Al-Istiqamah: Do
you think that Muslim women are more likely to be when walking
alone as compared to when accompanied by their husbands?
Umm Ruqayya: I've never had anyone
say something to us directly in the presence of my husband.
At the most, it was a muttered comment as we passed by. They
see Muslim women in hijab and especially in niqab as an easy
target. It's cowardly.
Another time we were trying to get two pushchairs
onto the bus. Another woman came along and there wasn't space
for her pushchair. She became very abusive towards me and
again, it was my faith that was singled out. She looked at
me and said "I suppose you've got a bomb in there."
Al-Istiqamah: Did
anyone come to your aid?
Umm Ruqayya: Yes, this time I was
fortunate as there were a group of Muslim boys on the bus.
They started shouting at this woman: "You've got
no right to say that. You're racist." She retorted
"I didn't say anything about anybody's race."
We are now a legitimate target. We are no longer described
as a race, as Muslims come from all different races. It's
open season on Muslims now.
Al-Istiqamah: Although
not every Jew is a Semite, any attack on the Jewish faith
is labelled "anti-Semitism" and Islamophobia isn't
recognised in the way anti-Semitism is.
Umm Ruqayya: No it isn't, but it's
real and it's happening. It's become politically incorrect
to be racist. It's not politically incorrect to be Islamaphobic
and I wonder when that's going to change. The average British
person has heard more about Islam in recent years but it's
not necessarily a correct interpretation that they've been
exposed to. Before, they didn't know what a Muslim was. Now
they 'know' all Muslims are terrorists.
Al-Istiqamah: As
a mother, how did you feel about your daughter witnessing
such a scene?
Umm Ruqayya: I was worried about
the effect on my daughter because when I was growing up in
London, I didn't feel that Islam was something to be persecuted
for. And the long-term effects on our children are something
that we have to consider. Some people say to me "tell
her not to wear hijab." That's not a solution. We will
be identifiable, as Allah (SWT) tells us in the Qur'an that
they will not be pleased with us until they make us turn back
on our religion.
Al-Istiqamah: Even
if we weren't identifiable as Muslims, then they attack our
skin colour.
Umm Ruqayya: Yes; we can't do a Michael
Jackson. Even if we did, no one would be fooled. The answer
is in not staying silent. Not to be aggressive, but if you
are treated like this, then stand up for yourself. Some people
say that it isn't right for Muslim women to speak out and
it puts them in danger. I'm already in a position of danger,
just by going out. There was persecution at the time of the
Prophet (SAW), Hadrat Bilal (RA) for example. They defended
their faith.
Al-Istiqamah: If
people make derogatory comments about Muslim women or children
and receive little resistance, it gives them the confidence
to continue unabated.
Umm Ruqayya: Exactly. That's the
attitude of our parent's generation who immigrated: "Don't
make a fuss; we're living in their country as new immigrants…"
I didn't immigrate anywhere. I didn't choose to be born here,
but I've been through the same systems as these people and
I don't expect to be treated any differently.
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