VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

VOICE OF THE GLOBAL UMMAH
Volume 25, April 28, 2008
St. Louis, Missouri

Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful

EDITORIAL:

Our Ummah is facing multiple challenges from all sides. Our Prophet Mohamed (SAW) did not claim to be a Sunni, Shia or did not claim to represent any of the specific schools of thoughts that exist among the Ummah today. He was a MUSLIM and brought the message of Islam to the world in the simplest of form. It is Muslims from the contemporary Ummah who have inadvertently polluted the purity of Islam as evidenced through the prism glass of one’s national, political, social and cultural color. To put it in a simplistic manner, the Holy Quran and the Hadith are the two major guideposts for the Ummah to follow. IT IS LEFT UPTO THE UMMAH as to how simple or how complicated they can represent and (or) misrepresent Islam to be.

Islam as an independent entity is extremely powerful. Not surprisingly many groups including the terrorist, political and governmental entities are capitalizing on it one way or the other – for OR against; using OR misusing & at times perverting Islam.

The unfortunate part is that the majority of the UMMAH are generally passive and shy away from asserting their Islamic identity in a positive way. From this perspective, we have very deep respect for the Muslim sisters especially in non-Muslim countries that have demonstrated enormous courage to be able to assert themselves as a MUSLIMA despite all negativity against Islam that is around them. It is NOT JUST a simple visible act of putting on a part of one’s clothing, but a conscious, determined act that comes from extraordinary determination. Such assertion and demonstration of Islamic obligation, is a major positive aspect that needs not only to be IDENTIFIED but also to be REINFORCED time and time again.

Muslim women are not the only ones to take on the responsibility to visibly assert themselves as people of the Islamic faith. Men can also increase the extent of doing their part in a multitude of ways.

The focus in this issue on CHINA'S WOMEN MOSQUES. This is another topic that addresses DIVERSITY OF THE GLOBAL UMMAH. Such diversity of a single religion is in a way a ROLE MODEL for the entire HUMANITY.

Going beyond diversity of Muslims, the diversity in terms of Muslim women adapting to HIJAB in their professions such as being a Female Police Officer in Australia and UK and trying to modify hijab to make it more fashion friendly and acceptable such as the picture shown below from Germany, the Science of the Veil, poetry about the Hijab et.c. are further additions to this weekly issue.

CHINA'S WOMEN MOSQUES:

Women's Mosques in China are for the women, who both lead and administer them. (Authors: Maria Jaschok with Shui Jingjun).

After the 1980's when China opened up to the outside world, Chinese Muslims were reconnected with the Arab world and found the legitimacy of above unique female institution questioned. In response, Muslim women began to explain and justify their mosques led by female ahong.

1) First they argued that Chinese Muslims face conditions that require specific measures.

2) As a minority religious group, Muslims depend upon women to transmit and preserve islam to their children and the family as a whole.

3) Female Ahong cite "AYESHA (RADI ALLAHU ANHA) AS A ROLE MODEL WHO ALSO LED WOMEN IN WORSHIP AND PRAYER.

4) Female hajiras refer with pride to Mecca's "AYESHA MOSQUE" as well as MADINAH'S SACRED MOSQUE, where men and women worship separately. IF "WOMEN ONLY" SPACES EXIST IN SUCH IMPORTANT MOSQUES, THEY ASSERT, ESTABLISHING WOMEN'S MOSQUES IS BOTH LEGITIMATE AND JUSTIFIED.

In China, Muslim women lead all-women services. In fact, the country's women-only mosques are run and administered by women and for women.

The history of of China's women's mosques goes back several hundred years. Found mainly in central China (Henan, Shandong, Shanxi and Hebei) they are in large part often financed by women, run by female ahong, and assisted by an elected management committee of respected female elders from the local Chinese Muslim community. Estimates of China's Muslim population vary between 18 and 24 million. Regarded as an ethnic religion, Islam has adherents among ten nationalities, the largest one being the HUIS, a more assimilated Mandarin speaking community of about 10 million Muslims spread over several provinces in China. Women's mosque are the most closely associated with this group. Although mostly found in Henan (900,000) and Gansu (1.5 million), Huis live in the province that the Chinese Govt created especially for them: the "HUIS AUTONOMOUS REGION" of Ningxia, north of Zhengzhou.

Ahong is used for both male and female Imams. Female ahong enjoy a position that is similar to and identical with the status of an Imam. A female ahong residing at a nusi is usually responsible for dispensing ritual guidance and religious instruction, counseling and carrying out various ceremonial and political duties.

The most creative intellectual and educational responses came from Huis Muslim intellectuals living in Central China. These intellectuals sought innovative ways to bring religious knowledge into the families and the families into the Mosques. Religious education was systematized and made accessible to ordinary Muslims. "INCLUDING" women was considered imperative if this project were to succeed, for THEY WERE THE ONES WHO WOULD TRANSMIT AND PRESERVE ISLAM.

Women, who had traditionally been regarded as particularly prone to ignorance and superstition now became targets of religious education and teachers of other women because of their central status in a family-centered society. Their participation was indispensable, given the strict gender segregation in Chinese society encoded in both Confusician morality and reinvigorated Shari'ah laws. Permanent arrangements for female religious instruction emerged by the late 18 and 19th centuries.

WOMEN'S MADRASSAS (nuxue) provided a unique spatial identity that eventually evolved into multi-functional NUSI where women, until today, perform ablutions, pray, receive instruction and counsel, congregate for special celebrations, and observe religious feast-days.

ALTHOUGH SMALLER IN SIZE AND LIMITED IN SOCIO-RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE, MANY WOMEN'S MOSQUES HAVE ACQUIRED THE SAME STATUS AS MEN'S MOSQUES.

Above development was strengthened by Chinese Govt's call for mandatory legal registration of all religious sites, a decision that since 1994, HAS ENABLED WOMEN'S MOSQUES TO ACQUIRE INDEPENDENT STATUS, TO ENJOY THE RIGHT OF POLITICAL REPRESENTATION, AND TO ENGAGE IN INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES.

SHINIANG and later increasingly female AHONG, have presided over women's religious institutions since the 19th century, instructed, prayed with and led the prayer congregations of Muslim women who depend entirely upon female leaders for knowledge of scripture and ritual. THE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH OF WOMEN'S SCHOOLING AND WOMEN'S MOSQUES IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY TESTIFIES TO THEIR DEDICATION AND DETERMINATION TO EQUAL MEN IN RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE.

SINCE THE 1990'S,THE PRESSURES OF MODERNIZATION AND GLOBALIZATION HAVE BROUGHT RENEWED ATTENTION TO CHINESE MUSLIM WOMEN'S ISLAMIC EDUCATION AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS.

IN WESTERN CHINA, FOR EXAMPLE, MUSLIM COMMUNITIES SUPPORT THE CREATION OF WOMEN'S SCHOOLS AND MOSQUES UNDER THE DIRECT MANAGEMENT OF MALE LEADERS.

(From "CHINA'S WOMEN MOSQUES" Islamic Horizons May-June 2008)

THE SOLDIERS OF ISLAM:

(The female Muslim Police had a choice: (1) To quietly blend in with the western attire, then the progress of establishing visual Islamic identity would be zero. (2) Work to assert their Islamic identity and below is the result. Our deep respects and admiration to them).

AUSTRALIA:

MAKING HIJAB PART OF VICTORIA POLICE UNIFORM (AUSTRALIA)

Constable Maha Sukkar yesterday became the first Victoria Police officer to wear a traditional Muslim hijab as part of her uniform. The 30-year-old former graphic designer was supported by her parents, who flew in from her native Beirut for her graduation ceremony, and friends from the Muslim community. "At first we were worried by how people would respond but we really admired her courage and she has been an inspiration to us," said her best friend, Aiesha Hussain, at the ceremony. The navy, lightweight hijab, specifically designed for Constable Sukkar, has Velcro to enable its release should she get caught in a physical scuffle...
http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/...

UNITED KINGDOM

Hijab Option for London Policewomen

Metropolitan Police in London has accepted Hijab as a uniform option for Muslim women serving in the force. The announcement was made at a conference on the theme of “Protect and Respect: Everybody’s Benefit”. The move is seen as a further sign of official acceptance of Britain as a religiously diverse society where faith-related accommodations should be made for all individuals.

The Muslim media in Britain had argued for accepting Hijab as a uniform option just as the turban was accepted as a part of the uniform for Sikh policemen. Sikh motorcyclists are also allowed to wear a turban in place of a crash helmet. Muslim policewomen will now be allowed to wear headscarf and the ankle length gown. Muslim police officers will now be allowed to pray on duty, demand halal food and have altered meal schedules during Ramadan.

In the above picture two models Shahnaz Shashudin and Syria Hussain are modeling hijab uniform for women police constables in front of New Scotland Yard, the headquarters of the London Metropolitan Police.

"Baby, it's all good! - A modern hijab poem"

Author unknown

What do you see when you look at me

Do you see someone limited, or someone free

All some people can do is just look and stare

Simply because they can't see my hair

Others think I am controlled and uneducated

They think that I am limited and un-liberated

They are so thankful that they are not me

Because they would like to remain 'free'

Well free isn't exactly the word I would've used

Describing women who are cheated on and abused

They think that I do not have opinions or voice

They think that being hooded isn't my choice

They think that the hood makes me look caged

That my husband or dad are totally outraged

All they can do is look at me in fear

And in my eye there is a tear

Not because I have been stared at or made fun of

But because people are ignoring the One up above

On the day of judgment they will be the fools

Because they were too ashamed to play by their own rules

Maybe the guys won't think I am a cutie

But at least I am filled with more inner beauty

See I have declined from being a guy's toy

Because I won't let myself be controlled by a boy

Real men are able to appreciate my mind

And aren't busy looking at my behind

Hooded girls are the ones really helping the Muslim cause

The role that we play definitely deserves applause

I will be recognized because I am smart and bright

And because some people are inspired by my sight

The smart ones are attracted by my tranquility

In the back of their mind they wish they were me

We have the strength to do what we think is right

Even if it means putting up a life long fight

You see we are not controlled by a mini skirt and tight shirt

We are given only respect, and never treated like dirt

So you see, we are the ones that are free and liberated

We are not the ones that are sexually terrorized and violated

We are the ones that are free and pure

We're free of STD's /AIDS that have no cure

So when people ask you how you feel about the hood

Just sum it up by saying,

'Baby its all good'

EUROPE

Women vow to protect Muslim hijab

Muslim women have launched a Europe-wide campaign to protect their right to wear the hijab headscarf. The international network Assembly for the Protection of Hijab, or Pro-Hijab, was formed in response to headscarf bans in France and parts of Germany. Pro-Hijab aims to reverse bans already brought in and prevent more "abuses of democracy" being imposed. "As Muslims we are proud of the hijab, we are not oppressed," said co-ordinator Abeer Pharaon.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3805733.stm

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE VEIL:
(Forwarded to Ed by Tabassum Yusuf - Toronto, Canada)

There are a number of health and moral benefits that wearing the veil can provide the moral duty of wearing the veil. Hagab in Islam is an often-discussed topic among Muslim women. However, little has been written about scientific reasons that the veil is beneficial for society. There are, in fact, a number of health benefits that wearing the veil can provide, as well as many behavioral science studies that suggest that the Veil is the best attire (clothes) for women.

Protecting the head is very important from a health perspective. Results of medical tests show that 40-60% of body heat is lost through the head, So persons wearing head coverings during cold months are protected about fifty-percent more than those who do not. Chinese & Muslim medical texts take this concept even further. In the Hua Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor's Classic on Internal Medicine), wind is said to cause sudden changes within the body & shaking, swaying & other movements that potentially upset the body's equilibrium; thus, creating bad health.

These texts attribute the common cold to wind elements entering the body & causing the typical symptoms of sneezing & a runny nose. In the traditional Islamic medical texts of Al Jawziyya, we can find numerous references to the "four elements" of fire, water, air, & earth, & how these affect the body in adverse ways. In particular, we are advised to stay away from drafts & to protect our heads in wind, breezes, drafts & cold weather.

All outdoor workers should wear some sort of head covering. For this reason; protecting the head is even more important in warm weather. V.G. Rocine, a prominent brain research specialist, has found that brain phosphorus melts at 108 degrees; a temperature that can be easily reached if one stays under the hot sun for any length of time without a head covering. When this happens, irreversible brain damage, memory loss & loss of some brain functions can result. Although this example is extreme, brain damage can still be measured in small degrees from frequent exposure to & overheating of the head.

Bernard Jensen, a naturopath & chiropractor, states that this is because the brain runs on the mineral phosphorus, which is influenced by heat.

Hygienic Purposes: All public are encouraged to wear a veil or head covering. Workers serving society to ensure cleanliness & purity. Workers in a number of professions wears "veils" - nurses, fast food workers, and deli counter workers, restaurant workers & servers, doctors, health care providers, & many more. In fact, when we compare the number of workers who cover their heads to the number who do not, we find that more people probably cover their heads than do not.

Social Influence: Aside from personal & public health benefits of the Veil, it has numerous other benefits to society. In analyzing visual data, Ball & Smith discuss the acknowledgment of sociologists that visual representations are influential in shaping people's views of the world & their interpretations of life. Men use visual data to interpret their relationship with the woman around them.

Many studies have found that when a person tries to rewire their instinctual perceptions, they are usually only rewired on the surface; their original perceptions still exist on some level. Brain studies show that we exist in a world of constantly varying light variables that force the brain to perform what is called "lateral inhibition" consequently, it provides us with a "steady" image as opposed to a "true" image of what we see.

Furthermore, lateral inhibition networks operate as part of the "Unconscious" brain; largely, without providing any information to the "Conscious" part of the brain about what they are doing. Therefore, the brain can provide varying perceptions of the world without our even being fully conscious of what it is processing.

Further studies cited in Encyclopedia Britannica show that how a female presents herself to society falls under the category of ritualized behavior through which animals provide specific information to other animals, usually members of its own species. Virtually all-higher animals, including humans, use displays to some extent to do this & the best known displays are visual ones.

Some biologists actually restrict the term display to refer to visual signals or gestures. These visual signals, which in animals can be simply a bright color or plume, encourage attraction. In humans, they are usually exhibited in ornamental hair, make up or clothing. In our society, most of the time attractive hairstyles & clothing are worn for the purpose of making the adorner more attractive (advertising & television has institutionalized this reality). The ever changing variations in fashion tend to affect the brain because it typically has trouble constantly adjusting to changing shadows & forms in the world.

Reasonably then, through "lateral inhibition," the brain automatically simplifies these images into the unconscious message that attractive hair & clothing is meant to attract. Joining these two concepts together, we can see how the human male could receive the signal of "attraction" from the brain before he has enough time to "block" it by "lowering his gaze." Having to re-form an image already processed by the lateral inhibition network is a cause of stress for most people. Doing this day after day, after seeing many "displays," potentially causes a great cumulative stress on society.

Present day stresses arise from many things; among these are the vast amounts of visual & physical input we are bombarded with in this "information age" of personal freedom. The problem we face in this is that the body still continues to respond in the same fashion as during primitive times, releasing large amounts of these hormones, which can be very harmful. They can cause an increase in blood pressure, damage muscle tissue, lead to infertility, inhibit growth, damage the hippocampus & suppress the immune system. The two most effective solutions to this problem are, first, to convince the advertising industry, & society as a whole to alter the presentation of women to our males. The second & more viable way is to simply influence women to dress modestly, which will help ensure that they do not send inappropriate visual signals to men.

Female Psychological Balance: Last, but not least, covering the hair can also have a beneficial effect on the female psyche as well. Studies of women being interviewed for jobs show that there is a high correlation between what they wear & their perceptions of how successful they will be in their interviews. There are many more examples of how what we wear can influence how we act. Wearing a veil can serve to remind women of their religious duties & behavioral expectations.

It can also serve as a reminder to women that we are not only individuals, but also representatives & diplomats of our "Ummah."
Forwarded by: Tariq Usman. Author: Unknown.

HIJAAB IS AN ATTITUDE, NOT A FASHION

Wearing the hijaab isn't just a matter of simply putting a piece of cloth on your head, it is an attitude, a way of thinking and behaving, and accepting yourself for who and what you are. Basically it constitutes an Islamic way of life, it is a statement which indeed should portray a certain attitude.

A woman may indeed wear a long skirt and a scarf, but if she flirts constantly, then she can't be really described as wearing the Hijaab (Indeed clothes should be long, loose and not see through, after which any style of clothing is applicable). The whole idea involves conducting oneself with dignity at all times (that means running for the bus and boisterous behavior in public is not a good idea!!).
http://www.themodernreligion.com/women/w_hijab_attitude.htm

GERMANY

Berlin Woman Designs 'Modern' Alternative To Hijab

Even as the headscarf row simmers in Germany, a Berlin Muslim has designed colorful alternative headgear that serves the purpose of a traditional hijab but looks like anything but... Finding takers is a problem. On a sunny winter morning, Emel Algan drives up in a black Mini car to the office of her Islamic women's organization in Berlin's largely Turkish Kreuzberg district, her pixie-like face framed by a swath of striking pink fabric. Indoors, Algan (photo) does a quick fashion show as she exchanges her cleverly-woven bright hood cum scarf for a jaunty shaded green silk hat with an attached piece of fabric that buttons under the chin and flows to the chest and a floral patterned bandanna-like creation that gathers in at the back of the head.
http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1441_A_1135389,00.html http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2004-03/10/article03.shtml

Far More Precious Than Diamonds and Pearls:

The following incident took place when Muhammad Ali's daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters:

When we finally arrived, the chaueffer escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father's suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.

My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground,covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them."

He looked at me with serious eyes. "Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."

ON A LIGHTER SIDE...................

Michael Jackson & child in Bahrein

Common, pop-star, we know who you are, please don't imitate those to whom you don't belong.

"Ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) stated: "Allah has cursed the men who make themselves look like women and the women who make themselves look like men".

Abu Hurayrah stated another hadith: "Allah has cursed men who wear the clothes of women and women who wear the clothes of men".

Acknowledgements:
For hijab photos, hijab poem and articles on hijab - www.hijabshop.com.

As usual, feel free to e-mail your valuable comments: mehrunyusuficds.com.