Rilek1Corner

Tag: hijab

  • I Pray Secretly In Fear Of My Family

    I Pray Secretly In Fear Of My Family

    I am a Muslim revert from the Philippines. I was almost 17 when I reverted to Islam last year during the last day of Ramadan, alhamdullilah. Before I became a Muslim, I had faith issues. I stopped believing in Christianity due to many questions that popped up in my head that nobody could answer. I eventually gave up the idea of religion. I was almost at the edge of being an atheist until I found Islam, Alhamdullilah.

    My family is devout Christian. I can say that my father is really against Islam, so I really have to hide it from them or else something might happen. Eventually, my family (except for my father) confronted me if I became a Muslim because they caught me praying at some occasions while wearing the hijab. I told them that I became a Muslim. They were so upset and told me so many bad things. They threatened me that they will tell my father if I don’t leave Islam. I was very afraid of that time so I told them that I will stop practicing Islam, but it is only to avoid any danger inshaAllah. Alhamdullilah, after what had happened, Allah has helped me to get through it. I only pray secretly as much as I can so they wouldn’t find out that I’m still a Muslim.

    I’ve never been this happy and complete during my jahaliyyah (days of ignorance). Alhamdullilah Islam answered all of my questions. Knowing Allah is such a great honor to me and I couldn’t be more grateful to be one of His servants.

    I am planning to wear the hijab in my university, insha’Allah. I know that this won’t be easy for me as it is my first time to wear it in front of everyone. I will be removing it when I go home, so my family won’t know it. Please keep me in your dua’a (prayer) that I can do it for Allah’s sake.

    May Allah guide my family and the other non-Muslims as well to Islam, Ameen.

     

    Source: http://worldhijabday.com

  • Zulfikar Shariff: How Much Longer Do We Have To Wait For Resolution To Hijab Issue?

    Zulfikar Shariff: How Much Longer Do We Have To Wait For Resolution To Hijab Issue?

    Over the years, there have been various claims about why the PAP government ban the hijab.

    One common excuse is that it is only a matter of time. According to this claim the government is trying to expand the common space and will allow the hijab in due course.

    This excuse is amazing in how ridiculous it is.

    When I discussed the hijab ban with Allahyarham Ustadz Abu Bakar Hashim several years ago, he told me that it was time the issue was resolved.

    He demanded that we double the effort.

    No more quiet begging. We need to stand up and be clear that the government should stop discriminating our sisters.

    According to Ustadz Abu Bakar, the first time he heard of the problem was in 1972. He said it had been almost 30 years (then).

    It is now 43 years.

    How much longer will the government need to oppress our sisters?

    How much longer will they use the excuse of needing time?

    How much longer will we keep quiet while our sisters are abused?

    The hijab ban has nothing to do with expanding common space. If it was, the government would have been able to do it a long time ago.

    They had 43 years to do it.

    And yet, they keep discriminating our sisters.

    They keep forcing Muslim ladies to take off an article of clothing.

    They forced us to beg for their approval.

    It has been 43 years.

    And it will keep going 43 years more.

     

    Source: Zulfikar Shariff

  • Zulfikar Shariff: PAP Malay Muslim MPs Cannot Be Counted On To Fight For Malay/Muslim Issues

    Zulfikar Shariff: PAP Malay Muslim MPs Cannot Be Counted On To Fight For Malay/Muslim Issues

    We are constantly told to leave the hijab issue to the Malay MPs. We are told they are working on it behind close doors.

    We are told that if we raise the issue, it will force the government to dig in their heels and deny our Muslimah of their rights for even longer. We should keep quiet and appreciate their decisions.

    I remember a conversation I had with a Malay MP shortly before the 2001 elections.

    Yatiman Yusof was part of the Tampines GRC. By 2001, he had been in parliament for 17 years and was the Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Communications And The Arts.

    One night about a week before the election, I had a meeting with members of the Fateha group at Afghanistan Restaurant in Tampines. Yatiman happened to be at the same restaurant.

    As I made my way to order dinner, he asked me to sit with him for a chat.

    Our conversation understandably, turned to the hijab issue. According to Yatiman, he supported the ban on “tudung”.

    He argued that if Singapore was to allow tudung in school, we will not integrate anymore and society will disintegrate.

    When it was pointed out that other countries such as Malaysia allows tudung, he answered:

    “It is a mistake by the Malaysian government to allow tudung in schools. I am 55 now. If we allow tudung in school, in 25 years, by the time I am 80, we will start to kill each other.”

    A Malay MP prioritized government policies and support the oppression of our Muslimah.

    And yet…

    We are told to leave the hijab issue to the Malay MPs.

    We are told they are working on it behind close doors.

    We are told to support them and keep quiet.

    And we believe them.

     

    Source: Zulfikar Shariff

  • Syed Danial: Government And Opposition Malay Muslim MPs Should Make Clear Their Stance On Hijab

    Syed Danial: Government And Opposition Malay Muslim MPs Should Make Clear Their Stance On Hijab

    The Malay Muslim MPs should make their stance on the hijab issue clear. From both the PAP n WP.

    I must say the only opposition Malay Muslim MP was the only one with the moral courage to make his stance unequivocally clear during the LGBT issue during last year’s Ramadhan. May Allah azzawajal Bless him n Reward him profusely. From the ruling party we have the Minister in Charge of Muslim Affairs making the statement mosques shouldn’t take sides in an issue Allah azzawajal Himself has taken sides. Shocking, to say the least. It doesn’t help that the establishment ulema were silent in docility when this was played out in real time.

    Our current MPs should bear in mind we may be witnessing as we speak this notion that if we throw our hat hook line n sinker with official govt stand we may juz end up being considered a sellout and a political liability when elections draw near.

    They plan. And Allah azzawajal Plans. And Allah is the Best of planners.

    May Allah azzawajal Grant us leaders who would serve His Deen.

    Above all.

     

    Source: Syed Danial

  • Making Hijab Part Of Victoria Police Uniform

    Making Hijab Part Of Victoria Police Uniform

    Constable Maha Sukkar yesterday became the first Victoria Police officer to wear a traditional Muslim hijab as part of her uniform.

    The 30-year-old former graphic designer was supported by her parents, who flew in from her native Beirut for her graduation ceremony, and friends from the Muslim community.

    “At first we were worried by how people would respond but we really admired her courage and she has been an inspiration to us,” said her best friend, Aiesha Hussain, at the ceremony.

    The navy, lightweight hijab, specifically designed for Constable Sukkar, has Velcro to enable its release should she get caught in a physical scuffle.

    Constable Sukkar, of Dandenong, said it had been her dream to join Victoria Police since she arrived in Australia from Lebanon four years ago. She said she did not expect the traditional Muslim headpiece would attract any unwanted attention, but if it did she would handle it “just like any other police officer”.

    Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon said Victoria Police wanted to attract more women and more recruits from culturally diverse backgrounds that reflected the community.

    “I think this is Victoria Police showing that we are very welcoming of people from a whole range of backgrounds and nationalities who want to join us,” she said.

    At yesterday’s marching out ceremony at Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley, 46 graduates were sworn in.

    Police Minister Andre Haermeyer warned they were entering the force at a time when it faced intense criticism and scrutiny, and a mounting battle against organised crime.

     

    Source: www.theage.com.au