Wednesday 17 February 2010

Muslim Women in London


When, I first came to London I was astonished and surprised by the enormous Muslim population. It is a delicate subject for Americans because so many Iraqi's and Muslims hate Americans. Well, many people all over the world hate Americans,thanks to Bush. And, I am so relieved we have Obama in office.But, living in a Bayswater(5 Minutes to Notting Hill),a big Arabic community, I want to be the first to bridge the gap of peace. Where I frequent, the internet cafes,hoteliers, restaurants, cleaners,store owners all are owned by Iraqis. I have never been in contact with so many Iraqis and Arabs in my life.I just smile and tell them I am American, and little by little, they know who I am, and I have become friends with many of them. They are very kind and warm hearted people, and they always are very nice to me. Once in a while,the Iraqi owner of the Internet Cafe I frequent says some subtle snide comment about Americans, just enough to sting slightly.I take it with a grain of salt and just think whatever. Bush made a mess out of Iraq and maybe he doesn't like Americans because of that.I am not sure. But, I can't blame him. But,what I am sure of is that I want to debunk any kind of ideas people have about Americans.That we are all arrogant, ignorant, pushy,loud,and stupid.So, everywhere I go I try to act as an Ambassador and try to be on my best behavior.Well, I am not a saint, but I do try to remember how I behave is a Cause and it will have it's effects.



I have been fascinated by Arabic culture for a long time. I think it started with my Belly Dance Classes that I took at Berkely and the beautiful exotic Arabic music my Teacher Nana used to bring to class. I want to know much about the Arabic culture as possible.I am learning a bit of Arabic everywhere I go. After all, Spanish is about 60% Arabic. All the words beginning with al in Spanish are Arabic derived. After all,The Moors were in Spain for 700 years and with them left their legacy of culture,architecture and language. If your Spanish, chances are you probably have Arabic blood and likely to be Jewish as well, since many Jews stayed during the Inquisition.



I often find the women dressed in full hijab amazing, how do that do it. It's written in the Koran, that women are supposed to cover their head, because they don't want to tempt men. I don't understand how women do it, in full hijab, in the hottest of summers in Saudi Arabia. Speaking of Saudi Arabia, I was befriended a woman from Saudi. She was the most interesting and intelligent woman I met. She was a French translater in Saudi Arabia and originally of Lebanese descent. She told me,"Sabrina, go to Lebanon, go to Palestine, go to Egypt, go to Hell, but dont' go to Saudi Arabia." Apparently,she told me that the women are still treated very badly.It doesn't come to much surprise to me.I have always heard that,but hearing it firsthand from the horses mouth had more resonance to me. According to her,if you want to get a divorce from your husband Saudi Laws make it very difficult. She said,"Your husband could be a firstrate abusive jerk, and STILL may have a very hard time divorcing him.



Will the Laws in the 21 century in Islam ever favor women?
Are Islamic Women content with these laws? Some, I spoke to said they were.
Some said they get better treatment and more respect in Saudi Arabia than they would in London. I spoke to a few Islamic women and they ALL concurred that the Koran considers women very precious, which is why they need to cover themselves with the full hijab.In Saudi Arabia, they are not allowed to drive. The men have to drive them everywhere. I heard from one man that in Saudi Arabia the population of women is much higher than of the men, and that if the women were given power that eventually they would end up taking over the country.Anyway, I am not an authority, and I am just going by hearsay. I would not be able to tell you my real thoughts on Saudi culture,until I visited Saudi Arabia myself and learnt about the culture firsthand.




A Market on Edware Road




A Family Man shopping for food on Edware Road





A Muslim woman walking through a thick crowd by medieval London Bridge Horror museum





For some reason, I am not supposed to be taking any photos of Muslim women. So, all of these had to be taken very quickly. If your Muslim, and reading this, please don't be offended, this blog is meant to act as a breach of peace and to build understanding between cultures. And, hopefully trust and friendship.



This is my Gorgeous Goddess Dance Teacher Nana Candelaria




More Tales and Adventures in Sabrina's London Diaries

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I always enjoy the next instalment from Sabrina. Her enthusiasm for life and what she is writing about never falters. She is so positive. I feel like I am there with her on her travels.

Amira said...

Hi, Interesting read.
I was wondering what do you mean by this "Will the Laws in the 21 century in Islam ever favor women?"
In my opinion Islam gave women more rights over 1400 years ago like the right to vote, be heard, be independent, inherit etc then women in the west did. I mean generally women could not vote until the Women's suffrage but Islam said that it's a god given right and we are not inferior to men. As for KSA many of the laws in KSA are culturally based not Islamic based like the issue of driving. Women ARE allowed to drive according to Islam.

Amira said...

Hi Sabrina me again *smiles*
I wanted to tell you something about this comment "It's written in the Koran, that women are supposed to cover their head, because they don't want to tempt men."
Thats actually not the main reason. Men and women are supposed to cover specific body parts when out in public. The primary reason we cover our selves in public is because we believe god has told us to in the Quran. "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to..."[24:31](http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran/) It's similar to the concept in the bible where women are told to cover their hair or cut it off(Pauls version)

Unknown said...

Hello Amira,
Thank you for your comments. I don't agree with the Bible that women should cover their hair either.Christianity is an old religion and does not fit into todays modern world. If Islam gave women so many rights then why are so many Islamic women still suffering? If I got to youtube, I can find a myriad of videos of many atrocities committed towards Islamic women living in Islamic countries. For example, Afganistan, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. I met a Saudi Woman in London and she told me never ever to go to Saudi Arabia, because the treatment of women there is terrible. I respect your feelings, but as an outsider I can't but feel the way that many Islamic countries treat women is backwards and philistine.

I like the Arabic culture,and as a person of Spanish blood,I will be the first to admit we have much to owe to the Arab world. However, the Koran has been loosely interpreted much to the suffering of women.

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