Page 14 CentralBeat / PowerfulWomenOfCentral
Fadia Ali : Beloved teacher in the Charlieville community
By Saeeda M Ali
May 2017
One of the most beautiful kinds of people in the world is a woman who is in control of , and totally contented with her life . One such woman is Fadia Ali of Charlieville , known to many as ‘ Miss Fadie ’ and the owner of the Islamic boutique , ‘ Just for You by Fadia ’.
At 64 years , she calls this time the best of her life . “ Age has made me more mature , sensitive , caring , but it hasn ’ t made me old . I ’ m always on the go ,” she says . “ I involve myself in organisations , go to the mosque all the time , take Islamic classes , and make myself available . And once I know someone ’ s sick or there ’ s a death in the community , I make sure to prepare some food and visit them . I also like to hop on a plane when I get an opportunity !”
‘ Miss Fadie ’ is a past teacher from Charlieville ASJA Primary School where she taught from 1972-1984 . These teaching years cemented her reputation , for grandparents , parents and children call her Miss Fadie and treat her with utmost respect .
“ I like to be among children . They ’ re so innocent and you can mould their minds . Teaching is the love of my life . I never believed in abusing a child . I believe in making each child feel important . I used to clip the nails , trim the dirty hair , make them share the books and give them chores to do – make them feel like they ’ re noticed .”
Although she is no longer an official teacher , her teaching days are not over . She still runs camps during the vacation and on odd days for non-English speaking foreigners in the Muslim community , and helps in the Arabic classes once she is available . “ I love children- I just love them !”
The drive for business runs in Miss Fadie ’ s family , as she was the manager of Money ’ s Worth Supermarket for a short while before deciding to open her boutique in 1992 to service the Muslim community ; it was the first of its kind in Central .
“ I bring in goods from Thailand , Vietnam , Egypt , Turkey , Malaysia , India , Pakistan , Canada and America and any part of the world I go – I just came back from South Africa , and Dubai . I always look out to see something gorgeous and unusual for my customers , and select my things instead of buying wholesale .
“ It ’ s been 25 years since it opened , and was the only Islamic boutique for a while . People used to line up and wait for my doors to open , and during Ramadan we used to break fast together . It was so hectic – but oh , it was beautiful . In my boutique a lot of Muslim women started to wear hijab for the first time . I wasn ’ t wearing hijab then and it ’ s when I made my first trip to Saudi in 1994 I started . My 3 kids would say to me , ‘ Mummy , you look beautiful in your hijab , keep it on .’ I used that line on so many customers . It ’ s better than any hairstyle ! We ’ re not oppressed when we wear hijab .”
Religion plays a major role in her life . She cites Saudi Arabia as her second home with 19 visits and 10 times for the holy pilgrimage . “ Whatever religion someone follows , all religion teaches good morals and values . We might have differences with the interpretation of God , but all religions run parallel to each other when it comes to teaching morals and values . Once I feel sad about something , then I pray , I cry out to my lord and read the Quran , I feel so relieved . People ask me , what makes you strong ? Strength and guidance and successes in
Faadia , right , and her three children at left .
life and material wealth , everything belongs to God . And if you can believe that , you won ’ t have a big ego , be ignorant , insult people , or commit crimes . Religion has kept me alive ,” she says . “ When I was going through some serious troubles in life , my sisters advised me to attend Islamic classes and seek knowledge , and that was the best advice . The only thing that could have helped me was to fill my mind with seeking religious knowledge and being among spiritual people . I focused on getting to know God .”
Although everyone experiences hardships , she has no regrets . “ Life is a journey and every day is a new beginning . For me when I wake up I don ’ t know what to expect , because whatever happens is the will of God . And if you can feel like that , it is so easy to accept whatever happens in your life . You must be contented and satisfied with what you have and know that you are trying your best . You cannot please everyone , but I have learned to understand that if someone doesn ’ t like me , I step back . I will never hold a grudge and spite someone ; I will always give them my best . I would not want to make anybody feel uncomfortable , and instead try to make them feel welcome and loved .”
It was certainly a wonderful opportunity to interview this outstanding lady , who , as she says , declines interviews now , preferring to leave the spotlight for the youth . She strongly believes in investing in the younger generation . “ Because as we get older we ’ re going to lose our strength and energy . And if we can make a bond with the younger generation , each generation will know who you are when you die . I want to sit together with them , eat and talk together , and form that bond that I want to form with the children . Because I want to know them , and I want them to know me before I go out into the sunset . Because we are getting older . And if along
Faadia at her 50 th high school reunion with classmates at the Holy Faith Convent in Couva .
Some of the fashions at Faadia ’ s boutique .
the way you have an opportunity to teach somebody something , you take it .”
“ I didn ’ t know what you specifically wanted to hear today ,” she laughs , “ so I brought a couple of things I ’ ve done before .” This included a large stack of newspaper and magazine clippings featuring her , book reviews , letters to the editor , poetry , and countless old speeches . In addition , Miss Fadie has been on IBN several times and has done numerous fashion shows for many places . As a gregarious person , she feels no fear speaking to large crowds and is always called upon in ceremonies to share words of wisdom – which she thanks God for . Having reached this point , she now wants to downsize her life and print her own book of poems , photography , and interpretation of the Quran with the messages that have helped her through tough times .
What are words of wisdom she would like to impart ? “ Whatever problems you ’ re going through in life , don ’ t make the wrong choices to find relief . Know who you ’ re taking advice from . You must find a way to come to terms with problems without turning to the negative things in life . Don ’ t let peer pressure decide who you should have as your friend . Don ’ t let your problems get the better of you . Talk to someone you trust – family , a spiritual leader , counselling . And put God in your life – that is the greatest medicine .”
“ Age has made me feel like life has become more peaceful . My children have grown ; my five grandchildren have good parents and good futures . I feel contented that now I ’ m living alone and don ’ t have the regular worries and responsibilities . I choose what I want to do , when I want to do it and go on a vacation where I want . That is the best aspect of my life , that I can extend my generosity to whomever I wish to , whenever I wish to and how much I give is entirely up to me . Whatever we give is with the intention of pleasing Allah and I don ’ t have to account to anyone with what I do with my time and money . I ’ m all about making others happy and making a difference in their lives . It is a wonderful feeling .”