I&i recently trod through North Africa and encountered so many really wonderful Muslim women who seemed genuinely proud of their lives and achievements, and happy with their family relations. i wondered why they (as a group) are depicted in such a negative light in Western reporting which always seems to cast them as oppressed, abused, backwards, etc.
In searching for a view of life as a Muslim woman which was more consistent with what i observed, I came across a book entitled “From my Sisters’ Lips” by Na’ima Roberts who is the daughter of a black S. African mother of Zulu descent and a white S. African father of Scottish descent. Upon reading her positive reflections on her life and those of her Muslim sisters, often in the face of anti-Islamic Western bigotry, I felt a certain spiritual connection as a RastafarI to her and to Muslim women in general. I, and I fellow RastafarI, know what it is like to be misjudged, looked down upon, and mocked because of our religion, our outward appearances, our customs, the color of our skin, and/or our use of ganja. Some of Na’ima’s reflections follow:
“Covered from head to toe with only her eyes visible, the sight of a Muslim woman on a western city street rarely fails to provoke a strong reaction. Feelings of shock, horror, repulsion, pity or even fear are not uncommon. But have you ever wondered who it is behind the veil and what makes her tick? Ever wondered what her life is really like and whether her dreams, hopes and aspirations differ from yours?”
“This is the story of how we came to accept Islam.
These stories are only slices of personal history.
Part of us wants to keep them that way, to keep them private, to protect them.
But another part of us, the stronger part, wants to share this history with you, to take you on this journey too.
To show that Islam speaks to the hearts of people from a thousand diverse backgrounds, in a thousand different ways.
To show how Islam enriches the lives of millions of people, every day, in every way.
To share the heartache and joy of leaving what you know for what you can only imagine.
To show that we have chosen to be and are proud to be Muslim women.
To show that we are striving to hold on to our Islam with all our strength and
that we will hold on, even when it burns like hot coal.
To show that we are of you, that our roots spring from where yours do.
It is only our fruit and flowers that differ, for we are nourished by a different source.”
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I&i have been ridiculed and mocked during the course of my life (and even on this website) for my knowledge of the Truth of RastafarI and my commitment to following the Teachings of His Majesty. i’ve grown in recent times to feel a special kind of RESPECT for Muslim women who continue to hold firm to their faith and its Teachings in the face of similar ignorance-based ridicule and mocking.
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