An Introduction to Islam, Part One

Note: While reading this post, remember that I am not Muslim, and I am far from being an expert on Islam. Please tell me if there is anything that is incorrect, and I apologize for any mistakes I may have made.

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Islam is an incredibly intricate and interesting religion, but unfortunately one of the most misunderstood. The teachings of Islam are very different from what many people may think- Islam is a religion of peace, not hate. Here I will have to take a moment to bring in some Arabic to support this. Don’t worry, this relates- wait for it! In Arabic, all words are made up of a root- a group of generally three consonants that provide a clue to the meaning of the word. Words with the same root have similar meanings. In the case of Islam, the root is the same as the word for peace: salaam. The word “Islam” does not have an official translation, but this shows that the meaning of Islam is very similar to “peace”. Maybe it’s just because of my fascination with Arabic, but I found this very interesting! 

Even before I came to Oman or even began dreaming about studying abroad, I had an unexplainable interest in Islam. I remember taking book after book out from the library in the sixth grade about the pillars of Islam and the teachings of the Qur’an. However, only since I came to Oman did my knowledge of the religion which approximately one quarter of the world’s population believes in began to expand. Reading about Islam and talking to Muslims about their faith has been incredibly enlightening. Islam shares many of the beliefs of Judaism and Christianity; in fact, the followers both of these religions are mentioned in the Qur’an as “people of the Book”. Along with Christianity and Judaism, Islam is a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion. The three faiths share many of the same influential figures, such as Moses, Abraham, and Jesus, to name a few. The main difference between them is that Islam recognizes Muhammad as the last messenger of God, and the Qur’an as its holy book. Islam is a widely practiced faith, with many lessons for believers and non-believers alike.

While I cannot go into depth in regards to the teachings of the Qur’an, there are a few passages that I want to share. When I first began to tell my classmates that I was going abroad to Oman, most of them told me not to get killed. While this was usually said in jest, I began to realize that many people equated Muslims with terrorists. In recent years, Islam has come to be equated with terrorism, though this couldn’t be further from the truth. Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, said about the September 11^th attacks: “Not only did the terrorists hijack planes and destroy life, but they also hijacked the peaceful religion of Islam and split the brother and sisterhood of mankind.” The biggest misconception about Islam is that it promotes the killing of innocent people. In reality, the Qur’an emphasizes the sanctity of life, and even goes as far as to equate one life with all of humanity in Surah Al-Maeda: “…if any one slew a person – unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land – it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.” (Al- Quran 5:32). The Qur’an explicitly forbids the taking of human life in Surah Al-An’am: “…take not life, which God hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom.” Terrorism is not a teaching of Islam, and cannot be excused using the Qur’an. The killing of innocent people is not permissible. If people heard this passages, rather than the messages the media promotes, Islam would be more understood and accepted.

 

 

Deans, Edexcel, and Cambridge! Oh my!

Oh, school, beloved school. You’re always so fun to navigate, especially in a new country! I hope you caught the sarcasm, as there certainly was a lot. School is different in every country, and sometimes these differences can be difficult to adapt to. Fortunately, I have not found this all too difficult, but I have had challenges nonetheless!

In Oman, I go to Azzan Bin Qais International School (ABQ), which is a reputable international school located near my home. At ABQ, I am taking the normal junior year subjects of mathematics, English, physics, and Art. However, being located in Oman results in a few extra classes which I couldn’t have taken in my American high school. In addition to the subjects I mentioned above, I am also taking Business Studies in school, as well as Arabic and Middle Eastern History out of school. Out of all these classes, Arabic is certainly my favorite!

In the Gulf countries, as well as much of the Middle East, the school week in Sunday through Thursday. In the Islamic faith, there is a special prayer and sermon on Fridays, which results in the weekend falling always on Friday.  Having a different weekend was a strange feeling earlier this year, but I have gotten so used to it that going back to the US and a Monday-Friday school week will be disorienting.

My school is very strict when it comes to uniform. For the lower grades, the uniform is a polo shirt and grey pants, and for the upper grades, it differs by gender. As girls, we have to wear a grey dress, or pants/skirt and tunic, with a white collared shirt under it. For boys, the uniform is a white collared shirt and grey pants. Hijab, or lhaaf in Omani Arabic, must be white or grey. Demerits are given out to anyone who deviates from this dress code.

As for the schedule, school officially begins at 7:40am with a full-school assembly. During this time, we all sing the national anthem of Oman and hear a recitation from the Qur’an, as well as a hadith, or saying of the Prophet Muhammed. After that, we return to our homerooms to take attendance and listen to the daily notices.  A school day consists of nine 40-minute blocks, with two breaks for snack and lunch, and ends at 2:40pm. I take only four subjects, and as a result spend a great deal of my time in the school library. Free blocks can be boring, but I use them as a time to study Arabic and get ahead in the textbook.

I am taking the bilingual Thanaweya track, which was designed by the Omani Ministry of Education, but Quinn, the other YES Abroad student in grade 11 at ABQ, is in the AS class. I too was in AS earlier this year, but decided to switch classes at the turn of the semester. Switching to Thanaweya was the best decision I have made this year.

Attending ABQ has resulted in more learning than just the facts found in the books that I study day after day; it has taught me to be more self-reliant and independent. I have made new friends and been forced to stand up for my beliefs, even if others disagree. 

School is a major part of my life, and, while it has provided me with its share of challenges, I am now very happy with my life here in Oman, school included. 

Islam and Music

Though there are no verses in the Qur’an referring to the permissibility of music, Islamic scholars are divided on this subject. Some assert that all music except nasheed (religious music) is haram, or forbidden, to Muslims.  Some scholars and Muslims believe that music haram, others believe that music is permissible is it is not written about haram topics (such as partying or drinking), some believe that music is permissible if it is not used for or leads to sinful activities, and still others believe that music is completely permissible, or halal. Though scholars will probably never reach a consensus regarding this issue, it is interesting to look into various people’s beliefs. My host mother has told me that she things music is only haram if it is distracting you from prayer or other obligations. 

One verse which is referenced by those arguing that music is not permitted in Islam is the following verse, which shows that it is not right for someone to decide whether or not something is halal or haram unless it was specifically mentioned in the Qur’an as such. 

Say “Do you see that which God has provided for you, you make some of it Unlawful (Haram) and some of it Lawful (Halal)?” Say “Did God allow you to do this? Or do you tell lies about God?” 
QURAN, 10:59

However, the one type of music all Muslims will agree is halal is nasheed, or religious music. Often sung in Arabic a cappella, nasheed are religious songs about the prophets or God, somewhat similar to hymns in the Christian faith.

I love Arabic music, so I have been listening to a lot of it since arriving in Oman. I have heard about the disagreement over music’s permissability in the past, and decided to listen to nasheed! Here are my top ten favorite nasheed songs. I hope you enjoy them! I’m sorry for not being able to directly put the videos into my post; I’m not completely WordPress literate yet! 

1. “Qasidah Burdah” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsoAOOFyQc8

2. “La Ilaha Illallah” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS_2MIWTiKA

3. “Wipe Your Tears” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl6wx0i4FTk

4. “As-Sabru Nuur” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5djzzD7jdY

5. “Don’t Be Sad”  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeD3ppZxBZk

6. “Be-Islami” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZbbZFR3pqM

7. “Taweel Al-Shawq (Long Longing)” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIOifJ7Gruc

8. “Taballah” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQnh-y9z4oE

9. “Don’t Be Sad” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3o2v7qsMgs

10. “Farshy Al-Turab” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8gNjCSkk7o

How to Crash A First Birthday Party

Note: This post is very late; I wrote it back in September but never got around to posting it. Recently I found it again and, after a few edits, thought it was blog-worthy! I hope you like it!
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The village in which Talya and I live is extremely isolated, small, and traditional. While this can be bothersome when trying to get places, we both learned why this can also be an incredible advantage.

That afternoon, as our host mother and sisters were sleeping, our host father and brother were getting ready to go out, Talya was sitting upstairs in our room, and I was downstairs making myself a cup of coffee, I suddenly heard drums, bagpipes, and singing coming from outside. My first thought was that someone was playing their music from their car really, really loudly, but then I heard women cheering and clapping. It was only then that it hit me: there must actually be people singing and playing music out on our road! I tried to see what was happening from our front porch, but to no avail. Even hearing other people was incredibly surprising for me; my town is very quiet and empty most of the time. I went outside and looked out the gate, and, much to my surprise, saw a horde of at least fifty people walking up our street, dancing, singing, and playing music. Gone were the plain black abayas and shaylas which are usually the garment of choice of Omani women- almost all of the women were wearing vibrantly colored dresses with matching scarves. Dresses of saffron yellow, bright pink, rich green, ruby red, with sequins adorning the neckline and sleeves. Little girls of only six or seven wore the traditional outfit of pants with tunics, also brightly colored and embellished. Both adults and children had gold necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings, and everyone seemed to be in a fun mood. I ran back inside to tell Talya, who rushed downstairs and outside. Once we saw the people, we were conflicted; do we follow them, or watch from our gate? In the end, we decided to follow them, and I am so glad we did!

At the top of our village are bathhouses, along with places to sit. Usually they are almost empty, with the exception of a few people. However, more people than we have even seen in our entire town were there. Men in their twenties were washing and waxing their cars, or playing the drums and singing. Women stood around talking as their children played. The air was hazy from the smoke of burning bukhoir, a type of Omani incense made of frankincense. Talya and I stood to the side, a bit awkwardly, wondering what was happening (we thought it was a wedding!), until one of the men came up to us. He told us that this was a first birthday celebration of a little girl, and said, upon seeing Talya’s camera, said, “Pictures? Take pictures! No problem!” Talya and I were both in a bit of a state of shock- we could have never guessed that anything like this would ever happen here! We went to sit down, as to stick out a little less, (wishful thinking on our part!) when two women came up to us and gave us flatbread with helwa. Helwa is a famous and strong-tasting Omani sweet made of dried dates, honey, and spices, which has the consistency of custard. We stood around and attempted to speak with some of the women in our broken Arabic, until the entire group began to move back down the road. We were told to come along, and began talking to a young woman who spoke enough English for us to communicate. She told us that the gathering was made up of extended family and friends of the girl’s parents. We never managed to find out whether this was an ordinary birthday celebration or something a little more extravagant, but we were able to discover that many of the partygoers were from Salalah, a small, somewhat traditional city in the south of Oman. Though Talya and I have never been to Salalah, we have heard on multiple occasions that it has a vibrantly unique culture. The young woman who had been talking to us all along asserted this, saying: “All Arabs play drums, but only we play them like this.” The “we” she was referring to was people from Salalah. The song and dances seemed to have African influences, but I must admit I was more than a little surprised to see bagpipes! After walking down the road to the center of our town, we sat down on mats placed in a front yard. There, we drank water and ate helwa with bread, just taking in the experience in awe. As the men played drums and the women danced, Talya and I both thought to ourselves how incredible this afternoon was. We certainly wouldn’t have found a party like this back in America!

The afternoon was by far the most exciting one we have had so far, and was a prime example of Omani hospitality at its finest. Talya and I arrived back home with fingers sticky with helwa, a camera full of pictures, and memories of an experience we will never forget.

Music

I have been meaning to write a post featuring a few of my favorite Arabic singers for quite some time now. Music is a universal language, made obvious by the fact that you could stop a random person on the street, look through their iPod, and find songs in numerous languages.However, music is a widely contested subject in Islam, with many conservative believers adamantly asserting that music is haram, or forbidden, to Muslims. Other people believe music is only haram if it is written about haram topics, such as partying or drinking. And yet others think music is halal, or permissible. This is a very difficult issue to resolve, as there isn’t any scripture pertaining to music in the Qur’an. Now, back to the fun part: the songs!

1. Nancy Ajram, “Ya Banat”- I doubt you need the explanation, but this song is about girls. In case the copious amounts of pink and ruffles didn’t tip you off, “Ya Banat” translates roughly to “oh girls”. Nancy Ajram is one of my favorite singers, and she always makes very funny music videos!

2. Amr Diab, “Leila”- This song is very high on my list of favorite songs of all time. “Leila”, which is a name meaning “night”, was released earlier this year, while I was in Oman. I eagerly anticipated the release and then proceeded to torture the other YES Abroad students with the song for months. What can I say? It’s a good song!

3. Hussein al-Jasmi, “Habibi Barceloni”- This song is nothing but fun. The subject, though, is a bit bewildering. “Habibi Barceloni” means “My Love Barcelona”, and tells the story of a man who has changed his preference for football clubs in order to stay with his girlfriend. A bit odd, yes, but an addicting song!

 

4. Maher Zain, “InShaAllah”- The one type of music virtually all Muslims agree is halal is nasheed, or religious songs, such as these.
5. Dania, “Leiley”- I have not been able to find any other songs by this singer, which is a shame because I completely love this song! “Leiley” translates to “my night”, and this song is a sad song about heartbreak. “Your love is a dream I always wished for, please, the love of my life, return to me; I had enough share of torment. Since the day you traveled, I didn’t taste happiness.”
6. Mohammed Salem, “Qalb Qalb”- I first heard this song at a birthday party, where it was played so loud that it has permanently been seared into my eardrums. “Qalb” means “heart”, not to be confused with “kelb”, which means “dog”. Mistranslation could cause some problems!
7. Shereen, “Wennabi Law Gani”- This song is about a woman who refuses to take back a lover because he has wronged her. “I swear if he comes to me, kisses my hands and begs me, I’ll never come back to him again, I won’t accept excuses any more.”
8. Alabina, “Yallah Bina Yallah”- Alabina is a French-based group which preforms a mix of Arabic, Spanish, French, and Hebrew music. Singer Ishtar sings female vocals, and Los Niño de Sara provide guitar, percussion, and male vocals.
9. Fayruz, “Laylat Eid”- Fayruz is a very famous Lebanese Christian singer. Listen to this song and see if you can guess what song it is!
10. Maher Zain, “SubhanAllah”- Maher Zain makes another appearance on my list with this acapella song.

Staying Strong In Times Of Tragedy

Muscat and the Azzan bin Qais community experienced two tragedies yesterday, and the shock is still settling in. This morning at full-school assembly, a teacher made the announcement that ABQ had lost a tenth grade student last night to a motorcycle accident. As the reality hit, many students began to cry. The halls of ABQ today are not filled with running, laughing students with bright faces. His friends described him as a friendly, kind person always ready to greet you with a smile. I did not personally know the student who passed away, but my heart goes out to his family and everyone who knew him. Additionally, a bus full of students rolled over yesterday, killing four and injuring dozens more. I think it is safe to say that all of Muscat is praying for the recovery of the injured, and sending strength to the families of the deceased. Again, I did not know any of these students, but tragedies such as these really open your eyes to your own mortality, so the news affected me as well. 

In times of hardship such as these, it is important to grieve, but it is also important to recognize that we are still alive. We must grasp each day as an opportunity to learn and grow, and live each day as if it were our last. As we have all learned, tragedy can strike at any moment, and we must live our lives to the fullest. Be thankful for each day and every occurrence, no matter how difficult this might be. Live, love, learn, and never take life for granted. Again, please keep the families and friends of the students who passed away in your thoughts and prayers. 

Women And Islam, Part 2

One of the most recognizable and controversial pieces of religious clothing worn today is the hijab. Often mistakenly called the burka, hijab is the dress code the majority of Muslim women begin to adhere to at around the time of puberty, which entails covering the entire body except for the face, hands, and feet while in the presence of non-related men. However, some women chose to cover the face as well. Hijab is interpreted by every woman in a different way, though all wear it because they believe the Qur’an instructs them to do so.

“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear therof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, or their brothers’ sons or their sisters’ sons, or their women or the servants whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex, and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you Believers, turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss.” (Qur’an 24:31).

The hijab is widely understood to not only be a dress code, but also a guide to behavior. For instance, most people would agree that flirting and touching men in any way other than a simply handshake would be inappropriate for a Muslim woman, especially if she wears hijab. There are as many interpretations to hijab as there are Muslim women; each woman wears it in a slightly different way or to a different extent. While in Oman, I have met Muslim women who simply wear a scarf placed on their heads, and women who cover their entire body, including the face. Nonetheless, Islam is the unifying purpose behind their actions.
Hijab can be protection, a figurative shield against other people. Hijab is a way of regaining control over one’s body, of saying “this is my personal space; no one is allowed to see or touch my body except for those I deem worthy.” I feel safe when I wear hijab, however infrequently that is.
Contrary to what many people think, hijab can be empowering. Here I am going to quote a picture I once saw online: there is nothing inherently liberating in showing skin. There is nothing inherently liberating in covering up. The liberation lies in the choice.

Image courtesy of Google.

Image courtesy of Google.

This image shows a woman wearing a hijab, a scarf wrapped to conceal the head, hair, and neck. Hijab is accompanied by loose, modest clothing. The majority of Muslim women who cover wear the hijab. Image courtesy of Google and Inayah Collection.

The word “abaya” literally means “overcoat” in Arabic. This loose, often black, dress-like garment is often worn over clothing with the accompanying scarf, called a “shaila”. Abayas range from trendy to conservative. This type of covering is favored in the Gulf countries, including Oman.

The niqab is a veil which covers the face except for the eyes. Some styles include a layer of gauze which covers even the eyes. Though niqab is not clearly required by the Qur’an, some women chose to wear it. Image courtesy of Google.

Hijab, niqab, abaya, and all other forms of covering are not inherently degrading and oppressive. On the contrary, women such as my host mother love hijab and call it a form of protection. One simple piece of fabric tied to cover the head has so much meaning to the millions of Muslim women who wear it.

This beauty that I have is just one simple part of me.
This body that I have, no stranger has the right to see.
These long clothes, this shawl I wear, ensure my modesty.
Faith is more essential than fashion, wouldn’t you agree?

This hijab,
This mark of piety,
Is an act of faith, a symbol,
For all the world to see
A simple cloth, to protect her dignity
So lift the veil from your heart
to see the heart of purity.
~ Dawud Wharnsby Ali

10 Ways To Know Oman Is Rubbing Off On You

1. When you can eat rice with your hands and manage not to make a mess worthy of a two year old. It’s quite a feat! I still have pictures from lunch on the first or second day the YES Abroad students were in Oman. There was more rice on the floor than in our mouths!

2. When “InShaAllah”, “ya3ni”, “bes khalaas”, and “al7amdullilah” are sprinkled very generously throughout your conversations.

3. When you are met with a nearly irresistible urge to call every cute child you meet either 7abibi or 7abibti. Boys who are around two years old are literally the cutest when wearing dishdashas!

4. When you realize with horror that you are forgetting your native language one word at a time. When writing this post, I had to use Google to look up how to spell about every fifth world. My case in point.

5. When you use “ya rabbi!” more frequently than its English equivalent of “oh my god!” I am going to use so many random Arabic phrases when I get home, so I would like to apologize in advance to my friends.

6. When the fact that Arabic uses different words for aunt, uncle, and cousin depending on whether they are maternal or paternal seems as unquestionable as the fact that the Earth revolves around the sun.

7. When Chips Oman are a must for any snack to be complete.

8. When you have accepted the fact that plans are always negotiable, if any plan exists in the first place. However, you can totally accept that fact grumpily, like me.

9. When your first response to anything displeasing is a disapproving click of the tongue. “Ma zain. Waaaagid ma zain.”

10. When you shudder at the idea of returning to America and wearing a tank top, or worse- shorts! Since I came to Oman, my swimming attire has magically morphed from a regular swim suit into leggings and a tee shirt.

Home for the holidays… or not!

Another year has come and gone, and with the beginning of 2014 comes an opportunity for reflection. 2013 was a year of ups and downs for me, with many blessings and trials. I have met people who have become some of my best friends, tried to navigate the emotional roller coaster which comes with being an exchange student, made connections with people from different countries around the world and, most importantly, learned a lot about myself and the world I live in. New Year’s is a time to think back on the past year and move into the future with gratitude; this year, I am most thankful for my family. Though they are thousands of miles away, they never fail in supporting me through good and bad times.

This year was the first year I was away from my family for the holidays. Christmas is not an extremely important holiday for my family; because we are not religious, it is essentially just a time to spend time with family and friends. The YES Abroad students were told to expect an increase in homesickness around the holidays, but I never expected this. However, seeing my family together, playing in the snow and being together did make me wish I was with them. Ever since I was five years old, we have been a family of four. For the first time in ten years, I saw this change; this time, I was the one missing. With each picture they sent me, I more acutely felt my desire to be back home with them. 

Oh what fun it is to ride in a two-horse open sleigh!

Fortunately, YES Abroad had organized some activities to take our minds off of homesickness. We had a holiday party at the house of the program’s country director, where we had dinner and impersonated Santa. Well, at least I did.

I know, I make a very convincing Santa.

Mae, Shanaya and I festively sporting our Santa hats.

Here’s a scenario which perfectly shows the irony of my life: the first time I went to a Christmas Eve church service was in Oman- and I was wearing an abaya and shayla! For four other YES Abroad girls, this was also their first time at church. For me, the highlights of the evening were the hymns! After we finished the service, we all went to one of the YES Abroad girls’ house for a sleepover. While there, we opened out not-so-secret Secret Santa presents, and ate Christmas cookies.

My Christmas Eve outfit, and what I wore to church!

The next day, we awoke at unnaturally early time, and got ready to meet our American “host families” for the day! Davan and I were placed with the same family, and we cooked a vegan Christmas lunch and made gingerbread bridges and mangers with them. They provided us with a taste of home and a great day, and we intend to keep in touch with them. 

After days of excitement and fun spent with friends, 2014 has arrived, and I hope it treats us all well.

Until next time-
Caillean

Happy birthday, Davan!!

Today’s post will be a little different from normal, as one of the YES Abroad girls has a special day coming up! We have all experienced the ups and downs of exchange life together, and tried our best to keep each other mostly sane through it all. Believe me when I say it wasn’t easy! I think it is safe to say that we all had somewhat unrealistically high expectations for Oman, and now we have learned that truly nothing can be perfect. In the words of one of my fellow exchange students, something can be great and we can love it, but it can never be exactly as we expected. Whenever one of us is going through a hard time, we always try our best to make them happy.

I have been impressed by the other girls’ resilience and optimism time and time again. Davan is one person who I really look up to because of this. She has not had the easiest year so far, and has had more than her share of horrible days, but she has stayed strong through it all.

Davan, you always have been there for all of us, no matter how difficult your life is at the time. I can always count on laughing with you- whether it is over our horribly botched versions of the Macarena which surprisingly turn out  to be incredibly awesome, or the very interesting and complex mix of languages we speak on a daily basis. I will never be able to say “large problem” again in any context without hearing your voice in the back of my head saying, “waaaaajid mushkilla”. Whether it is finding out you are moving in twelve hours or loosing your wallet and passport, you have taken all of your challenges in stride and managed to laugh at how ridiculous life can so often be. You are one of my biggest inspirations for this year, as well as being one of my best friends in the whole world, and I honestly don’t know how we only met less than four months ago! The past months have been some of the best in my life- there’s nothing better than exploring a new country with six of your best friends! So have a fantastic birthday- you deserve it! We will always be your friends, sisters, and support group. Love you, habibti!

– your unnie sagheera, “Khadija”

If you see the beautiful birthday girl on December 16th, be sure to wish her a fantastic 16th birthday!