I'm a Muslim, ask me anything

[UnderBlue]

So I thought I'd join the bandwagon too! I'm a Muslim, and ask me anything. :)

(Please note: I'm very happy to answer questions about my beliefs and my experiences, but not interested in debating issues or bashing please. Please start your own thread if you want to do that. Thanks)

Also, please bear with me if I take a while to reply. I have pelvic pain today and a trip planned to the beach tomorrow, so apologies in advance if I take a while to reply. I will try my best :)

[HarryLovesDraco]

Is there a special occasion in early September? Trying to book flights to Morocco and they get more expensive after Eid into September and I can't work out why!

[Amrapaali]

Have you or your friends/family developed a defensiveness? Every time you hear of an attack, does the thought cross your mind "Please don't let it be an Islamist radical terrorist attack?"

Because I can see the Islamaphobes growing in number. And if I was a Muslim I would develop a massive chip on my shoulder

[FluctuatNecMergitur]

Hi UnderBlue, hope you're feeling better soon! I have a question about Ramadan. Presumably where it started in the Middle East even the longest day in midsummer the sun doesn't set that late. How does it work for Muslims in the far north of Europe where the sun might not set until eleven at night? I mean, I know they still fast, but is there any debate within Islam over how long people end up fasting fo as a result of geographyr?

[UnderBlue]

@HarryLovesDraco Thanks for the first question :) Eid al Adha is on the 21st/22nd of Aug, which is universally celebrated by Muslims. There is no major festivity after that. However, there is the Islamic new year which starts around the 11th of Sep, and around the 22nd of Sep is later, but these are usually low key occasions and spent with family.

However, I did a quick Google search and it may just be a bigger thing than I thought in Morocco, as it has its own page on Wikipedia:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashura_in_Morocco

My friends (both Muslim and non-Muslim) prefer to visit Morrocco in Sep due to the prices being cheaper than Aug, so perhaps this is raising the prices too? Best of luck with finding the right holiday!

[Takfujuimoto]

Where you born into a Muslim family and automatically raised that way or did you convert?

Are there any aspects of the religion that you are not at peace with?

[UnderBlue]

@Amrapaali

Have you or your friends/family developed a defensiveness? Every time you hear of an attack, does the thought cross your mind "Please don't let it be an Islamist radical terrorist attack?

I do get the dreaded feeling in my tummy (anxious pains) when I hear of any type of attack, and as well as praying for the victims and feeling said, I wish and pray: Please please don't let be a Muslim. This is because I am visibly Muslim, and when an attack happens, I am at higher risk of being verbally or physically abused (and even if I don't get verbal abuse, I do get nervous or mean 'looks'). This means that I feel scared late at night to use public transport for example, which hinders my work schedule/routine, and makes life harder for me. It also means my family feel worried about me too (very understandably). I'm just sharing this so you get an idea of the practical and emotional implications for essentially being blamed for something you had zero part in, and in fact, are working hard to eradicate (and I know many would say: with no recognition of that hard work from the government/media).

[Gesu]

Hey op! Fellow muslimah here!

[UnderBlue]

@FluctuatNecMergitur

How does it work for Muslims in the far north of Europe where the sun might not set until eleven at night? I mean, I know they still fast, but is there any debate within Islam over how long people end up fasting fo as a result of geographyr?

Hi, that is a really good question! :) Like many issues, I think there is some debate and differing opinions around it, with some scholars saying they can perhaps follow the times of other countries around them. I think there are some countries where the sun doesn't set (?), and as far as I am aware they follow the times of the country near them. This article may be of interest: www.express.co.uk/news/world/685123/fasting-ramadan-muslim-sun-set

[whoopsiedaisies]

Who do you pray so frequently, and why no nail varnish!

[HarryLovesDraco]

I didn't know about the new year. That's useful! Thanks

[UnderBlue]

@Takfujuimoto

Hi, thanks for your questions! :)

Where you born into a Muslim family and automatically raised that way or did you convert?

I was born into a Muslim family. I do however have some friends that have converted into the faith.

Are there any aspects of the religion that you are not at peace with?

No, none. There are some practices that some Muslims have adopted that I am not at peace with, but not with the religion itself. For example, say forced marriages, some Pakistani Muslims still think that's OK despite it being completely banned in our faith (and it doesn't make any sense!). Thankfully I have studied the faith for over 10 years and I know very clearly what my faith says and what it doesn't, so I am very easily able to distinguish between practices from our faith and practices that are cultural.

[UnderBlue]

@Gesu Hi :)

[Clairetree1]

do you cover your head? Do you cover your face?

[littlebillie]

I was reading that now more people are reading and interpreting the Qu'ran for them selves it will change on how people interpret the texts, for example the Jihad.

[Zaidacapetown]

Very good thread. Fellow muslim here as well (from South Africa) and your answers are so simple and understandable

[BartholinsSister]

Do you think angels are real?

[grasspigeons]

I work in a school with a small but significant number of muslim pupils.

Every year I think it would be nice to mark the end of ramadam someway for them, but what would be a good idea or would it be a bad idea?

[HappyGirl86]

What is your favourite aspect of your faith? What are you most proud of?

[UnderBlue]

@whoopsiedaisies

Who do you pray so frequently

Simple answer is because God asked us to :)
It's not easy praying 5 times a day (and you've reminded me I need to get off MN and pray the Maghreb prayer) but it gives me a HUGE sense of comfort and direction, and a few moments of solitude and peace (where I can happily ignore my toddler ). It is a bit like a 2-3 min meditation or mindfulness five times a day, where among other things, we thank God a lot for all the blessings he has given us. It also reminds me of my purpose of being on this earth, and to be the best person I can be, five times a day. For me, and I think for many others I know, it helps us be the best versions of ourselves. Does that answer the question?

and why no nail varnish!
Good question! Basically when we do wudhu (a washing ritual before each prayer), we have to ensure water reaches certain parts of the body, including our nails (regardless of the gender). As the standard nail varnish doesn't allow that, hence we can't use it when we need to pray. But I do have a bottle of nail varnish at my desk that is water permeable, and so is henna.

Also, women don't need to pray when they are on their period, as it gives us time to rest (and I so need that!). So some Muslim women do use nail varnish on the days of their period. Others use Henna all month round. I am too lazy to put either on!

[whiteroseredrose]

How do you feel about face coverings being banned?

[Opheliah]

Do you think the covering of hair or face expected of Muslim women is quite sexist?

[LaMainDeFatima]

Salems: Do you find that in your community there is a divide between (British) Arabs and Asians ?

[whoopsiedaisies]

@UnderBlue thank you!!

[UnderBlue]

@Clairetree1

do you cover your head?

Yes I cover my head when I am in public :) If I was being really honest, I would admit that it makes my life alot of easier on some mornings when I am rushing off to work and got a tonne of other stuff to do. It's nice not to have to worry about blow drying my hair perfectly (I still haven't quite mastered it yet properly - I'm more of a straightener girl). I also have different material scarves for winter and summer, and I've worn it since young, so to be honest, apart from making sure it is clean and ironed, I don't think about it much.

Do you cover your face?
I don't. However, I have friends who do, and I know they do it solely for God, to please him.

[NotLeanButMean]

Why do you think terrorists use your faith (which as I understand is inherently peaceful) to explain the atrocities they commit? Where did it come about?

It must sadden you greatly. After the terrorist attack outside the Mosque in London, me and toddler DD took some cakes to our local mosque for them to enjoy whilst they broke their fast that night. They were so appreciative and lovely, and said they got so much abuse on a daily basis. Really bloody awful, especially as (from my limited knowledge) I understand ISIS kill more Muslims than they do any other faith.

Thanks for the thread