Truly grateful for today's experiences...Our agenda today included a talk with Wali Khan, a
panel of students, attending a prayer service at a mosque, a talk with two Muslim women
educators, and a Turkish meal. Wow! As I have everyday so far, I left inspired, educated, and
exhausted.
panel of students, attending a prayer service at a mosque, a talk with two Muslim women
educators, and a Turkish meal. Wow! As I have everyday so far, I left inspired, educated, and
exhausted.
Wali Khan's talk was not only educational but also inspiring. He shared his experience of
growing up Muslim. Wali shared that while he understood the Islam faith, attended a mosque
with his family, and completed obligatory prayers five times daily, it wasn't until the summer
before leaving for college that he began to embrace being a Muslim. Wali shared his personal
awakening to his faith that led to him following the 5 pillars of Muslim faith: Shada, Sala,
Sawm, Zakah, and Hajj. He broke the 5 pillars down in this way:
growing up Muslim. Wali shared that while he understood the Islam faith, attended a mosque
with his family, and completed obligatory prayers five times daily, it wasn't until the summer
before leaving for college that he began to embrace being a Muslim. Wali shared his personal
awakening to his faith that led to him following the 5 pillars of Muslim faith: Shada, Sala,
Sawm, Zakah, and Hajj. He broke the 5 pillars down in this way:
- Shada: God +belief that Muhammad is the last prophet
- Salah (Prayer): pray 5 times a day
- Sawm (Fasting): required to fast in the month of Ramadan from dawn to sunset; not
- Zakah (Charity/Alms): 2.5% of savings, give to those in your family, then community,
- Hajj (Pilgrimage) This is a major pilgrimage to Mecca, the place of Muhammad's birth,
have a sane mind (can’t understand), aren't imprisoned, and are mature.
As Wali shared the story of his life, it was clear how his work as a trauma nurse was intertwined with his faith. He shared his belief that he doesn'’t control life but is rather doing the work of God. Wali shared “prayer is soul food” which allows him to have honest conversations with God. During these conversations he talks with God about the things he can’t control, expresses his gratitude, and also allows himself to escape the monotony of this world. Wali shared that Sawm allows Muslims to give something up for God which allows them a closer proximity to him. Muslims belief that wealth is not ours to begin with so one shouldn't be stingy. Zakah is believed to actually be a test from God.
After listening to Wali's inspirational speech, a panel of students from Naperville Central
shared their experiences on growing up Muslim in Naperville. Some of their insightful
statements included being Muslim means: "one who submits to the will of God", "a man can’t
have two hearts in his chest", and that actions are based on intentions, "whatever he intends
is, he will be rewarded as such". They shared that being a Muslim is both religious/cultural,
part of their identify, and means representing themselves as a good person. When asked to
expand upon what being a good person/Muslim meant, the students shared that to them it
meant having a moral compass by contributing to the community by serving. When asked
"what do you want teachers to know?", they shared a better understanding/awareness of
Muslim hoilidays, particularly Ramadan and the behavior of fasting which occurs from
predawn to after the sun sets and includes no water or food for students mature enough
(ie. puberty). They also shared that it's important to know that Islam follows a lunar calendar.
One of the students shared how she wore a hijab during her elementary and junior high years
but that once entering highschool, felt like didn't want to come to school any more because
of being singled out because of her wearing a hijab. This same student also shared that
wearing a hijab doesn't necessarily mean one is more religious or devout. For this student,
she became more religious later in her high school years during a time she was no longer
wearing her hijab. The students shared experiencing negative comments in both middle and
high school by other students. Fortunately, it never escalated beyond comments.
shared their experiences on growing up Muslim in Naperville. Some of their insightful
statements included being Muslim means: "one who submits to the will of God", "a man can’t
have two hearts in his chest", and that actions are based on intentions, "whatever he intends
is, he will be rewarded as such". They shared that being a Muslim is both religious/cultural,
part of their identify, and means representing themselves as a good person. When asked to
expand upon what being a good person/Muslim meant, the students shared that to them it
meant having a moral compass by contributing to the community by serving. When asked
"what do you want teachers to know?", they shared a better understanding/awareness of
Muslim hoilidays, particularly Ramadan and the behavior of fasting which occurs from
predawn to after the sun sets and includes no water or food for students mature enough
(ie. puberty). They also shared that it's important to know that Islam follows a lunar calendar.
One of the students shared how she wore a hijab during her elementary and junior high years
but that once entering highschool, felt like didn't want to come to school any more because
of being singled out because of her wearing a hijab. This same student also shared that
wearing a hijab doesn't necessarily mean one is more religious or devout. For this student,
she became more religious later in her high school years during a time she was no longer
wearing her hijab. The students shared experiencing negative comments in both middle and
high school by other students. Fortunately, it never escalated beyond comments.
After the student panel shared their experiences, we headed to the Turkish American Center
of Chicago in Mount Prospect. We were immediately welcomed by member of their
community with Turkish delights, Turkish coffee, and a beautiful demonstration of water
marbling.
of Chicago in Mount Prospect. We were immediately welcomed by member of their
community with Turkish delights, Turkish coffee, and a beautiful demonstration of water
marbling.
Shortly after that, we were invited to observe the prayer service in the mosque. We took off
our shoes and covered our heads in respect and then were led through the womans section
into the main prayer hall where we were given seats. The prayer service was captivating to
watch. Men crowded into the prayer hall and quick welcomes to one another, they began to
pray engaging in various postures. Prayer moved from standing with bowed heads to kneeling
with hands on knees to placing their forheads to the floor. What I found most impressive was
that as the men engaged in their prayers, some of the young children climbed on their father's
back and over their heads. These men were so focused on prayer that they never visibly
acknowledged it. In between the prayers, passages of the Qur'an were recited. Throughout
the entire service, the men worshipped in the main prayer hall and the women worshipped in a screened off area in the back of the prayer hall.
our shoes and covered our heads in respect and then were led through the womans section
into the main prayer hall where we were given seats. The prayer service was captivating to
watch. Men crowded into the prayer hall and quick welcomes to one another, they began to
pray engaging in various postures. Prayer moved from standing with bowed heads to kneeling
with hands on knees to placing their forheads to the floor. What I found most impressive was
that as the men engaged in their prayers, some of the young children climbed on their father's
back and over their heads. These men were so focused on prayer that they never visibly
acknowledged it. In between the prayers, passages of the Qur'an were recited. Throughout
the entire service, the men worshipped in the main prayer hall and the women worshipped in a screened off area in the back of the prayer hall.
After the prayer service, the members of the community offered us an an amazing meal to share with them. After the meal, two Muslim women who are also educators shared how we as fellow educators could help some of our Muslim students. They suggested identifying a space for the student to pray if requested as well as the impact of fasting and the change to the sleep cycle that we might notice during Ramadan.
After their presentation, we were offered an opportunity to ask questions about the Mosque and the Muslim faith. As a woman, I was particularly curious about hi jab and the reason for the separation of the women from the men. One of the Muslim women who was wearing a hi jab explained that the reason for the hi jab was of modesty so as not to distract one from worshipping God. She stated that it was generally up to the woman to decide if she wanted to wear a hi jab and if so to what level. When I asked about the separation from the men, she explained that during prayer some of the postures put women into compromising positions. Being in the back and/or screened off from the men provided one another more modesty and allowed one to be focused solely on worshiping God.
I left the Turkish American Center with a much better understanding of the Muslim faith and practices. I am so appreciative for the opportunity to have learned more. It is difficult to determine whether it's the Muslim faith, their behavior, or their sense of belonging is most prominent as they are clearly so intertwined. I guess I'd say their behavior stood out to me as being the most prominent as well as appeared to have the largest impact on their identity.
I can only imagine the amount of will power and dedication, it must take to fast during Ramadan, say their prayers five times daily, and well as to wear a hi jab.
Thank you to all who helped me to become more literate on what being a Muslim means.
I can only imagine the amount of will power and dedication, it must take to fast during Ramadan, say their prayers five times daily, and well as to wear a hi jab.
Thank you to all who helped me to become more literate on what being a Muslim means.
Becky
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