Thank you. I am a
great believer in dialogue even if I may not agree with someone's
else's view point. At the same time, while living in Canada I
strongly feel that, we should actively seek to interact with the
main stream society. Such interactions are the only means to let
others know what we Muslims can bring to the table, so that we are
not stereo-typed as "terrorists" and "backward" beings.
I personally think
that women from our part of the world have a lot to contribute back
home and in this adopted home of ours and at the same time retain
the excellent values of our culture and religion. We, as Muslim
women, have nothing to feel inferior about and can demonstrate to
the world that we CAN & DO play a very effective role inspite of
negative myths about rights of Muslim women. I am very proud of my
up bringing ,though religious, which taught me the proper values of
Islam - that is , not only to me mindful of my duties to Allah but
of my responsibilities to humankind as well. It also impressed upon
me my rights as a human being and Muslim woman.
Whenever I interact
with someone , specially from another faith, I hope and endeavor to
impress upon them (by my actions) the very positive nature of Islam
and I am very conscious of this responsibility. I also try to pass
on this message to the Muslim kids. I hope we can have a seminar one
day, specially for the younger generation , that will impart the
true values of Islam. Possibly this can be food for thought for the
organizers.
PS I hope my earlier
note , praising Najeeb's & Tariq's papers, will not be mis-construed
as a mutual admiration club, because I wrote that before I read this
mail. Haha -----
December 12, 2005