I stepped into a mosque and out of my comfort zone last week.
Coincidentally, my visit to the Muslim Unity Center in Bloomfield Hills was Jan. 7, at the same time that news was breaking about the terrorist attacks at the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical newspaper in Paris. The attacks, which left 12 people dead at the newspaper, were reportedly done by Islamic militants, presumably ones offended by the newspaper’s cartoon treatments of the prophet Muhammad.
I knew little about the attacks prior to the visit, however, and my unease actually began before I even knew about Charlie Hebdo and before I got anywhere near the mosque. I had been excited to go to the mosque to cover a story on Brandon Middle School students who are partaking in a Religious Diversity Journeys program (two stories in the series so far, both can be found online at thecitizenonline.com) I love doing stories I’ve never done before, learning new things, going new places. But I wasn’t expecting to feel the trepidation and misgivings I had that began so innocently with an e-mail from the teacher, advising of the need for a head scarf.
It seemed a mild enough request and though I’ve never worn a head scarf, a co-worker had a beautiful one to loan me. It was light, easy to wrap around my head, velvety smooth. And yet, I felt incredibly irritated putting it on. Not because I am vain, not because I am not Muslim. No, my discomfiture began with the sense that the donning of the head scarf was an affront to my feminist sensibilities.
And thus, with an external bit of material, an internal struggle began. Am I as open-minded as I’ve always prided myself on being? Or are some of my beliefs too deeply ingrained to permit a wider view?
I read an article a year or two ago that talked about how difficult it is for people to change their opinions. Even when faced with evidence to the contrary, people will seek ways to make information support their own conclusions. I don’t want to be like that? not only because
I am a journalist who strives to be fair and balanced, but because I want to be a progressive human.
So, when it was time, I put on the scarf, put on a smile, and walked in to the Muslim Unity Center, ready to learn about Islam. I was greeted by friendly women and I nervously asked if my head scarf was covering enough. I learned I didn’t need to wear it until I actually entered the prayer hall. I listened in fascination as a female volunteer spoke about tenets of the religion. It was indeed an education. Before entering the prayer hall, everyone removed their shoes and the girls all donned head scarves. Inside, the imam (spiritual leader) answered questions. My queries pertained to female equality within the religion.
Burqas and full body coverings are not required by Islam, but head coverings are necessary in the prayer hall. Women in full hijab choose to dress that way as a cultural tradition, I was told.
While women can be scholars and teachers and hold many important roles, they can not be imams. The imam explained that a woman leading prayer would be considered a distraction to men. Again, that feeling of disquiet grew, and became almost deafening at lunch when I greeted the imam. As is the custom of so many in ‘our? culture, I smiled, met his eyes, and extended my hand for him to shake as I introduced myself. But, he drew his hand up to his chest and held it there. Eyes cast downward, he shook his head and seemed to be searching for words. I waited awkwardly, hand floating in the air, unmet. Finally, he said, ‘I’m sorry, we don’t touch the opposite gender.?
I recovered and made polite conversation, asking him about other things. He later told me the avoidance of touching the opposite gender has to do with modesty and does not apply among family members.
I left the mosque with a delicious wrapped pita sandwich and more food for thought. At home, I read more on the Charlie Hebdo attacks, contemplated my own experience that day, and I did finally reach some conclusions. One, that wearing a head scarf doesn’t make me any less an equal to a man. I can’t be diminished by wearing a scarf? it may cover my head, but it doesn’t darken what’s inside it. Two, religion often divides people, but individuals that ascribe to a particular religion presumably do so because they find comfort in their beliefs. I don’t have to find comfort in, agree with, or demean someone else’s beliefs, I am comfortable and confident in my own. Three, I’m glad there are Brandon students participating in the Religious Diversity Journeys program and parents who see the value in the education it provides and the breaking down of stereotypes, as well as tolerance for other views.
If more children all over the world were involved in such programs, perhaps we would have a better understanding of one another’s beliefs as well as the knowledge that while we don’t need to share those beliefs, respect for them bodes well for peace and a brighter future for our world.