|
Islam is by far the most misunderstood religion in the world
today thanks to centuries of medieval-style propaganda successfully peddled
by bigots and Christian zealots. So I should not have been entirely
surprised by the almost hysterical reaction in the mainstream media to news
that I am considering becoming a Muslim. Some of the comments were *****y
and snide, other journalists asked me stupid questions showing a distinct
lack of research or understanding. One even accused me of suffering from
Stockholm Syndrome as a result of spending ten days in the hands of the
Taliban!
My spiritual journey, like that for many converts/reverts, was meant to be a
personal affair between myself and God. Sadly it has now become a very
public issue and so I have decided to share with Q-News readers my feelings
and thoughts on Islam to prevent any more misunderstandings or
misconceptions.
Yes, my journey did begin in the unlikely surrounds of an Afghan prison
where I was being held by the Taliban facing charges of entering their
country illegally disguised in the all-enveloping burqa. One day, during my
captivity, I was visited by a religious cleric who asked me what I thought
of Islam and if I would like to convert. I was terrified. For five days I
had managed to avoid the subject of religion in a country led by Islamic
extremists. If I gave the wrong response, I had convinced myself I would be
stoned to death. After careful thought I thanked the cleric for his generous
offer and said it was difficult for me to make such a life-changing decision
while I was in prison. However, I did make a promise that if I was released
I would study Islam on my return to London. My reward for such a reply was
being sent to a ghastly jail in Kabul where I was locked up with six
Christian fanatics who faced charges of trying to convert Muslims to their
faith. (After being bombarded with their bible readings, happy-clappy
Christian songs and prayers twice a day, I think we can discount the
accusations of Stockholm Syndrome).
Several days later I was released unharmed on humanitarian grounds on the
orders of Mullah Omar, the Taliban's one-eyed spiritual leader. My captors
had treated me with courtesy and respect and so, in turn, I kept my word and
set out to study their religion. It was supposed to be an academic study but
as I became more engrossed with each page I turned I became more impressed
with what I read. I turned to several eminent Islamic academics, including
Dr Zaki Badawi, for advice and instruction. I was even given several books
by the notorious Sheikh Abu Hamza AI-Masri whom I spoke to after sharing a
platform at an Oxford Union debate. This latter snippet was seized upon by
some sections of the media in such a ridiculous fashion that outsiders might
have thought I was going to open a madrassa for AI-Qaeda recruits from my
flat in Soho!
Thankfully the support and understanding I have been given from my brothers
and sisters (for I regard them as that) has been unstinting and comforting.
Not one of them has put pressure on me to become a Muslim and every
convert/revert I've spoken to has told me to take my time. One of the big
turning points for me happened earlier this year when the Israelis began
shelling The Church of the Nativity in Manger Square, one of the most
precious monuments for Christians. Every year thousands of school children
re-enact the Nativity at Christmas time, a potent symbol of Christianity.
Yet, not one Church of England leader publicly denounced the Israelis for
their attack. Our Prime Minister Tony Blair, who loves to be pictured coming
out of church surrounded by his family, espousing Christian values, was
silent. Only the Pope had the guts to condemn this atrocity. I was shocked
and saddened and felt there was no backbone in my religious leaders. At
least with Islam I need no mediator or conduit to rely upon, I can have a
direct line with God anytime I want.
While I feel under no pressure to convert/revert by Muslims, the real
pressure to walk away from Islam has come from some friends and journalists
who like to think they're cynical, hard-bitten, hard-drinking, observers of
the world. Religion of any form makes them feel uneasy, but Islam, well
that's something even worse. You'd think I had made a pact with the devil or
wanted to become a grand wizard in the Ku Klux Klan.
Others feared I was being brainwashed and that I would soon be back in my
burqa, silenced forever like all Muslim women. This, of course, is nonsense.
I have never met so many well-educated, opinionated, outspoken, intelligent,
politically aware women in the Muslim groups I have visited throughout the
UK. Feminism pales into insignificance when it comes to the sisterhood,
which has a strong identity and a loud voice in this country. Yes, it is
true that many Muslim women around the world are subjugated, but this has
only come about through other cultures hijacking and misinterpreting the
Quran (Saudis take note).
I wish I had this knowledge (and I'm still very much a novice) when I was
captured by the Taliban because I would have asked them why they treated
their own women so badly. The Quran makes it crystal clear that all Muslims,
men and women are entirely equal in worth, spirituality and responsibility.
Allah ordained equality and fairness for women in education and opportunity.
Fair property law and divorce settlements were introduced for Muslim women
1400 years ago; maybe this is where Californian divorce lawyers got their
inspiration from in recent years! The Quran could have been written
yesterday for today. It could sit very easily with any Green Party
manifesto, it is environmentally friendly and it is truely an inspiration
for the 21st century, yet not one word has changed since the day it was
written, unlike other religious tomes. "It's more punk than punk," musician
Aki Nawaz of the band Fun-da-Mental recently told me. And, of course he is
right.
Wednesday, March 05, 2003
Source > > http://www.sistersinislam.net |
