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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I probably am, re: dad lots of issues.(sorry long)

43 replies

brighteyedbusytailed · 28/08/2012 13:26

I'm going to try and be detailed without giving away too much detail which may be tricky so bear with me please, its not a black and white AIBU but I feel quite lost and fragile.
My parents are separated, we were a non-religious white family, my DF then after meeting some people converted to Islam which in itself isn't horrendous. but I was a teen at the time this was just after 9/11 which made it horrendous, I grew up in a pit village and was terrified for my safety in-case anyone found out.
.The worst thing is that he constantly shoves his religious opinions down peoples throats and sermons people does not or chooses not to pick up on how uncomfortable he makes people.
.He uses this as an excuse to not acknowledge birthdays etc my birthday hasn't been acknowledged for over 10 years.but gets annoyed if he is excluded for events , and picks and chooses I.e he will come to the party/meal but no card.
.my ds birthday's have never been acknowledged and last year he 'Accidentally' forgot his birthday was on that day and booked a trip away for that day , no happy birthday nothing.
.He asks how I'm doing but makes it very clear hes not interested and is talks endlessly about religion. If you don't appear interested he can become quite unpleasant. he sees his duty to spread the message.
.He really smells he lives by himself and I think struggles to look after himself , and often looks scruffy. As awful as it sounds its embarrassing in social situations.He never smelt this bad as I was growing up.
.Will visit for like about 6 hours at a time which is quite draining for me and expect tea regularly.
. He's very into conspiracies and very paranoid.
.He can be very arsy with my mum I have now made a personal 'no socializing with them both' rule.my mother is no angel she gets ratty but he goads her and doesn't
care where we are.

The reason I am posting here now is because I am getting married and have my own place he comes to visit.
He went out with my OH and when he was here and my BIL came here he literally hounded the bloke for hours and hours I rescued him in the end as I tried to make change the subject a lot but it didn't work.
. I am scared people will avoid us because of his behaviour, if my life was destroyed by a choice he made I would find it difficult to forgive.
. He has experienced some exclusion from other people so I feel bad but at the same time he brings it on himself.
.I will spend my entire wedding being stressed at to whether or not he is going to be really anti social or embarrass me , so instead of the biggest day of my life I will be a nervous wreck.
. I suffer from anxiety which obviously was exasperated by my unusual circumstances.

AIBU to ask him to tone it down a bit? and how would I go about it.??

OP posts:
brighteyedbusytailed · 28/08/2012 13:27

If you've read all that thanks lol

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SlightlySuperiorPeasant · 28/08/2012 13:41

He sounds like a fanatic and I would not be inviting him.

diddl · 28/08/2012 13:45

He won´t tone it down, will he?

He doesn´t seem to care about anyone else tbh.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 28/08/2012 13:48

My muslim DS has just celebrated his birthday with DH's family in a country where 90%+ of the population are muslim. He even had a birthday cake.

I would have to say that this sounds almost like a MH problem. Obsessional behaviour, failure to look after his personal hygiene etc.

I know many very religious people from a number of religious traditions and none of them talk obsessively about religion. They may make reference to it, they may ask if you are interested in learning more but they don't ram it down your throat.

brighteyedbusytailed · 28/08/2012 13:50

Hmmm I have always suspected MH may play a part.

it was truly awful the other day, my In laws are going to think goodness knows what of me :(

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brighteyedbusytailed · 28/08/2012 13:56

Would I be unreasonable to add as a side note, next time he visits to ask him to not bring religion up.

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ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 28/08/2012 13:59

You can try but I don't know if it will work.

You aren't responsible for your parents and your in-laws should base their views on who you are rather than on the behaviour of your father.

brighteyedbusytailed · 28/08/2012 14:14

I know i just it so humiliating and people do judge

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brighteyedbusytailed · 28/08/2012 14:47

In the past when I have broached the subject he becomes very defensive and almost does it more.
I am terrified of allowing speeches as he no doubt will waffle on about religion and humiliate me.
He acts very pitifully if I tell him off.

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SoleSource · 28/08/2012 14:50

A fanatical fantasist. I wish religion ceased to exist. Can you speak to your GP about him?

brighteyedbusytailed · 28/08/2012 14:53

I'm not sure what good it would do, what would they do If I did??

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brighteyedbusytailed · 28/08/2012 14:54

There is part of me which wonders how much is MH or he really is rude, but then again why would anyone choose to be like that.

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KenLeeeeeee · 28/08/2012 14:55

Does he have any other relatives you could speak to? Parents or siblings maybe? Perhaps they could nag him into better personal hygiene and also about being more diplomatic about his religious views.

JumpingThroughMoreHoops · 28/08/2012 15:00

TBH when people find religion later in life, as opposed to growing up with it, they tend to go all evangelical about it and think everyone else should share in their elightenment.

I wasn't aware Islam didn't do birthdays and anniversaries though - I don't believe that for one second seeing the office is awash with cake on birthdays and everyone either brings or eats them! That must be a personal choice thing.

Regarding the personal hygine thing - you might like to have a read of this, print it, and give him a copy Wink and a bar of soap

islamic-world.net/sister/h20.htm

In Islam the Arabic term for purity is Taharah. Books of Islamic jurisprudence often contain an entire chapter with Taharah as a heading. Allah orders the believer to be tidy in appearance:

"Keep your clothes clean." (74:4)

The Qur'an insists that the believer maintain a constant state of purity:

"Believers! When you prepare for prayer wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; rub your heads (with water) and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. If you are ritually impure bathe your whole body." (5: 6)

With regards to your ILs perhaps a little bending of the truth if you think he has MH issues? Could that not become a mild early onset form of dementia? cough that would explain odd behaviour whilst making everybody empathetic towards you.

Is it a church wedding? Because if he goes off on one about that - remember Jesus is a prophet in Islam.

You might like to remind him the Mohammed was a Christian before having his own enlightenment. And that Mohammed, when persecuted, sent his followers to Abyssinia (which I think is now Ethiopia) where they were granted sanctuary by the Christian Abyssinian King. So it's all jolly friendly!

NarkedRaspberry · 28/08/2012 15:05

It sounds like he may have found religion because of his issues rather than the issues being a result of his religion IYSWIM.

Everything you've said, even the timing of his conversion, shouts mental health issues to me.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 28/08/2012 15:13

If you really don't want him to come to your wedding, then just point out that it will be a Christian or civil ceremony and not a muslim one, so you know he won't want to come, and you quite understand. He can hardly then turn round and come can he, given his religion is his excuse for not doing other things.

brighteyedbusytailed · 28/08/2012 16:24

I thought he would refuse to walk me down, but has decided he wants to be a part, I would hate to uninvited him from the wedding, but at the same time I don't wanna spend the whole day on edge.

Its not just that its just in general. a few of his siblings keep their distance from him as hes so fanatical, If anyone challenges him he gets so defensive and then gets like pitiful to try and get sympathy.

Has anyone had anyone like this in their family??.

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TherapeuticVino · 28/08/2012 17:31

I really feel for you. My SF found religion after a major health scare and is totally obsessive - he spends hours and hours a day reading the bible and trying to convert people.

I have no advice other than to lay down the law to him about how you want your day to be and that means NO religious talk, but I know how hard that will be. The point above re it's not muslim wedding is a good one.
Huge sympathy though.

GailTheGoldfish · 28/08/2012 17:53

Perhaps you could forewarn people - explain to ILs and friends that he is quite full on or if you choose tell people you trust that you feel he may have MH issues. That way they will be prepared and be able to deal with any situations that arise better. They will also be able to support you, please don't let the thought of what might happen ruin the day as anyone who is coming to your wedding should love and support you and they won't hold this against you.

WhereYouLeftIt · 28/08/2012 18:06

Brighteyed, sorry to say this but you do seem very passive towards your father's behaviour. How about when he goes all evangelical on someone, you tell him firmly to stop it or leave? And also ask why he smells? It seems to me that there's a great deal of pussyfooting going on around this man, and I can't see any good reason for that. He does not appear to get aggressive or violent, just defensive and pitiful/sympathy-seeking.

It really is time to conduct this relationship on your terms. You may be his daughter, but you are no longer his child - you are an adult, and that changes the relationship. If he ignores a birthday, pull him up on it. If he tries to outstay his welcome (6 hours? really?) tell him it's time for him to be going now. And stop supplying tea.

thegreylady · 28/08/2012 18:12

My D's and his Turkish wife and his dd live in Turkey-a Muslim country and birthdays are always celebrated.

brighteyedbusytailed · 28/08/2012 18:32

You are right whereyouleftit , I am disappointed that I could not be the firm one in my home when he was making people uncomfortable.
I am thinking of phrases I can use that are simple and concise that do not allow manipulation.

I am intrigued how the smell question would go down Grin.

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WhereYouLeftIt · 28/08/2012 18:57

How about -

Him :
You : Dad, you're making uncomfortable. S/he is here to visit me, not to be converted. If you really need to find someone to convert, go get a soapbox and hit the High Street.

You : Have you put on the wrong clothes today? They smell as if they've come from the washing basket instead of the wardrobe.
Him :
You : You need to launder your clothes more. Or do you like smelling so unsavoury?

Even if he tries to pull you up for being rude, the standard response is just "It may be a little rude but it is nonetheless true; and telling me it's rude does not distract me from the matter in hand." And then repeat whatever you said to him about making people uncomfortable/smelling etc. Grin

At the moment he seems to be the one in control of the interactions. Put a stop to that, YOU take control.

aamia · 28/08/2012 19:08

As others have said, Muslims celebrate birthdays (or at least all the ones I've known have, and I've taught a fair few (always lovely) Muslim children!). He's using the religion thing as an excuse and possibly as a crutch for his mental health issues. I'd find a way not to invite tbh.

Roseformeplease · 28/08/2012 19:13

My mother is a mad, vile alcoholic. She behaved appallingly at my wedding. However, I barely noticed as everyone kept her away from me. I then returned the favour at subsequent family weddings. You will not be judged by anyone on your Dad's behaviour at all.

Could you seek help for him via his local mosque / immam?