 |
| Me in hijab, Day 1 |
I told my co-worker, who asked where my hijab was this morning that I wasn't allowed to wear it to work, per the boss's orders. Her jaw dropped. "Not allowed?? How can he not allow you to wear a head covering? Do we have a policy on that?"
Yes, as Director of Human Resources at one of the largest employers in Tarrant County, I see the irony in this situation.
No, we do NOT have a policy on head coverings, and while I'm still the person in charge of putting together the policy manual, we won't. (Not to mention the obvious illegalities involved in such a policy.)
I went to Kohls during lunch and as I was checking out, noted that the couple in line behind me kept their distance. And "All-American" couple, the husband, I would guess, was present or former military. The wife, a petite blonde and the daughter, a cutie with a pink dress on, purposefully avoided my glance. They stood at least a car length behind me, as if Islam is contagious or something! It made me smile on my way out.
Other things that made me smile today:
1. Riding Clementine (my scooter) with a hijab. Its tricky to keep that thing down, let me tell you. And I can only imagine how silly I look with my bobble head helmet and my scarf flying behind me like a cape.
2. Going to Walmart. The Cashier was convinced she knew me from somewhere. It took all of my personal fortitude to prevent myself from saying "Oh, its the head covering. We all look alike in these things." HA.
Finally, a few random facts about Islam:
1. Muslims don't eat pork. While this is widely known, it is less widely known that they also don't eat lions or alligators, or anything carnivorous. Also pepperoni (pork), bacon (also pork, sadly), and sausage. And jello. And marshmellows (except halaal versions). I bet you didn't know jello and marshmellows had pork in them, did you? Check the package!
2. Islam was founded about 600 years after Christianity. This was a surprise to me because I figured it predated Christianity since they trace their original lineage back to Ishmael, the brother of Isaac. But the actual religion was founded by Mohammad in around 610-622 AD.
3. Islam is competing with Mormonism for the fastest growing religion in the United States.
I think its unfortunate, in a country that so values freedom and personal liberty, that Muslims are the one group in the United States that it is widely accepted to discriminate against and stereotype.
More on Day 2, I'm exhausted! :-)
Wow! This is fascinating. I've been missing marshmallows. haha It's generally considered unhealthy to eat carnivorous animals. Which is what scares me about being a vegetarian. I'm going to be the first one eaten if I get stranded on an island after a terribly strange plane trip!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work! This is just fantastic.
Salaam, sis! I always wanted to ride a scooter! The only issue is that my three kids don't fit on the back :) We be following and enjoying seeing where this goes.
ReplyDeleteA couple little side notes for your project: many Muslims don't do Halloween...pagan-inspired holiday. It is rare to hear a Muslim say "convert." We typically refer to people that have chosen Islam as "reverted" or "embracing" Islam, giving credence to the notion that we are all born with the way and truth of Islam innately in us. I chose to embrace Islam in the last five years, after reading a copy of the Holy Quran lent to me. Since my kids were already doing the costume thing, they still do. :)
ReplyDelete