Drum Magazine Issue 4 | Page 86

84

Drum: FAITH

“On a personal level Islamophobia undeniably affected my decision
to wear the scarf and proudly identify myself as a Muslim.”
difficult not to wonder whether, in Israel, it would
be possible to change words of the Torah because
they were considered by some to be inappropriate or
to lead to certain interpretations. Such comparisons
lead one to the unequivocal fact that, even at the
very basic levels, Islam is not considered equal to
other world religions. Threats such as ‘you are either
with us or against us’ were targeted at Islamic
countries (whilst Germany was against the war she
was not considered by the US of A to be against
America per se) further demonstrating that Islamic
countries continue to be treated as weaker and
indeed lesser partners in the global village.
On a personal level Islamophobia undeniably
affected my decision to wear the scarf and proudly
identify myself as a Muslim. I’m a Muslim, I’m
beautiful, but it’s well hidden! Since September the

Salat Ied, Indonesia © 2005 Hasimsyah Samosir

11th I have lost count of the number of times I have
been asked to defend my faith in Islam. How could a
woman such as myself, obviously educated, western,
comfortable in the company of men and willing to
have a ‘laugh’ believe in a faith that requires women
to cover themselves from head to toe, ties them to
the kitchen sink and prevents their education, work
and even their vote? (It doesn’t, but that’s another
article for another day!) The fact is none of these
stereotypes are true. Those who consider me a
victim of my own faith do not know what it is to
believe something to be true and to take pleasure in
its practice. Nor do they know Islam. And as for
those who wish to discriminate against me because
of the faith I have…there is little else that can make
me want to practice my faith more, than people I
have little respect for telling me I couldn’t, shouldn’t
or am misguided in doing so.