Hi there mollytheresa - what a cute name!
1) I try to live Islam everyday throughout my life. All the decisions I make, I try to live according to Islamic practice and law. There are certain things I do everyday: Pray 5 times, wash before I pray and other things that I do according to Islamic practice. Smiling is considered a 'charity' and a good thing to do with other people (and we try to incorporate these small acts everyday; including removing harmful things from the road so no one will get hurt, helping someone with their luggage if they are travelling and so on). I try to dress according to modest Islamic dress code, greeting other people with the Islamic greeting which means 'Peace be with you', treating others with kindness. As you mayhave learned we follow the Quran and the Sunnah (tradition) of the Propher Muhammad (pbuh). He had Sunnah ways of eating and drinking (e.g. eat with the right hand, pray before we eat, good table manners). If I lived in a country where there were orphans or beggars, I might pass my hand over the head of the child or give money.
2) I live in a place where there are not many muslims, so support is there - but is hard to find. The local Imaam and his wife are very nice people and very open. We sometimes visit them. Those people that are new to Islam (and there are a good few here) are helped by the Imaam. Otherwise, they can go up north to another large city about 1 hour away and there are more support groups there.
3) Islam teaches us not to criticise or hurt people of other faiths. I act 'normally' with them, I speak to them ("Wow! She speaks English!"), have jokes with them, help them with assignments/work and just act like a regular person. I think its important we see the humanity in everyone. But if the topic comes up, I always explain the Islamic point of view, referring to distorted media perceptions they may have expereinced and just reiterating our point of view. If they have a different view, that's fine with me - I can't force ideas down their throats, I only give them the information I know.
4)Oh, this is tough!
I find a deep sense of belonging in the muslim community so it's hard to find something that is different about me. We have the same beliefs and practices. Where I live, I'd say I'm one of the first hijab clad ladies to be out at university (and there are not many of us) and seeking my own professional development. At our unit there are about 3 of us in hijab; one is studying pharmacy and the other girl is doing her masters degree. I'm studying Education. There’s also variation in the countries we originate from – so that’s another difference.
5) A feeling of connection to Almighty God, I feel ‘complete’ – I feel weird if I don’t pray or remember God in the day. I believe it gives me a realisation of how tiny we are compared to other things and so helps me keep my ego balanced. I feel like if I were to lose everything I had like family or a home, I would have the comfort of knowing I still have my faith. Also, clear guidelines allow me to know what I can do and how I can go about doing it in an appropriate way. Its also great to see Muslims from all over the world and knowing you have a connection with them and we always try to support one another. Belief in justice – humans have faults and so there is no absolute justice in this world and it gives me reassurance to know that God will deliver absolute justice in the next world, so all those who were trampled on and were not treated fairly will have lots to look forward to.
6) It’s a struggle when you know you have done something you shouldn’t have, like you might know gossipping about someone is not the right thing to do and your conscience kicks in. That’s all part of being human, we slip up every now and then, and its important just to learn from it. The hardest struggle is explaining your faith to those who have no faith, especially in secular societies. Because of my dress and I’m so noticeable because of this, people will naturally edge away from you thinking you are ‘weird’. Negative media attention has also had an adverse affect on the way I am seen and treated by others.
Its hard to keep up what I am doing in a society where there is a lot of Islamophobia happening, and to counteract this perception I have to be ‘extra’ vigilant, and ‘out there’ in terms of talking, joking, smiling at people and trying to ‘prove’ I am a normal person. Although the people where I live may not overtly show it, they probably do have a negative perception of my faith and that is the reason why I try my best to talk to and smile with everyone.
7) The culture where I live is actually very accepting and sincere. It definintely is a safe one to live in. You do get the odd person who will yell abuse, but that is very, very rare.
8) Where do I start! It depends on what you mean by outsiders. The misconception I would want to clear up with my Christian brothers and sisters would be very different to the misconceptions others may have. I’ll take a general standpoint on it. The biggest misconception: Islam is a terrorist religion that is practised by Arabs. Yep, that’s it. With women it may be: Islam regards its women as inferior and they have no rights at all, whilst their husbands control and beat them day and night.
9) Belief in One God for everyone. The practice of believing that there is one God, who has no partners, is eternal and created all humanity and everything on Earth.
10) (Can I just correct your question? You said, ‘Is Muslim a religion….’ It’s actually “Is Islam a religion….’)
I was born a Muslim, but wasn’t really into it till I reached 15 and started finding stuff out for myself.
Thanks molly, hope that helped.
Peace
