A Muslim in Lausanne

Its been a while... and although we settled on trying to fill in once a week blog-wise, I always knew that it would only happen when my head allowed it. I need the words to flow from my fingers- I can't fake it with writing. It just doesn't happen. So apologies to my (rather shy, seemingly non-existent) fans on that front :P 

So far we've been busy getting our PDE sessions sorted out. It can be emotionally taxing having to expose oneself and talk about issues just to get a feeler of how a potential counselor would be like. And still not being able to decide. My knack for being a champion at indecisiveness is obviously an added handicap.

Although something miraculous has happened in the past few weeks. The Egyptian Revolution. I cannot stress enough on how lucky I feel that I am part of a generation where we envisioned a revolution through the Internet- Facebook to be precise. No, no tanks, no atomic bombs, no war sirens- just plain power of a social networking website. How did I live without the internet for 15 years of my life, I have no clue! 

Personally, I believe that the Egyptians should send Jessica Albright a stack of flowers and a huge thank you note- If it hadn't been for her dumping Mister Zuckerberg, godknowswhat it would have taken for him to muster the kind of madness mixed with anger and the right amount of vengeance to "come up" with Facebook. 

Unfortunately of course, as for the dream we witnessed come to life in Tunisia and Egypt, the nightmare version can currently be seen taking place in Libya (and Iran and Oman).

Of course, times like these further expose the magnitude to which the UN is crippled; the magnitude of US hypocrisy. But my prayers go out to all those fighting against these tyrannical regimes. I was particularly touched by a photographic exhibit that showed a group of Egyptian Muslims praying during a protest.There was this human wall erected by the Egyptian Christians around them to prevent them from being harmed by Mubarak's army while they were immersed in prayer. 

 

It is incredible what this power can do- when this need for reforms, for justice, for equality and the will to live decent lives rises in a people collectively.

My only hope is that they continue in this fervour and not stand like clueless zombies once they've toppled these atrocious governments. Hopefully, once Pakistan is done being distracted by the World cup (Cricket), the youth will make as inspirational a stand against the dynastic politics and military dictatorship that has plagued the nation ever since it came into existence. 

Moving onto more IMD based things, it snowed the other day quite unexpectedly. So beautiful! And I was to deliver a talk on being a Muslim as part of our Thursday get together ritual, called the Tea & Talk. 

Only upon arriving in Switzerland and having recently undergone the transition of becoming a committed Hijaabi (so far, so good) have I realized how I took my life in the UAE & KSA & Pakistan for granted. For those who don't know Hijaabi = Headscarf.

It's not that I am outrightly unwelcomed here- but the bias exists. You can clearly see the impact of Islamophobia and sometimes are even disappointed how educated and apparently "tolerant" people are in fact xenophobic. The lack of minarets on the Mosques while the Church towers stand proud; the scarce availability & meager variety of Halaal food and difficulty of taking Fridays off for worship; the need to gain people's trust but hurling knee slappers like "my middle name is not Miss Kaboom"; the need to make a conscious effort to let the world know that I am a normal human being, that Faisal WISHES he had it in him to force me into wearing a Hijaab- it was entirely MY decision; that I too worry about looking fat, enjoy shopping & sports & travelling and am just about every bit obsessive compulsive about various things in life like every other woman is; that I am every bit independent and liberated as they are.

It is undoubtedly a struggle being a practicing Muslim in this part of the world. Even the local Muslim community as a whole seems rather cold and reserved- almost scared- trying their best to keep under the radar, maintaining a low profile. Unfortunately, its not as accommodating as I hoped it would be. Even at the IMD Restaurant, Halaal food graces the place with its delicious presence only once a week; but that works out just fine since the mouth-watering desserts (sans alcohol and gelatin- YAY!!) tend to make themselves quite at home on one's hips bringing about an unflattering increase in one's physical dimensions and therefore, we can do without the comfort of having both; the desserts AND full meals. So no complains there from my end at least! 

And then there's the prayer bit- considering how the mosques around the place are only handful in number, it can be quite a daunting task looking for a place to pray when time's running out and you're miles away from home and walking into the dressing room of a Mall is an unlikely option- and that's when you turn to your last resort- pull out the prayer mat and go public!

But then you meet people who are genuinely interested in knowing what it is to be a Muslim; who want to know why I have my hair all wrapped up and why I don't enjoy the many "benefits" of alcohol; who want to help me be a Muslim just because there is such a thing as "nice people and good hearts". It's refreshing to conduct such Q&A sessions with people who are genuinely curious- pondering over the answers to some questions have helped me delve deeper into my faith as a Muslim. 

Note: For those who would still like to know more, I am no expert, but I would be more than happy to clear your doubts. So feel free to talk to me about Islam. 

And in light of this, I have to share some amazing incidents with you that have given me the courage I needed and helped me carve a space of my own, be comfortable, gel with others, without having to lose my identity. How this helping hand extended by some of the members of the partner community has touched me so deeply, perhaps more so because I am not just any minority- I am a very obvious, resplendent and in-your-face minority! As my husband states, I might as well be carrying a Pirate flag or a bazooka considering the amount of attention this headscarf of mine garners. 

Sometimes its difficult to voice these concerns- not just because I don't want to be given that look, the one that says "WTH-You-from-Mars-or-something?" but also because I become overly conscious about looking like a friggin' spoil sport- about messing up a perfect day by bringing in these rigid needs and religious requirements that I have to adhere to! 

but it becomes easier...

When Diana knows that I cannot participate in a group exercise where we have to integrate on a physical level (even though extremely minimal like holding hands) with the opposite sex. It was only about a week into the program and for someone who had no clue about what it is to be a Muslim woman, Diana's insight left me rather numb with shock and deeply indebted, with truckloads of appreciation pouring out. 

When Iyerida goes around looking for Halaal joints to purchase meat that I too can enjoy, as she plays Chef!

When Magi signals to me the arrival of men at the IMD gym and I run for cover.

When Iye brings me water because the men have hogged the water dispenser and I'm too worked up to put on all my gear before I can make my way towards the dispenser.

When Shuvra jumps to my assistance (although I take her affinity with the Muslim community for granted sometimes) in helping me locate my directions for prayers (we look for South east out here in Switzerland)

When Marieke understands that I cannot put up my Hijaab-less pictures as other male onlookers pass by, and requests me to show them to her another time.

When I am being told that having this daily religious routine is inspirational, despite the differences in faith. 

When various partners (the list is endless) give me the room and comfort to pray; in their homes or even outside on the streets, keeping a watch on any onlookers who find the activity rather entertaining and often pull out their cameras to capture on photographic memory this outrageous sight of a woman kneeling in broad daylight! 

And for Marcella; Thank you God for Marcella! For so many reasons that one would need another blog just for that theme! 

One realizes that pure goodness of the heart extends far beyond religious preachings. So, thank you all for your open mindedness, tolerance and being so adaptable.

Assimilation is not just about being part of this homogeneous mix; of being mixed into one compound; No! 

It's about helping every individual be part of that mix without losing one's original identity. It's about letting everyone be who they are without compelling them to mould into something they are not, just to fit in. It's not just about adaptability; it's also about being receptive to the inherent differences that every culture, religion, upbringing, even individual brings with him/herself and accepting it for what it is. 

And yes, it does look like a long, arduous road ahead, but thanks to the open mindedness displayed by so many partners, it makes the journey easier with one less hurdle to tackle!