I WANT THE NIQAB BANNED!!!

NO I DON'T!!!

I hope that grabbed your attention.
You will probably know from the title that this blog post will be about the Niqab (the veil that covers the face revealing mainly the eyes) and the latest heated issue about it being banned.

(Before I start, this post is a late one as I was away on the weekend, meeting new people and taking part in workshops. In two weeks time I will be away for a week on an international exchange in Lake District with people from Palestine, Israel, Indonesia, Pakistan, US and the UK to talk and learn about conflicts and cultures.)

Firstly, my view on the Niqab ban... I think that it is pointless. The ladies of this Ummah are strong and will not step down and give up their veil because a few guys who have nothing to do said do. Psshhttt. Plus, there are so many other things in society that need sorting (eg) Big girls wearing transparent leggings with a vest top (this needs to be banned and burnt) or girls who go out wearing next to nothing, however it seems as though the Niqab is the biggest threat in society at the moment.
People are afraid of a few ladies wearing a Niqab? El Oh El.
I do not wear the Niqab nor do I wear the Hijab (Headscarf). But I can tell you, the ladies wearing these pieces of cloths are 100 times more beautiful than a lady who is not in veil.
I don't know why, but I like the sense of mysteriousness when I speak to a sister wearing the Niqab. Eyes can tell a story which the mouth cannot. Happiness, sorrow, guilt, serenity. As much as I want to see their face, I would rather know what they are like because the heart matters more than the face.

Islamically, as far as my understanding goes, and feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but the Niqab is not compulsory. Covering the hair with a head scarf is compulsory and is written in the Qur'an however the Niqab is not. This is a choice that is given and no one is forced, so do not even once think that the men of Islam are forcing their women to wear the Niqab. (Maybe in other countries the women are made to wear it but it is done for the protection of the women. But the West have managed to brainwash people and make it look like a negative thing. This does not apply to the people of the UK so I won't go into detail.) We live in a so called 'democratic' country yet the freewill to dress modestly is being discussed to be taken away.
I don't understand this logic.

I understand that in work places such as school and dealing with customers, the Niqab isn't the wisest choice, however, it does not mean that it should get banned. In Islam it says that we should follow the laws and rules of the place that we live in. And in certain places such as schools, it is alright to remove the Niqab so people can see your face.
In secondary school, in the last year, we had a replacement teacher and it was only after a few weeks when we saw her out of school, we realised that she wore the Niqab. She did not complain against the school policy but instead she calmly removed her Niqab before entering the school and placed it back on her face at the end of the day when leaving.

Many of you may or may not have watched the Channel 4 debate on the Niqab ban. It is surprising to see even Muslims being against the ban. But people are entitled to their own opinions even if it is stupid and makes no sense. There is something that one of the sister's said which was a good point.
They want to ban the veil due to communication problems. However, not all work places need face-to-face communications such as a call centre. People don't know how other people look when speaking on the phone yet they are still able to communicate. Whether someone wears or doesn't wear the Niqab will not make a difference. Therefore the Niqab does not need to be banned in all public places.

(Watch the debate if you haven't done so)
http://www.channel4.com/news/debate-should-british-women-wear-the-niqab-video

Just to wrap up this blog, I would like to say, it does take a lot of courage for a lady to walk the streets with her face covered, to keep her gaze low and to stay modest in a society where modesty is frowned upon and where nudity is seen as a good deed. The Hijab is an act of faith, a symbol, for all the world to see, a simple cloth to preserve the dignity. (A bit of Dawud Wharnsby Ali - The Veil http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg_8-LPq5qY )
So, keep it on sisters and do not get threatened. Wearing the Niqab in this society is your jihad and you will wear it regardless of the struggle.
I have spent times in my college prayer room with girls my age who wore/wear the Niqab and they are some of the nicest people I have met, I swear to God. And do not think that because a lady is covered up, she is restricted in everything. No. These sisters used to have jokes and their laughter used to make me end up in fits. Some sisters I used to know, used to run around and take part in sports. The Hijab never restricts anyone in anything, it is other people who restrict these Hijabis/Niqabis.

As always, I hope I have not offended any person out there.
I hope that if you had negative views on the Niqab, that this changed your mind a little and if you had positive views about the Niqab then yaay :)

A late Salaam Saturday
Sayonara
Ma'as Salama
Au Revoir.
Tata.
Peace out.

Uni life is stressful!
Whoever said 'Go all out in first year, enjoy it and get wasted' well, you're a really bad role model.
I have only been at Uni for two weeks and already I'm stressed. I've always had eye bags but now my eye bags have reached my chin (ok, I kind of over exaggerated)
We recently had seminars on democracy and journalism. I have written a whole blog post about democracy and my view on it. I have said it before and I will say it again, DEMOCRACY IS A LOAD OF RUBBISH!!! It does not exist. It is a man made lie, a myth.
A state which is said to have democracy isn't true. Its like the illuminati business. They draw you in slowly and corrupt your mind. (That's not a great metaphor, but it's similar. In all honesty, I barely know what illuminati is, except that it is guidance towards evil and daaaahmmm!!! That's what democracy is!! )

In the seminars we have been discussing a quote which goes something like 'journalism is another name for democracy'. Blah blah blah.
I have had to try and control what I say. One because, I'm not political so I am afraid of saying something stupid. All  know is that democracy means power to the people.
Two because, although criticism isn't a bad thing, I am afraid that what I say will get criticised. There is really no 'freedom of speech'.
Lastly, number three, (a handful of you will be turning your heads right to left in disagreement and a armful of you might be like... 'woooh go Salma' and some of you guys might be lost now in what I'm writing about) Islam says it all about democracy. Democracy shouldn't exist. Why should man have power to rule a country when God made the world. God rules the world and God rules the country.

If they want laws and rules and all the other shizzle, READ THE QUR'AN maybe (even the bible or Torah, They have rules and laws). That's just my view to be honest.

Doing Journalism, we were made to make a new blog where we have to write about university, lectures and seminars every week, which will go towards our portfolios :O WHYYYY!!!
I'm not good at writing about university shizzle.

Aside from all of this uni stuff,
Oh my God!!! Eid came and went. Despite having to go to a workshop for 3 hours in the morning, it was amazing. dressing up, eating, seeing old cousins, waiting on the meat to come -which never did until the next day. I helped my mum divide it which put me off from eating the curry that she made later on. (Anyone else feel the same?)

One thing that really bothers me is when people say, 'oooh I can't be bothered about Eid this year'. SHUT UP!!!! AND BE BOTHERED!!!
People are showing less interest in Eid which happens only twice a year yet they want their children to be good Muslims. Well, if you show more interest in Christmas and Easter, then your child will grow up only eager for those holidays and celebrations. We should take pride in this celebration. I wish I lived in an Arab country. The buzz and the atmosphere would be wild and lively.
Despite all that, I had a wonderful Eid. But one thing really affected me the next day.

Eating cats, dogs and rats was made a fatwa in Syria due to the lack of food and nutrition. Oh my Lord. CATS AND DOGS!!! This is not out of choice but out of dire need. May Allah make is easier for them. Please do all you can, charity, prayers, anything to help people them in the world.
I feel so helpless and useless living here and reading about these kind of issues. But God works in mysterious ways and all this crisis will turn around eventually.
Even the prophet Muhammad (saw) spoke of the children of Shaam. They are the real martyrs.
Their tears are like pearls and their prayers and calls are heard.
Time needs a chance in order for everything to get better.

Hopefully, Soon
The people who have shed blood and tears will win back what is theirs. They are already winners, They just need to win their possessions back.

(This blog was a bit all over the place and I do apologise for that. I've been really busy recently -.-
Next week's post will be delayed a little bit as well as I will be away for the weekend)
(I hope I have not offended any one. Everything good that I have done is from Allah and all my wrong doings are from no one but myself)

Peace out
Bless
Take care :D

Oppa Story time!!!

Salaam my fellow people,
People of the world.

I know it's day time, and most of us probably woke up a few hours or minutes ago, but I'm going to have a short STORY TIME!!! Op Op, Oppa story time.

So recently on Facebook and Twitter, I posted a status telling my friends and family to inbox me stories, poems or pictures or anything creative and I would choose the winner and post their creative piece in my next blog.

This was the winner story after choosing very hard between 3 pieces. A stupid poem which deserves no credit, a one worded story and finally the winner. A dear friend of mine, a young lady with passion for literature, Khadija Rahman. Well done young laday!!! (Plus you were the only sane one in this small competition)
This is an extract of her story which she is working on:

'Tears fell from her gentle brown eyes as he whispered those two words... 'she's dead'. Only then did the feeling of woefulness overcome her entire body. Finally had the surreal-ness faded as she slowly drew herself closer to the body, that laid there with merely nothing. But just a white cloth to cover her. She sat parallel to the body, crouched, with her head buried in her knees. For had she not only lost her niece that day but her best friend also.'

This needs a round of applause. So where ever you are reading from, please clap. (Thank you to those who clapped. If you didn't clap, there is going to be a witch standing at your bedroom window tonight.) Although it's just an extract, it engaged me straight away and to be honest, I was left wanting more. So to the winner, if you are reading this, HURRY UP AND TRY AND FINISH THIS THANG!!!


If any of you have a creative side and you would like to share something, but may not have a blog or anything, why not share it with me.
I could post it for you and don't worry, I will give you credit for it.
I think expression through creative writing or even drawing is important. It doesn't even matter if what you write make no sense to others, as long as it makes sense to you, then that's what counts.


Hope you enjoyed the short story.
If you want more then let me know

سلام
再见- Zàijiàn
Au revoir
Sayonara
Adios

Email me your pieces on: salmaraziakhatun@gmail.com
Follow me on twitter & Instagram: SalmaKhatun95

ThrowBack - Chillin' with Usher... Naaaah, not really

Salaam Saturday

In 2011, I attended a work shop lead by some American dudes on different things like branding, respect, service, education and how we see ourselves and where we would like to see ourselves in 5 years time. 

The workshop was lead by young guys from a foundation called 'Usher's New Look Foundation' and was started of by the man himself, USHER!!! 

None of us thought he would come in to the workshop as it was in a crappy youth centre, but as we chanted catch phrases, the guy walked in!! 

I'm not always fazed by celebrities and I'm not a huge fan but this is the dude who is always on television with the latest tracks and such. (Plus, I was younger and anyone I saw got me excited)

(left) Usher walking in at which point we were star struck. (right) Me shaking Usher's hand after talking to him

Anyway, by attending this workshop, I had the opportunity to go to a free concert (yaaaay) and the opportunity to go to Atlanta to attend a 3 days conference and meet others from all over the world. I made some pretty awesome friends out there, one whom I stay in contact with and see time to time when he comes down to London :)

While I was out there, there was a night where we were allowed to express our talents because this conference was about learning new things and learning about ourselves and the talents which we hold.

I'm not such a confident person however I couldn't let this pass. As dozens of people sang, danced, played an instrument, rapped etc in a hall in front of 400-500 people, I decided to go up and read a poem which I had written in London for fun. 

Looking back at the poem, it doesn't seem all that (work of an amateur) but I'll write it out and show you guys what I read.

It got me a round of applause and a few 'woop woops!!!' and a few 'brap braps' and people who I hadn't met came to compliment me. I was younger then, so I think I thought I was the next Tupac or something. 

Even this dude called Dougie Fresh (apparently the Jay-Z of his days) came and said well done to me :D

(Even though I don't know him, I fainted a little)

You see, this life is a test

We must not reject what god claims

At the end of our lives, we are to blame

Our lives are like trains, ongoing

Only we can restrain

We’ve got to fear the hardship ahead

Thousand out there who have bled

And shed tears from their eyes

Until they could no longer cry

What they thought was fame, really made them die.

There are those who live life behind bars

Thinking what life would have been like if they stood back

And didn’t help corrupt innocent lives

They turn to the sky seeking for the lord

They leave that tiny space changing life to good

Not committing any fraud

They see they had failed their test once

Killing, corrupting, watching nude women dance

They could make a change with the click of a finger

The way a bullet shoots out of a gun with the pull of a trigger

They see sense, life’s no longer intense

As it used to be

They see a bright light shining upon he

Changed for the good

No longer a man from the hood

It was he that was the only one who could

The only one who could make that change and create brotherhood

Inviting others to seek that special relationship that he had made with the lord

Right now, they may be bored, no change, still bad men

But later on, they’ll be the big men who have found inner peace

Turning to the lord.

(left)Second day at the conference with my friend from Bermuda. (right) The Brits with Dougie Fresh (after my performance)

I hope you all enjoyed my throwback to 2011. 

Au Revoir

Salaam

(Follow me on twitter & Inastgram where I update quite a lot on things I do and just daily life: SalmaKhatun95)