29 Mar 2024
Monday 26 May 2014 - 15:17
Story Code : 97645

Canadian convert believes West fools women by feminism

Canadian convert believes West fools women by feminism
TEHRAN, May 25 (MNA) In an exclusive interview with Mehr News, a new Islam convert has said that West fools women by feminism theories and women rights.
Following is the second part of the interview with Jennah Heydari, a revert lady from Canada. The first part was published earlier.

Jennah Heydari lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband, Nafe Heydari and her youngest son. She has two sons; the older son is already away in college. She is a book illustrator and is currently working on a childrens book that she wrote and has been illustrating about a little girl who wears hijab for the first time Dhohas first hijab.

She helps run an online support group called the Revert Muslims Association, currently organized and maintained by some very devoted Muslims. She started this group back in 2005 as a way to keep new Muslims connected, supported and networked with those, more knowledgeable.

Talking about the path se passed by to Islam Ms Heydari said her disease helped her search about Islam. She went on saying that she searched about different religions and became interested to have Quran.

One particular day, when I went to the local book store found an English paperback copy of the Quran. I was delighted to see it there, it was not like the Qurans I had seen pictures of, on the Internet, but it was all I could find and so I purchased it. Alhamdulillah at that moment I knew I was Muslim. Shortly after this point, I took my shahada. As a western citizen what does the western civilization lack which made you towards a new system like Islam? I think that question is answered, for me, by the concept of hijab. As a western girl, growing up in Montreal, Quebec, I was, of course, influenced by the media, by my peers. Although I was stubborn and so I was inclined to do things my own way. Wearing baggy clothes was something that appealed to me, even though not everyone appreciated my sense of style. It was all very ironic, as I began to read about hijab, I pondered the idea of feminism and womens rights.

As a woman in the west youre told that one way to freedom is to dress provocatively and to even be a little promiscuous. Its ok, everyone does it, (you think to yourself) its normal; its a way to show youre a strong woman, secure and in charge. Growing up, adults will say such things as You shouldnt hide what God gave you or Let the world see how pretty you are. These kinds of statements are a means to push you towards exposing yourself through decorative tight-fitting clothing. You learn that in fact, its shameful to hide your body. Our society wants us to find recognition in our appearance, we dont want to be the anomaly, we must fit in, dress and act like everyone else, we want acceptance. Looking back I was very brainwashed by this idea that society ruled and they were who I worshipped, I sought their approval. Even with my stubborn mentality I still wanted the world to see me like everyone else. Looking at women who covered-up, with abaya, I assumed they must be oppressed. Without exposing yourself through your clothing, how can you know if youll be accepted? I foolishly thought.

When I began to wear hijab, at first, it was difficult. I was in a very white, Christian town. There was no other Muslim woman or hijabi for miles and miles. I was letting the world know I was Muslim and I soon dealt with a lot of adversity. Having a stubborn personality fit well as I convinced myself that nobody was going to stop me from doing what I felt right. Wearing hijab was what was taking me closer to Allah(Swt) and even though I was going to face terrible name-calling and angry glares from people, I was not going to let it change the path I was on. As mentioned it was all very ironic because hijab, covering up, became my freedom. I no longer felt as though men looked at me as an item on a shelf, women no longer saw me as someone they had to compete with, to consider my choice in designer-wear. I finally felt comfortable.

I believe people now saw me for who I was, no longer basing their opinions of me by my appearance. Although, hijab can be off-putting once people get to know me, they look past my hijab. As the years went by and I became strong in my iman [faith], my hijab became a part of me, it was an extension of me. Allah(Swt) blesses us with incredible strength when we wear hijab. People cursed me in the streets but I kept on walking, my hijab became my shield. In a time when the dominance systems and media giants have waged attempts to move the world in the path to atheism, what would you propose as the reasons why some people find Islam favorable? Its an interesting question; in fact Atheism was a big part of my life, before finding Islam. As I mentioned I grew up in a non-religious home. My mother was a non-practicing Protestant and my father was Agnostic, maybe even Atheist at times. Religion and God was never brought up. I had two brothers, of whom proclaimed themselves Atheist in one form or another. Most of my friends had no religious connection.

I honestly believe, Atheist or not, that everyone is searching; were all on a quest for answers at some point in our life. Were eager to belong to a belief system, a way to try to figure it all out. Atheism is just another answer for someone. To me, its a cold and darkened journey to nothing. The path of an Atheist leads to uncomfortable answers, not because the answers are based in science, science helps us to understand facts; it is because many of their answers have no real substance. In Islam the answers we receive are received on many different levels, we have our faith, our emotions, that which is lacking for an Atheist man. I find it interesting that an Atheist will call himself open-minded. I realized after becoming Muslim, how close-minded I had been as an Agnostic. An open mind is found when you let your mind speaks but you also allow your heart to speak. An open-mind is when you discover your soul and when you step back and see life from an entirely different perspective. Islam can answer so many questions, but you must be committed to truly wanting the answers. Islam will give you the answers but only if youre truly seeking them out.

Making points to intellectual needs Ms Heydari mentioned that those who do come from an Atheist path, to Islam, recognize the immediate comfort thats found in the answers that Islam gives you. Its not only the comfort in discovering that death is not the end and that life continues in a different realm. Its that an Atheist who considers himself/herself an intellectual can quench that thirst through Islam, because the answers are always solid. Islam, differs from other religions, it truly is grounded in facts and in science and the answers found in the Quran, in hadith are driven with so much sense and without contradiction. The Quran lays out how we live our lives as Muslims and Allah(swt) gives us the ability to research and gain the knowledge to become a stronger Muslim. If something doesnt sound right, to me, I continue my research and I am always satisfied with the final answers. Islam can draw in the strongest Atheist because its so factual, so relevant and so riveted in science and in answers that can meet you on many different levels.

Allah(Swt) wishes us to seek knowledge, it is the path of worship that will only lead us to paradise. My husband has always said being a skeptic is an important part of being a Muslim. Atheists do not own the word skeptic. Allah (Swt) does not want us to be sheep; we are encouraged to think critically and logically. The more we know the stronger our faith. Doubt is not the enemy; it is part of the process to becoming a better Muslim. Every rewarding answer takes you closer to Him.

She also mentioned that Islamic propaganda is a constant battle in the west. Its not something thats going to stop any time soon. The battle to squash Islam is ever rising because Islam is a threat to the way people think, act and feel. The ignorant perpetuate the problem because thinking too hard about something is not easy for them. Its much easier to just go with the flow.
If society tells us to like something, we like it, if society tells us to hate something, we hate it. Ignorance is a dark and heavy door that is difficult to open. I believe the best method or approach towards such mentalities propagating against Islam is through actions rather than through words. Although you must learn when to walk away, sometimes the battle is not worth it, some doors will never open. I have found my best results are through a gentle dawah. If you set good examples, for the ignorant, you show kindness to all people, smile, be patient and extend yourself even when its not comfortable for you, people will ask who you are and what you believe. Its always so heart-warming when someone with closed eyes begins to finally open them.

At the end MS Jennah Heydari mentioned there is nothing greater than inspiration to her. When people discover Islam, they all do it very differently and some stories are difficult journeys and others are not so difficult. What they all share in common is that they are an awakening of a Muslim and thats a beautiful thing. I would recommend those curious about Islam, to read reversion stories and consider their own journeys, their own beliefs. The Revert Muslims Association, website, has quite a large collection of these stories. We must remember that we only have this one life, the lessons will come quickly and before we know it, we will be at the end, without the answers. Inshallah that wont happen.

By Mehr News Agency

 

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