Re: Living in a non-Muslim Country can be seen as a test of faith
Paki Pride, the above are good answers, should be pretty clear-cut. Adhering to the Islaamic faith in many ways conflicts with the lifestyle of the west. Things that are accepted as normal and routine in the west are not accepted in Islaamic countries. So when you come from an Islaamic country to settle in a western country, its only natural to want to "fit in" and do as the romans do as they say. This can be a test of faith when doing what everyone else does goes against the teachings of Islaam. You cant go out with the guys after work and have a couple of beers, alcohol is forbidden. You COULD have pepsi while the others have their beers but that would likely be uncomfortable. So you either dont do it all or you join in. The women dont cover themselves nearly like they would in an islaamic country - not that all the women dress like hoes but its unusual to see a woman all covered up over here. So- the thing is do you cover yourself all up and therefore call MORE attention to yourself - OR do you wear modest western clothing? Theres no separation of the sexes here, from pre-k onward boys and girls interact and attend school together. When you live in the west, if you attempt to separate your children and keep them away from the opposite sex, you'll raise angry and resentful kids. WHen christmas comes, the very vast majority of children have christmas trees and a visit from santa claus and all come back from vacation talking about the toys that santa brought them. So you ignore this? Tell your kids that santa doesnt exist, your kids relay that to their little school friends and voila, they're outcast. So temptation and wanting to fit in are natural things, its a test of faith to see how far you go and what you do within the limits of the religion. Its most especially hard on parents. We had a visit from a desi family with a 3 year old boy in the midst of the August heat. The boy went out food shopping with us and when he saw a woman in a tank-top, he started yelling, "LOOK Ammi, shes NAKED!! We have to SHOOT her!!". OMG! that type of attitude needs to be adjusted if the child is to get along here....
good post.