Editor’s note: This week, Mamamia received an email from a young woman named Zahra. Zahra wrote to tell us about the beautiful Facebook status her brother had recently written about his mother.
Zahra wrote: “I cried when I read it because he expresses what so many within the Muslim community would feel.”
This is the post from Zahra’s brother, Musthafa Haryadi. We’re honoured to share it today.
This is my mother; a person with extraordinary intelligence, and a wonderful heart.
She has:
– B.Math from a prestigious university in Indonesia
– Post graduate diploma in science from the University of Western Australia
– Master of Science (MSc) from the University of Western Australia
– PhD from Curtin University of Technology Australia, and
– graduate certificate in teaching from the University of Newcastle.
She excelled academically, never having to pay a cent for her courses, awarded numerous scholarships.
She finished her PhD 9 MONTHS early despite raising my younger sister at the same time.
She also has numerous published papers.
She was a tenured lecturer and excellent researcher during her time at the University of Newcastle. Now she resides in Adelaide, working at Flinders University as she decided that it was time for a change.
She is highly respected by her colleague and her students.
She is also a respected part of the Muslim and Indonesian community.
Every year, a portion of her earnings always goes back to her parents and family in Indonesia, along with donations to an orphanage. Every. Year.
Despite her achievements, she will always celebrate and put my achievements (and my brother and sisters) over her own, even if I have failed her over and over.
Unfortunately, some people only focus on the fact that she wears a hijab.
Unfortunately, the hijab (or any Islamic head dress) equates to ISIS terrorists.
Unfortunately, she is now a possible target for bigots simply because she stands out a little more because of her head dress.
Unfortunately, she is a possible target simply because she exercises her faith and CHOSE to wear the hijab.
All the bigots, and ignorant people will see only one thing, possible terrorist.
I am not the best example of a Muslim, but I do love and care about the Muslim community.
Vandalism and assaults have occurred in QLD, NSW, VIC, and WA (to my knowledge) against Muslim Australians simply because they are Muslims.
I fear for my mother, I fear for every Muslim that displays their pride of their faith through traditional wear, I fear for their children because they are too young to understand, but will still experience possible hatred due to ignorance.
I fear especially, despite these hatred-fueled events over the past week or so, our PM haven’t denounced the violence against Muslim Australians, despite calling for “Team Australia” and for all Aussies of different racial, religious, sexual orientation, to unify.
If anyone who reads this has a problem with the hijab or Muslims, please kindly block me, or remove me from your social event/life.
Because some people are just so hateful and ignorant, they will never see nor try to understand the human wearing the hijab.
And that genuinely upsets me.
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Top Comments
When I was in India I was pretty much constantly harassed - touched, stared at, made to feel uncomfortable... etc. I sought refuge under the veil of a headscarf, and a blanket of baggy clothing. It made me feel safe and anonymous. This is the original purpose of the hijab - a method of protection from people who didn't know how to treat other human beings with respect. Does this reason still exist in the world today? Well, yes - my experience happened only a few years ago. But not in Australia. I love our respect for each other. I love that I can sit on a train and not have my leg rubbed by a stranger. I like that I can wear shorts and not be groped on the bum. I love that I (generally) feel safe to move around in public as a lone female. I dislike that the hijab has, over time, become a 'rule' that must be adhered to if you want to be a 'good' muslim. It isn't the reason it was implemented, and the world has (largely) moved on. All religions need to learn to adapt to modern society. Sure, wear the veil if you want - that it was freedom truly is - but I would love to see all people questioning the restrictions of their faith and determining, as individuals, what teachings they can take from their religion to make them an honest, balanced and happy human being; whilst leaving the doctrine where it was designed to be - in the past.
Well said, Anita.
Ok .. But say you follow a faith by choice, you question restrictions and certain boundaries by choice, you choose to adopt some and one of those is to cover, based on your own choice. Then someone with their opinion, like yours, questions their choices. Where is your level of respect?
You misunderstand my statement. My point was that people need to educate themselves on the origins of their religion, and critically analyse its doctrine when applied to the modern world. I have an issue with blind faith, but not with faith in general. I don't question a persons choice, but I do question the lack of one. I personally have no strong feelings about people who choose to wear a hijab, a turban, a kippah or anything else. I choose to wear shorts and a tank top most days.... to me its the same thing.
Sorry Anita, but your right in seeing the adherence of religious practise or rituals due to blind faith. I agree that people should question their choices especially when they are raised to believe something or pressured from a spouse / friends etc. you have raised a very good point
"Because some people are just so hateful and ignorant, they will never see nor try to understand the human wearing the hijab"