Amazed by muslim women's dress ---

 

Although I did not like wearing the Burka even few weeks back, I have now developed a liking and I have started wearing it, as a result of some experience.

 

Since the time I became a Muslima, the reactions of people around me has been varied and complex.

 

All the Muslims I have come across has welcomed me whole-heartedly into the family of Islam and has given me a great feeling of pride as a Muslim and a feeling of belongingness.

 

Most Hindus (non-relatives) have said they respect my decision of free choice to marry a Muslim and take to Islam.

 

Most relatives (Hindus) have abandoned me and do not speak to me.

 

The most happy moment was when my parents told me that, although they are not happy and would have preferred me married to a Hindu, they have still accepted me as their own Muslim daughter. truly thanks to Allah.

 

I have also heard horrible comments, which moved me to tears or outright angry and fuming.

 

A Hindu woman friend of mine put her hand on my bulging stomach and said as a Muslim, this will be my only job to produce a dozen children and I will lose my identity. She said God knows how many of those would become extremists....Apalling comment.

 

A Christian guy told me that I should have become a Christian and then should have married my husband as Muslims can marry Christian girls. Then there would not have been any need for me becoming a Muslim and I would have been a Christian ?? - absolutely cunning.

 

When I recently went to a shop along with my mother-in-law, I overheard a horrible and racist comment from the shopkeeper telling his worker that , "Look at this beautiful Brahmin Pundit Girl (priestly class in Hindus caste hierarchy), widening her legs below beef-eating butcher Muslims, for sex,  who made her pregnant and she is carrying the evil in her stomach. She will now produce a long line of Muslim boys and girls . I will make her run when she comes ".

 

It made me wonder how come some people can be so heartless that they do not even recognize legitimate marriage, due to narrow-mindedness. The remark made me cry and very very angry and I told my mother-in-law, who advised me to ignore and we came home quietly, as if I never heard anything. The remark made me absolutely angry and I was cursing my helplessness and I told my husband about the comment and he told me, " I told you to wear the Burka always. Now wear it and see the difference".

 

After few days, when I went out, I wore my sister-in-law's burka (as I dont have one) , although it was hot and making me sweaty and I could see the difference in attitude of people. I could see the respect they gave and I learnt the merit of wearing the Burka in mixed societies.

 

Fortunately, as a coincidence, one of my husband's friends brought 3 beautiful burka and a copy of the Holy Koran from Mecca, during his recent Umra trip and gave it to me, as Eid Gift.

 

Now I have decided to wear Burka while going out, as I feel it is Allah's message to me to wear Burka . I felt it provides safety.

 

Allah Hafiz

Divya Mohammed Iyer