Insha Allah everyone had a blessed Ramadhan and Eid Al-Fitr.
Eid parties at the masjid are usually pretty interesting for me, but this year some local Muslims got together and had an Eid party at a fire hall.
One long table was for the men and another one was reserved for the women and children.
I ended up sitting next to two elderly Pakistani ladies. One spoke English, but the other did not - she could only understand English. I have seen these ladies before, but never had much of a conversation with them other than to greet them with salaams. This time, however, we had an opportunity to chat: The conversation went something like this:
Pakistani Sister #1: Are you Arab?
Me: No.
Pakistani Sister #2 - Says something in Urdu to the other sister.
Pakistani Sister #1: She says you look Arab.
Me: No. I came to Islam from Judaism. Even some of the Arabs think I am an Arab. When they see me on the street, they speak to me in Arabic.
Pakistani Sister #1: (Pointing to my clothing) You dress like an Arab.
Me: Nope. I'm American.
Pakistani Sister #1: Your husband's an Arab?
Me: No. He's an American, too.
(Both Pakistani sisters look at each other ... hmmm)
Pakistani Sister #1: Where did he come here from?
Me: He was born here. He's African-American. That's him over there. (I point his direction.)
(Both sisters really look at each other now, lol. They decide to change the topic.)
Pakistani Sister #2 - Running her fingers up and down her arms.
Pakistanti Sisters #1 - (Pointing to my bangles) Your jewelry is even like the Arabs.
Me: Well, I guess us American sisters learn fast!
All three of us sisters have a hearty laugh and agree!
5 comments:
Salam alaikum
great post!
nice bangles !!
Thanks! Hubby usually buys them for me for Eid gifts, Alhamdulillah.
It's sad but i have seen some nationalities go OUT OF THERE WAY to NOT practice certain parts of Islam (proper hijab) because they deemed it cultural. On the flip many Arabs don't know the difference between their deen and their culture either and will tell you that as an American you don't have to do such and such. Also, once out of their element they will no longer do such and such.
The bangles also look very Indian to me. ;) (In Singapore, where I live, these types of bangles are frequently sold in the Little India neighborhood.)
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