Salam (Peace)!
Do you ever feel like no matter what you do you can’t solve a problem? I feel like that often enough, though I suppose the reason I feel like that is drawn more from my “idealistic” stand point. Like, we look around us and see a world in shambles and yet somewhere deep down we think that maybe, just maybe if we fight the fight we may one day be able to solve that problem. What ever that problem may be.
I’m not generally one to go on about politics; simply because I’m afraid I don’t have all the facts and therefore will come out sounding like a right ninny. Or else sometimes I just rather keep my political views harbored inside while on the outside I’ll let everyone around me think, that I’m just some supreme ditz. But certain issues just really hanker me, and drive me just a little crazy, either it be with furry or just a sense of uselessness, and sadness.
For example, we have Mukhtaran Mai, a young woman from Pakistan. Now I’m sure many of you have heard about this particular young woman, for she and her horrible story have been widely talked about in the media. Mukhtaran Mai is the woman, who in 2002 was gang-raped by many of the men in her village. I’ve been reading a little about it and I must say that it is one of those things that are driving me crazy, for so many varying reasons.
This is a touchy subject for many, but for me it really just infuriates me. I’ve never been to Pakistan, so I won’t boast in anyway that I know what it is like to live there, because I just don’t have a clue, however to me rape is rape and it should be dealt with appropriately. For the past couple of nights (for those of you who a) live in Canada and b) watch the news then this applies to you) on The National they have a little documentary on how women are being treated in Pakistan. I know when I say this a lot of people may possibly jump down my throat and state that I’m simply being brain washed by the “western” media but let’s face it, most countries have a sexism problem, and sadly poorer countries seem to have it bad in this area.
There are a few things that really get me going about this young woman’s case and they respectively are, that Mukhtaran’s life has been ruined, she deserves justice and that it has absolutely NOTHING to do with Islam. Basically there are hypocrites in every religion, those who bend certain things in their favor as a way to ease their conscience and as well as to sway others to agree. And most of the time there is a loyal band of gits. No religion is excluded from this truth, because like every religion Islam is followed by human beings, and we as a whole are generally weak things. We tend to bend to our desires, and we tend to screw the heck up quite a bit. But, that’s only to be expected with free will and all.
Anyway, so what really annoys, saddens and maddens me is that people automatically associate this horrible incident with Islam, what with Musharraf claiming to be Muslim and all (And hey, I’ll let Allah do the judging here, but people tend to speak for themselves) But it doesn’t help that loads of people think all Muslims and countries are filled with chauvinist pigs that illusion themselves with being “superior” to women. Who beat, rape, and treat them as slaves. Not saying it doesn’t happen, and I’m not saying certain people use their own warped interpretations to make their wrong, right but I will say that most…the vast majority aren’t such. Insha’Allah.
I think that if nothing is being done to uphold this woman’s honor in her own country then maybe it is important for others to get involved. I mean, we are talking about Mukhtaran’s respect, honor, and life here. It IS more then wrong, and woefully un-Islamic what has happened to not only her but others. Instead of bloody saying that these women are making up “rape” stories in order to flee their countries listen! And even if some are (and let it be known that I don’t think they are) making up such a story what the heck does it matter to them, Allah will be the Judge.
Before I get sidetracked the fact is that I look at these stories not only taking place in Pakistan, Afghanistan or where ever else and I can’t help but think that I’m useless. I often think about how we as a whole can do something to help. What can we do? Make noise? Get the story/stories out? They’re doing that already, but as Muslims what can we do to help, even if only in a little way.
I think we should keep all these people be it men, women, or children because they all endure sever trials around this world in our supplications after prayer. That may be a start, though I know many of you already do that.
I am lost. I truly am. We turn to Allah for truly it is He who is the only one who can do something but shouldn’t we do something too. It’s so overwhelming because there just seems to be so many bloody problems on earth. I mean, we can’t fix them all now can we? And that thought alone drives me crazy. I hate being cynical though most call that realism.
Probably if we each concentrated on one thing, be it dear sister Mukhtaran’s story or getting better care at a retirement facility we should do it. I will be the first to say that I’m selfish because in more ways then one I truly am. Everyone is, because we all have our own trials to bare, our own lessons to learn and grow from but does it mean that we should ignore other peoples? Maybe that’s where the problem started. Maybe it started with us simply being to self absorbed, and maybe one of the ways to come out of a trial is by helping others with theirs? Because maybe in the grand scheme of things are problems are all somewhat attached?
I don’t have an answer as to how we can free all the women, children and men who suffer at the hands of those who think they are superior. I really don’t, but maybe instead of being quite and letting things pass we should say something. I know that I get a lot of odd looks when I say that something should be said, because in everyone’s mind along with my own I think we think, “What’s the point”? And then we doubt our intentions and feel that it won’t make a difference. But perhaps it will, even if it’s the smallest of differences.
I sound idealistic, and it’s probably because I am, but idealism is truly a strong contributor to drive. The drive to make a difference when you still think you can, before you find out that it’s an uphill struggle. Before the hope you have harbored in likelihood that you can make a difference slips away as everyone else around you mocks, or doubts you. When we begin to doubt ourselves we begin to lose, and thus are replaced by this cold cynicism.
But then again maybe that cynicism is our defense, our fluffy pillows on which we fall when we realize the world isn’t what it seems. Who knows, but I do know that what happened to that woman, and what happens to others shouldn’t be something we simply sweep away under a rug hoping the dust will simply disappear. No, Allah condemns it and verily he is the best Judge’s and All Knowing. So then shouldn’t we?
Take care.
~Pink Gerbera~
P.S. After sleep my brain is still mushy but just won’t stop spinning its mushy wheels
Do you ever feel like no matter what you do you can’t solve a problem? I feel like that often enough, though I suppose the reason I feel like that is drawn more from my “idealistic” stand point. Like, we look around us and see a world in shambles and yet somewhere deep down we think that maybe, just maybe if we fight the fight we may one day be able to solve that problem. What ever that problem may be.
I’m not generally one to go on about politics; simply because I’m afraid I don’t have all the facts and therefore will come out sounding like a right ninny. Or else sometimes I just rather keep my political views harbored inside while on the outside I’ll let everyone around me think, that I’m just some supreme ditz. But certain issues just really hanker me, and drive me just a little crazy, either it be with furry or just a sense of uselessness, and sadness.
For example, we have Mukhtaran Mai, a young woman from Pakistan. Now I’m sure many of you have heard about this particular young woman, for she and her horrible story have been widely talked about in the media. Mukhtaran Mai is the woman, who in 2002 was gang-raped by many of the men in her village. I’ve been reading a little about it and I must say that it is one of those things that are driving me crazy, for so many varying reasons.
This is a touchy subject for many, but for me it really just infuriates me. I’ve never been to Pakistan, so I won’t boast in anyway that I know what it is like to live there, because I just don’t have a clue, however to me rape is rape and it should be dealt with appropriately. For the past couple of nights (for those of you who a) live in Canada and b) watch the news then this applies to you) on The National they have a little documentary on how women are being treated in Pakistan. I know when I say this a lot of people may possibly jump down my throat and state that I’m simply being brain washed by the “western” media but let’s face it, most countries have a sexism problem, and sadly poorer countries seem to have it bad in this area.
There are a few things that really get me going about this young woman’s case and they respectively are, that Mukhtaran’s life has been ruined, she deserves justice and that it has absolutely NOTHING to do with Islam. Basically there are hypocrites in every religion, those who bend certain things in their favor as a way to ease their conscience and as well as to sway others to agree. And most of the time there is a loyal band of gits. No religion is excluded from this truth, because like every religion Islam is followed by human beings, and we as a whole are generally weak things. We tend to bend to our desires, and we tend to screw the heck up quite a bit. But, that’s only to be expected with free will and all.
Anyway, so what really annoys, saddens and maddens me is that people automatically associate this horrible incident with Islam, what with Musharraf claiming to be Muslim and all (And hey, I’ll let Allah do the judging here, but people tend to speak for themselves) But it doesn’t help that loads of people think all Muslims and countries are filled with chauvinist pigs that illusion themselves with being “superior” to women. Who beat, rape, and treat them as slaves. Not saying it doesn’t happen, and I’m not saying certain people use their own warped interpretations to make their wrong, right but I will say that most…the vast majority aren’t such. Insha’Allah.
I think that if nothing is being done to uphold this woman’s honor in her own country then maybe it is important for others to get involved. I mean, we are talking about Mukhtaran’s respect, honor, and life here. It IS more then wrong, and woefully un-Islamic what has happened to not only her but others. Instead of bloody saying that these women are making up “rape” stories in order to flee their countries listen! And even if some are (and let it be known that I don’t think they are) making up such a story what the heck does it matter to them, Allah will be the Judge.
Before I get sidetracked the fact is that I look at these stories not only taking place in Pakistan, Afghanistan or where ever else and I can’t help but think that I’m useless. I often think about how we as a whole can do something to help. What can we do? Make noise? Get the story/stories out? They’re doing that already, but as Muslims what can we do to help, even if only in a little way.
I think we should keep all these people be it men, women, or children because they all endure sever trials around this world in our supplications after prayer. That may be a start, though I know many of you already do that.
I am lost. I truly am. We turn to Allah for truly it is He who is the only one who can do something but shouldn’t we do something too. It’s so overwhelming because there just seems to be so many bloody problems on earth. I mean, we can’t fix them all now can we? And that thought alone drives me crazy. I hate being cynical though most call that realism.
Probably if we each concentrated on one thing, be it dear sister Mukhtaran’s story or getting better care at a retirement facility we should do it. I will be the first to say that I’m selfish because in more ways then one I truly am. Everyone is, because we all have our own trials to bare, our own lessons to learn and grow from but does it mean that we should ignore other peoples? Maybe that’s where the problem started. Maybe it started with us simply being to self absorbed, and maybe one of the ways to come out of a trial is by helping others with theirs? Because maybe in the grand scheme of things are problems are all somewhat attached?
I don’t have an answer as to how we can free all the women, children and men who suffer at the hands of those who think they are superior. I really don’t, but maybe instead of being quite and letting things pass we should say something. I know that I get a lot of odd looks when I say that something should be said, because in everyone’s mind along with my own I think we think, “What’s the point”? And then we doubt our intentions and feel that it won’t make a difference. But perhaps it will, even if it’s the smallest of differences.
I sound idealistic, and it’s probably because I am, but idealism is truly a strong contributor to drive. The drive to make a difference when you still think you can, before you find out that it’s an uphill struggle. Before the hope you have harbored in likelihood that you can make a difference slips away as everyone else around you mocks, or doubts you. When we begin to doubt ourselves we begin to lose, and thus are replaced by this cold cynicism.
But then again maybe that cynicism is our defense, our fluffy pillows on which we fall when we realize the world isn’t what it seems. Who knows, but I do know that what happened to that woman, and what happens to others shouldn’t be something we simply sweep away under a rug hoping the dust will simply disappear. No, Allah condemns it and verily he is the best Judge’s and All Knowing. So then shouldn’t we?
Take care.
~Pink Gerbera~
P.S. After sleep my brain is still mushy but just won’t stop spinning its mushy wheels
4 Comments:
I read your blog. It was very ineresting. Especially the part about the donkeys and camels and how chinese people eat cockroaches. Keep up the good work sport.
:-)
Insha'Allah tomorrow i will actually sit down and read it, but right now, the light sabre is consuming every ounce of my attention, So peace,
Salam.
You choose the lightsaber bro over my blog. I'm all astonishment young one.
Salaam, very true about Makhtarah Mai. Very upsetting but she is brave to attempt to fight the status quo.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Yours is interesting and you have a really nice template!! :)
Wasalam Aisha!
Yes you are very right. Even though Makhtaran has been put through all of this she is strong and she is fighting! There is nothing more important then that.
I'm glad you like my template, :D and also that you stopped by. Thanks!
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