Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Why I wear hijab..? |
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| Laboogie |
| 03/22/01 at 18:48:58 |
| As-salamu alakium First let me say that i know why I wear hijab, I just needed something to catch your attention. Anyways, Inshallah Im going to be a teacher one day, and wanted to know how can i explain to my students who are going to be young(5-11)why i wear hijab. I have been in this position many times but I think they dont understand. For example the conversation would go like this: Students: "Ms. L why do you wear that on your head?" Ms.L (me) "because of my religion" Kids:"religion?(looking rather confused) whats is religion?",and it just goes on and on. People tell me that i tend to do handle the situation pretty well, but I just I dont explain as much as I would like to b/c many times the classroom that Im in is not mine, you know. So my question is to you out there is what are different ways you have approached this probably, what suggestions do you have for me. I cant wait until I have my own classroom b/c Im going to have a whole unit on Islam :) Salams and thank you |
| Re: Why I wear hijab..? |
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| Kathy |
| 03/23/01 at 09:31:39 |
| As salaamu alaykum. I am in classrooms all the time. The kids seem only interested at first. When they ask I just say it's because I am Muslim and in my religion women are supposed to wear them. It really is that simple. The girls love to check out the "prettiness" of various scarves. I also wear a "funky" ( where did I hear that term before?) pin to keep the scarf closed in front. Keeps them interested! |
| Re: Why I wear hijab..? |
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| gift |
| 03/23/01 at 10:14:51 |
| [slm] kathy that sounds like a really great idea, at least if they're interested they'll ask questions, and then who knows? inshallah Allah swt will reward you for having given them a little insight into Islam. ;-D [wlm] |
| Re: Why I wear hijab..? |
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| Fatoosh |
| 03/23/01 at 10:46:59 |
| SalaamAlaikum Laboogie, I too am going to be a teacher some day (in a year, inshallah). I have been thinking about this also. But more importantly, I have struggling with the issue of dawah in public schools. As a teacher, I will not be able to (by law) speak to my students about Islam as a solution to their problems-- but how can I NOT tell them about Islam? they need it more than anything else. I want to teach in inner-city schools, and I know my students are going to have a lot of problems in their families and community. So if you, or anyone else can help me in this issue, I'd appreciate it. :-) [wlm] |
| Re: Why I wear hijab..? |
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| Arsalan |
| 03/23/01 at 12:59:38 |
| [slm] Fatoosh, the best form of da'wah is by your action and behavior. You don't have to talk to them about Islam. If you simply be the best teacher that you can be, care for the children, show interest in their learning, growth and maturity, and make them look up to you and respect you, you will be well along your way. If they know that you are a Muslim, they see you wear the hijaab, and they also see you as a role model in the way you not only treat with them but also the other teachers, they will have tremendous respect for Islam through you. Later, when they grow up, they may become interested in finding out more about the religion of their favorite teacher from elementary school. If you can do that, if all Muslim teachers who teach in public schools can do that, then I think we will have accomplished something huge! Wallahu a'lam. Wassalamu alaikum. |
| Re: Why I wear hijab..? |
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| Laboogie |
| 03/23/01 at 21:56:11 |
| as-salamu alakium Oh, the kids are so interested in why I wear it, some like it and their are a few who dont. But many of these kids dont even know what religion is, so when I tell them "b/c of my religion" they seem clueless. I think this has to do with the education they are reciving at home. Many of these kids are not brought up in religious homes, so they are not exposed to it or the term. For example, I had a student of mine(she's a jehovah's witness, 6yr.old)who asked me "Miss L. when are u going to show us your hair" I told I cant, and she asked why and I told her b/c of my religion. She was able to understand that, but the only reason why, was b/c she is being brought up in a religious home,and their are things that she cant do b/c of her religion; so I guess she can relate. But that only happens once in a while. Anyways I agree with what Arsalan had said about the best dawah is by behavior and action. Another thing, sis Fatoosh where do you want to teach? It's funny how in the education field they say that teachers shouldn't talk about religion, etc, you know the whole thing about "separation of church and state". My question to them is why do they give breaks during/or around the christian holidays? Or why do they give x-mas parties, etc. in the classroom? Sis Fatoosh you can teach about Islam, it may not be when you want to but when the curriculm says to and the good thing is that they will have someone in their class who is a muslim and who can tell the truth and correct any misconceptions that they may have or the ones in the book. Oh let me tell what happen to me, I was looking through my lil sisters history book (I love history :) ) plus I like to see what they say about Islam. And when I got to the part on Islam, theres a "picture" of prophet muhammad(pbu), I told my lil sister that this is wrong (shes not muslim [my family isnt]) b/c I didnt want her to think that we have images of prohet muhammad (pbu) you know; it was crazy, I felt so violated. I know that when I become a teacher inshallah I'm going to have a Big unit on Islam, but you still have to be careful b/c there are some parents who will hate you for it and will do whatever they can to get you fired. So I understand where u are coming from sista fatoosh, so where are you studying by the way? Thanks all for your inputs, they have been very helpful, may Allah reward you. Salaams |
| Re: Why I wear hijab..? |
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| destined |
| 03/23/01 at 23:22:26 |
| [slm] I just recently changed my major to early education. I *really* want to teach at an Islamic School insha'Allah (since there's quite a few where I live) so hopefully I won't have to explain to the kids bout the whole 'hijab' thing. But in case I end up teaching at a regular school (non-Islamic), I have been thinking bout what I might say to the kids...I think Sis Kathy's response is ideal & str8 to the point although Br Arsalan raised a good point as well. So maybe u can combine the 2 together just my 2 cents... :) |
| Re: Why I wear hijab..? |
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| Barr |
| 03/24/01 at 09:33:27 |
| Salam, everyone... Just wanna share smt similar. It was during one of my classes years ago, and we are supposed to do a presentation on ANYTHING. It was quite impromtu (spelling?)... so, I finally decided to tell them why I wear the hijab. I was the only Muslim in the class. Cutting a long story short, I gave them an analogy of a clock. A really expensive clock, that is well made by the Swiss craftsman, would find itself in a glass showcase, in a store that specialises in fine jewellery. Only those who are truly interested to buy it, would find themselves to be priviledged to have a closer look and examine it. And even if the buyer so wishes to not to buy it, the clock would still have a certain "impact" on the buyer. This is very different from a clock being sold at a market, those that are mass produced, that do not come with a guarantee card, and is mighty cheap... it'll probably be displayed on an open table/ display shelf, where people regardless, of whether they're truly interested or not, can pick it up, meddle with it, and when it doesn't interest them, they can just put it back, not thinking twice about the product. The difference between these 2 clocks, is that one is valued, and another is not. Though they may serve the same basic function ie. tell time, but the value and quality of those 2 clocks vary widely. And for me, being a Muslim woman, Islam made me feel valued because I am valuable. And that is what God wants for us. And just like the valuable clock is in a glass showcase, I have my hijab. Alhamdulillah, I received some positive feedbacks, telling me how they understand it, now. But it's usually from the men, though... somehow, sometimes, I feel men understand it better than women... or is it just a case of denial for the latter? Hmm... |
| Re: Why I wear hijab..? |
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| Laboogie |
| 03/25/01 at 02:12:10 |
| As-salamu alakium Barr, that was an excellent analogy, I might use that in my future class, if you would allow it :) please. Destined, my goal is to one day as well teach in islamic school but my plan is know the system (that we call education system in the states) you know, know the rules, curriculm,etc. By having skills in certain areas and very important areas, that will one day help our young muslims succed in this socitey. Many of our islamic teachers are good but many of them lack certain skills that can make Islam boringto our young students. With certain skills we can make Islam a Wonderful learning experince you know. So hopefull, inshallah I will teach in an Islamic school, and help train those teachers on how to educate our children, inshllah. Salaams |
| Re: Why I wear hijab..? |
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| Fatoosh |
| 03/25/01 at 17:36:51 |
| SalaamAlaikum Alhamdulilah, all of your advice helps a lot. Jazakallahu Khair. Laboogie, I want to teach, for my first two years at least, in inner-city Chicago schools. -Fatoosh |
| Re: Why I wear hijab..? |
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| Barr |
| 03/26/01 at 00:58:56 |
| Wa'alaikumussalam warahmatullah, No probs, ukhti... no copyrights on that one :) Another analogy you can give is that of a banana. Maybe U can even bring a banana to class. Peel a banana and leave anotehr one unpeeled. then, let the class hold it.. at the end of the session, they'll see the effects of an "unhijabed" banana... and maybe, U can de-brief them of that session, and fit in Y we wear the hijab. Hope this helps, inshaALlah... And jazakillah for your endeavours to help bring a more interesting, fun, yet effective lessons to our students :) Ukhtukum fillah :-) |
| Re: Why I wear hijab..? |
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| Kathy |
| 03/26/01 at 08:44:25 |
| [slm] Nice imagery! |
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