education. It keeps on changing. Just when you are trying to blend in with the new syllabus, a new one comes in, in 2008. Apart from that, you have to keep yourself updated and understand the local trends and hype of your surroundings.

My P5s had their 3-day outdoor survivor camp last week. It was held at MOE's Changi Club Adventure Centre (is the name right?) specially catered for schools having outdoor camps. It's a new place. MT teachers had to fetch on the first and last day, with first aid boxes. Went there on the 2nd night for camp fire. But, the weather has been raining all the while, so we had the camp fire with presentations by the tribes at the canteen area (the students' grps are called tribes) as well as us who got sabo-ed by the p5 form teachers to do cheers (the teachers' presentation part). As for me, pulled by a colleague to join in the cheer... Back in school, some of my students lost their voice especially the boys (too much shouting Ooooooi, these kids). I guess I am already immune to projecting my voice that losing it is a very rare case. And drinking lots of water really really helps. Now everywhere I go, I won't forget my red Nalgene bottle.

Pinning up pictures would be a choice for this event, here. But due to my digicam under servicing, regrettedly no pictures are available on the camp. Just collected it yesterday and it was FOC with new lenses now. Wee!

With the fixed digicam at hand, you will now be able to view some of the things that happened this week...
Today, had a storytelling telling comp called the 'Pertandingan Tok Selampit'. Just an info, tok selampit is a person who tells stories to the kids during the olden days. It is also known as Sastera Rakyat. Out of 300+ schools who participated, only 30 schools were selected for the final round. Only 3 schools were selected with 2 finalists. The rest with only one representative. So, my school was one of the lucky 3 schools to get selected with 2 participants. One, from my class. Although they only got through as the top 20 in the end, I am proud of them because they are still winners. And I thank one of my colleagues, with only her alone, managed all this. I decided to follow and help because of my student and the fact that it's a toll on my cikgu who had to do this alone. It was also a time to meet with my batch and reminiscing the memories of performing Wisata Sastera @ the Woodlands Regional Library Audi. I miss school. I miss all those.

To top it all, this was the surprise dinner I planned for my parent's 25th anniversary. No outside food allowed. Only my cooking for makan malam. Although tired after work, I'm surprised I still had the energy to cook for them. Well, all for the name of love!

The time has come

K.I

I forgot all about K.I! Well, I was all excited to go for it last few days because of the topic this time round apart from the factor that it's in the east and the night of a public holiday. How could I ever miss it?

Well, for sure I totally don't remember at all. But was out to spend time with emak. So, it's not so bad after all, no? And I am doing something special for my walidain tomorrow morning for breakfast. Yes, last 2 days was their 25th Nikah Anniversary! But the big hooray for the special day will be spent during the June holidays *can't wait!*

Some things to ponder on work's side. Got feedbacks. Ain't talking about it. But I will take each step as a challenge to prove my worth. Well, I know I am no more a beginning teacher. So expectations will be a step higher. At least one thing for sure, I am not a NATO to one of the sharing sessions and I am very very glad that my P5s are using it. Infact, the internet will be one mode of teaching to them. Nope, not surfing, but assignments as well. So, good luck, me!
I know I got a lot to learn as I am still new, but I need a healthy environment to work in as well. Not an environment full of gossips, okay? And I need the light to help me follow the right path.

And I gotta buck up on my time management. It's always been that since I was small. Maybe it's just too much this time round. I really am struggling until I don't realise that the side effects are pretty bad. And thanks katak that you understand. Cos some individuals really don't. I'm quite a slacker actually... I remembered back in NIE when we were to guess our friend's personality. The second majority votes about me were categorised under judgemental (no, not judging people) but being organised in planning and stuffs. I am soo not an organised person okay? When things pile up, my clumsiness and forgetfulness increases. And things scatter here and there, huhuh.

As an end note, I'd love to dedicate this impromptu poem to my parents...

Dua jiwa berpadu menjadi satu
Nikmat Allahul Wahidu
Membina mahligai syurgawi
Meniti cabaran duniawi

Suka duka silih berganti
Harungi badai, onak dan duri
Kasih sayang tersemat di hati
Berjuang terus agar cinta tak mati

Syukurku padamu ya Illahi
Bahagia mereka di syurga abadi
Mengajarku erti kasih yang suci
Semangat didikan tidak pernah luput
Walau nasihat kekadang tak ku turut
Yang bakal berpisah hanyalah maut

Du'aku...
Ya Allah
Engkau telah mengurniakan walidain sa'adah
Kebahagiaan dan ketenangan di sebalik kesukaran
Sejahterakanlah hidup mereka hingga ke Jannah
Kerana pantang menyerah kalah
Kerana merekalah hanya aku sahaja juara fil usrah...

x x x

Happy bloggin my P5s! *huhuh*

Ombak yang resah

Terasuk kepekatan malam
Di hati yang mengata
Di mulut yang membisu
Di wajah yang membeku


Menggamit ilusi kau dan aku
Seribu bicara pun
Andai hati mengecam diri
Masih sukar untuk mengerti

Apakah akan terpancar nur
Mereda sempitnya ruang kabur
Yang mengharap jalan terus
Tanpa tersedu aku terjerumus
Dalam cinta yang ku harap mulus

x x x

Andai mulut dapat bicara
Hanya hati bicara, tapi mulut terkatup bisu

Getta in de loop!

Assalamu'alaikum world...

International Friendship Day ended last week with colleague donning the foreign costumes. Exquisite ones like the Spanish kain kembang-kembang', kimono, jubah, hanbok (Korean), Moroccan traditional costume and lots more. There was a photo-taking booth for students or staffs to snap a picture of 2 of the traditional costumes. (You know the ones where you put in you head and pose). Activities like flower-making were carried out. Best ones were showcased at the human-made garden with frendship messages. Sports Day were also at the hype @ Tampines Stadium and the staff and family games that me and a colleague planned for went well alhamdulillah. Only I wished the prizes were much better. And some of my ex-students as well as my current ones managed to clinch good ranks in the competition.

With the end of the past week I am still in the midst of 'Kindness in Blossoms' to commemorate the Singapore Kindness Week. Lots of activities were carried out including story-tellings, showcased poems and lots more. But one significant thing that intrigued me yesterday was the trees beside the school during flag-lowering. Flowers bloom in pinks and whites! Subhanallaah. The beauty of Allah's creations. It sooooo reminded me of the trees during summer... like the ones I watch in Japan or Korean movies, huhuh.

So, I don't have pictures to show you at the moment. It was such a colourful event though. Partially too, my digicam is starting mood swings for the first time, like not wanting to operate in 'camera' mode. 'View' mode is okay so far. Feel like I'm losing a lot of the interesting catch and snaps!

My exams should be next week, but due to the extend and make-up lectures, it'll somehow coincide with my students' exams too. Yey~ both ce'goo and budak-budak take exams together-gether. Quite a bulk to study due to the time constrains. By the way, some of you asked the modules that I'm currenly taking in Sem 1... here it is:

1. Revelation as Source of Knowledge
2. The Islamic Worldview
3. Fiqh al-Sirah
4. Introduction to Islamic History and Civilization

In addition, I have one more assignment to finish!

Let's take a breather and move on!

Separuh sedar ke...

Apa khabar alam maya?

Sejak kebelakangan ni, saya memang bukan diri saya yang selalu. Sama ada saya dalam keadaan separuh sedar (subconsciouss), saya pun kurang pasti. Jangan tanya kenapa. Tak tahu pulak akarnya. Amanah-amanah semakin menggunung tinggi. Ada juga perkara-perkara yang kurang penting yang saya letak di belakang dan maju ke hadapan. Tapi nampaknya, kesan sampingan dia menjadi-jadi hingga macam-macam insiden yang berlaku pada diri yang buktikan saya bukan dalam keadaan biasa. Agak lain macam atau ganjil. Dan saya amat minta maaf kepada mereka yang sms tidak saya balas, mahupun email yang tadi saya tengok dah 115 angkanya. It is sooo not me.

Contoh? Dalam perjalanan ke SC minggu lalu, singgah Masjid Sultan untuk Maghrib. Tapi, saya ibarat pelancong yang mencari-cari arah – berhenti, menoleh, tidak dapat apa yang dicari. Sedangkan, jalan ke sana sudah menjadi kebiasaan. Astaghfirullah. Adalah lain-lain insiden yang segelintir sahaja tahu dan lihat dengan mata mereka kelakuan ganjil saya ni.

Hal lagi satu, adakah lulusan dip ni teruk sangat? Saya fikir tidak. Hanya sebab semakin ramai yang ajar BM ni hanya ada dip sahaja, seolah macam ada isu. Ada jugak sentuh tentang golongan minoriti tetapi peratus tertinggi dalam gejala sosial. Sebab pendidikan moral penting untuk didik budak-budak ni dari rebung lagi. You get the drift and the link of this two?

Cuma saya prihatin. Yang ada lulusan pakai topi pun tak dapat pilih nak ajar peringkat menengah atau rendah. Yang ajar rendah hanya yang ada dip. Bab tu lah ada teman-teman yang tak nak sambung jadi lulusan pakai topi sebab 99% ajar menengah. Satu hambatan.. bagi saya… Yang nasib je dapat rendah. Yang hanya lulus pakai dress tanpa topi pulak kena pertingkatkan diri.. tu memang saya tak sangkal.

Cuma ada betulnya kata dia, bila kita jadi guru, kita jadi 24 jam guru. Di luar pun orang lain pandang. Jadi, di luar dan di dalam mesti dijaga. Kita dalam bidang pendidikan. Lebihan lagi kalau kita orang Islam.

Teringat pulak kata lecturer UIA saya minggu lalu...
”Ones who enter Jannah are the Mu’mins.. not the Muslims”

Darahku berderau sekejap mendengar kenyataan dia.

Let us ponder on this…

X X X

I need the motivation to go on.
As another amanah is being put on shoulder
By others' faith on me
To realise my faith.. to Allah