F.A.Q's

Question's I'm frequently asked; along with some random info. Enjoy!

Are you with the Nation of Islam?
- No.

What kind of Muslim are you?
-Sunni

Were you born Muslim?
-No, I converted my sophomore year of college. (almost a year ago)

What make you convert to Islam?
- We talked about Islam in my African American Studies class and I read into it further.

Do you like being Muslim?
-Yes.

How does your family feel about it?
-I have very limited support from my family.

Is it easy converting?
-It was quite challenging for me due to my support system. I had to make a lot of life changes and I studied all day, every day because this was really something I had my heart set on.

Do you worship a different God?
-No. Allah is God, the one and only.

Do you believe in Jesus?
-Yes, I believe and respect Jesus, as a prophet.

Do you hate Christians?
-No. We just have different beliefs.

Do you go to mosque?
-I have not been yet. Insha'allah, I hope to go soon.

Do you speak Arabic?
-Not fluently. I know a lot of basic words and phrases, but Insha'allah I am looking to learn how to speak Arabic.

Do you pray five times a day?
-Yes

Was it hard giving up Pork?
-No. I eat more pasta and veggies than anything, but I didn't notice how many things I was eating that had pork in it.

Do you wear a hijab?
-I do. I will admit that lately I have not. I made a decision to go natural and I have been attending a lot of events with my family and they aren't accepting my hijab.. so to prevent conflict, I have been hijab-less.

What is the hardest part about being a Muslim?
-For me, it was going against my family and changing a lot of my old habits. It is still a struggle to this day, but I am fighting to stay strong.

Are you treated differently?
-Yes. I get a lot of stares, people don't want to be seen with me in public, people ignore me, I was even denied an application (smh).. but it's all good.

What do you enjoy about being a Muslim?
-I enjoy the support system I get from a lot of other Muslims. I just feel like I'm a part of a big loving family. I'm not told several different things from several different people confusing me, I don't feel judged, I just feel free!

**any other questions, feel free to post them**

Why such a Big Deal?

It really bothers me that people are bothered about me wearing "that thing on my head". That thing on my head is properly called a Hijab. In my opinion, there is nothing negative about a hijab. Many people have worn their own type of hijab and many still are today. Mary and other biblical figures wore a form of "hijab". Nuns wear certain clothes, dress modest and wear a form of "hijab". No one looks at a nun crazy or as being oppressed, so why do they look at muslimahs crazy and oppressed?

A hijab does not change the person underneath it, it just changes their physical appearance. I know it will take some getting used to for my family, friends and teachers, but why is it such a big deal? I will still be the silly, fun loving, smart, friendly girl that I was when people met me. I don't understand why others can't see that.

If you think about it, a hijab has the same effect as if I got in a car accident and lost a leg, if I was burned in a house fire, or if I dyed my hair pink or something. I am physically and somewhat mentally and emotionally changed, but it doesn't take away from the wonderful person that I am on the inside and the wonderful friend I've been for years. A hijab doesn't take away from my talents in art, poetry, computers or music. Hijab doesn't take away my goals and my passion in life to succeed. So why is it so controversial?

-- B. Alula [a proud hijabi]

Choices.

Today my mother sat me down for a serious talk about my decision to convert to Islam. She asked me was I really, honestly ready to be discriminated against and be a part of the minority on campus. She asked me if I was ready to lose my "friends"?

I have thought about all of these things, and I am ready. I feel as though I'm already discriminated against everyday because I'm black, I'm young, and I'm a female. So I'm sure you're thinking, being black is hard enough, why chose to be Muslim on top of that? Because I don't care! I have never cared what others have thought about me. People and friends come and go everyday and their opinions will stay the same regardless of my race, religion or sex, that's the sad truth about America. For this country to be so free, it's the most one minded and judgemental country and it angers me so much. I was born different and I will always be different, that is just me, and I'm proud of that.

If I lose friends, family members, and positions than so be it. These people obviously are one minded and they weren't real with me to begin with. No one should stop speaking to me because of my religion. I am the same person they met and got to know and become friends with way before I discovered Islam, just more mature and religious. I am the same little girl that they were praying for in the hospital 20 years ago to have a chance at life and to make it through my heart surgeries. I am the same co-worker, student, classmate and club member. Islam has not changed who I am in any negative way. I just look, speak, and act differently than I used to and in reality, no matter what religion, I was a sinner! I have nothing against Christianity, I tried Christianity, it just wasn't for me and that is my personal right and decision as a human being!

I should not have to chose between Allah, my family or my friends. My only choice should be Allah. In the end, it will be no one but he and I. My "friends" won't be there, my "family" won't be there, just I. I have to make decisions for myself and my faith and my happiness! If I was christian, my family would never question me and my decision. They would never make me chose between God and others, he would be the only answer. So I stand firm to my faith and my belief, even if I stand alone and I chose, ALLAH!

Subhan wa ta 'ala; Allahu akbar!!

-- B. Alula

Haters are Motivators

Today was another interesting opinionated day for me. I am aware that everyone in the world may not agree with my decision to become a muslim, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but there are certain ways this very opinionated person should have gone about it. There's this case going on in my state of these men being arrested for terrorism. So this individual stated to me that, "I would be arrested with the terrorist" and " I should be careful what I chose to believe and associate myself with". The comments were so ignorant and judgemental that I didn't even chose to comment. Then this individual preceded to say that "I don't know anything about muslims or being muslim". Still, I ignored the individual. Believe me it got me heated, but I saved it for my blog.

I am so glad that i am diverse. I am open to all people, and it's sad the rest of the world isn't and they chose to make ignorant comments about people and things they don't understand. There are so many types of muslims. All muslims aren't terrorist. All muslims cannot be blamed for the actions of 3-5 individuals. Islam is a religion of peace! Muslims aren't even the first group to perform acts of violence in the name of God or their religion. There were many religions before them. If you really want to get technical, look up some facts.. read a book!

I don't claim to know everything about Islam. I converted 5 months ago, but I have done more than enough research. I know as much as I need to know for my comfort and for me to have made a decision to convert. My head is always in a book! I am learning something new everyday about Islam, and luckily I have sisters (muslimahs) that are nice enough to help me out and give me words of advice as well as new material to research. I'm not sweating it though, because I'll let my haters be my motivators. I will prove them wrong and walk around a proud, educated, loving and peaceful Muslimah!

Allahu Akbar! [watch "30 days: muslims and america" located on the bottom of my page, also found on youtube and hulu]

subscribe and read: http://minoritysurvival.blogspot.com/2009/08/confusion.html

-- B. Alula