More often than I care to admit, I have seen comments posted on facebook or other blogs about how Canadians are tired of bending over to please Muslims and how Muslims should leave their country and go back home. I take offence to these comments because I am a true Canadian who happens to be Muslim. I wear my red and white with pride and, although we do not live in Canada, I have passed on my patriotism and pride to my children who are also proud Canadians so when I hear people telling Muslims to go home, it lights a fire within me.
Just because I dress differently does not mean I am not a proud Canadian. I wonder if all those people who comment on how a Muslim woman dresses would criticize a nun for wearing her habit. Is a nun deemed to be less of a Canadian because she devotes her life to God?
Muslims are blamed because public politics have suggested it is better to say Season’s Greetings rather than Merry Christmas in order not to offend anyone. As far as I know Muslims had nothing to do with this. I agree it is respectful to not offend others but I do not agree that if you chose to adapt these new ways that Muslims should be blamed. Muslims didn’t ask you to change how you greet each other. This is a choice that people have made. I am also convinced that the suggestion to say Season’s Greetings is to accommodate the fact that Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza which all fall during the same season. Islam has nothing to do with this fact.
When I try to understand the mentality of why people chose to blame Islam and Muslims, I cannot help but remember how happy many people were when religion was removed from the schools. Unless you went to a private catholic school, religion was not to be taught in the public schools. I remember begging my parents to let me attend the public high school rather than my Catholic school because it was not cool to be taught by nuns. Amazingly, it is mostly those who have chosen to go the route of no religion who complain about the suggestion of saying Season’s Greetings.
After living in the Middle East for over 8 years, I have seen a lot of changes in this little country. Eight years ago, the Muslim population of the country was in shock when Christmas made its very loud appearance in the local malls. Up until that point, I was told that Christmas was not seen or heard of in these surroundings.
The irony when I hear westerners blame Muslims for the lack of religion in their country is that, here I am in a Muslim country who is trying to respect all by building a church and providing many other services to the non-Muslim population. Regardless of what is being done for those who are not Muslim, it will never seem to be enough.
Recently a water park opened its doors in Qatar. Although this should have been welcomed with opened-arms, I was astonished to hear the complaints about the dress code. What?? No 2 piece swimsuits???? What??? I have to cover my skin??? Is this too much to ask for? Will covering remove the fun you will experience in this park? I just do not understand it. As the saying goes “When in Rome, do as the Romans.”
I have even heard complaints to the extent that the country is being accused of expecting non-Muslims to behave as Muslims…. HUH????
Qatar has built a church. Qatar has permitted the establishment of night clubs and restaurant that serve alcohol which I need to add that Muslims are forbidden to enter. Qatar allows Non-Muslims to purchase alcohol for their home personal use. Regardless of the fact that I would never drink, even if I wanted to go to a club to listen to music, I am forbidden at the door. I have known people who were asked to leave restaurants because of the fact that the woman wore a hejab and the restaurant refused to let them stay because they serve alcohol. Although I would never chose to go anywhere that serves alcohol, my personal choice to decide if I want to go or not is not mine to make because Muslims are forbidden to enter clubs or similar establishment. So with this in mind, I ask myself how some can say that Muslims are the cause for not respecting another’s rights or giving extra privileges to non-Muslims?
As it seems, anytime somebody’s rights are taken away, Muslims everywhere are being blamed. If the so-called injustice happens in a non-muslim country, Muslims are told to go home regardless of where they are originally from. When the injustice happens in a Muslim country, then the Muslims are accused of being too strict and need to “get with the groove”.
In brief, we will never make everybody happy all the time. When I am in Canada, I do not expect for the world to stop around me during Ramadan. Unlike in a Muslim country, where the country changes dramatically during Ramadan to respect the fasting people, I would not ask or expect the same when fasting in Canada. I would never ask the people around me not to eat because I am fasting. I chose to follow my religion regardless of where I am. I will wish you a Happy Eid and not Season’s Greetings because I am free to do so. I will not put the blame on anybody else if I chose not to live my life true to my beliefs as long as I am not hurting anyone. Although I do not celebrate Christmas, I will never frown upon somebody who wishes me a Merry Christmas…. So stop blaming me… or Muslims… for the lack of conviction you may have. Stop telling me to leave your country because Canada is my country and will always be my country.
Apologies in advance if any of the words or feelings I have expressed have annoyed or insulted anybody. My intention is not to offend but to open hearts and minds to the reality of what some people are saying.
