Odd One Out!
Growing up I always felt like the odd one out! Even amongst my own
family and friends. I felt somewhat misunderstood. I never really just followed what others did. "So
surely there must be something wrong her, why doesn’t she do what we do?"
I could feel the stares just walking into a room.
I just ignored all judgments!
Didn’t ever care what people thought of me, after all, they are just
people – we should be more concerned about what our Creator thinks of us!
I thank and praise Allah/God Almighty for granting me parents who taught
me to stand firm in my belief Alhamdulilah/Praise Be To God and not to be
influenced easily.
Yes, choosing to do the right thing can be a lonely road at times but
with patience and trust in Allah, surely
you will be rewarded.
I always felt judged because of the way I looked or dressed. I felt
invisible to the world until one day, one man looked passed my outer covering
and saw me.
A good caring husband who truly loves me unconditionally was my
reward!
To all the ladies out there! Yes we all love
attention, we also want a good caring partner for life! By flaunting your
assets, sure you will get lots of attention – just not the right kind from the
right guy!
Yes, it can be a lonely tough road at times. You may even be subjected to unfair discrimination. I know that in some countries hijab is banned,
but it
is completely against the South African Law:
THE CONSTITUTION OF
SOUTH AFRICA
Section 9 Equality
(3) The state may not
unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more
grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or
social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion,
conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.
(4) No person may
unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more
grounds in
terms
of subsection (3). National legislation must be enacted to prevent or prohibit
unfair discrimination.
http://www.usig.org/countryinfo/laws/South%20Africa/The%20Constitution%20of%20South%20Africa%209.pdf
Even though this is clearly stated in our constitution, Muslim women in
South Africa - myself included, are still subjected to unfair discrimination.
See articles below:
Edcon investigates discrimination claim
By Thomas Hartleb
Retailer Edcon is investigating whether a Muslim woman
was discriminated against when told the success of her application for a job
rested on whether she was willing to remove her headscarf.
"When we conclude that investigation, we will
determine a course of action based on our corporate policy," Edcon chief
executive Stephen Ross said on Tuesday.
"Under the laws of our constitution every party to a
dispute has the right to a fair hearing."
Ross said the company employed a "diverse group of
associates", some wearing headscarves, some a crucifix and some the Star
of David with their store uniform.
According to the Media Review Network (MRN) and the
Muslim Judicial Council, a manager at the CNA in Canal Walk, Cape Town,
allegedly told Muneerah Kriel her interview was a waste of time if she was not
willing to remove her headscarf.
"The MRN would like to appeal to Edcon to
categorically make an announcement on the matter and also to apologise to
Muneerah Kriel for the way she was treated by the manager of CNA," said
spokeswoman Nabeweya Malick.
"We call on Edcon to afford Muneerah an opportunity
to be re-interviewed and to be assessed on merit."
Malick claimed Kriel was also asked to remove her
headscarf on a previous occasion, after being accepted for training at the
Indaba curio shop at the Waterfront in Cape Town.
A manager told her she would have to do so to secure her
position, but she refused to comply and explained why the wearing of a
headscarf was compulsory for Muslim women, Malick said.
In a similar incident on October 27, prison authorities
dismissed a Muslim social worker for wearing a headscarf to work.
Fairouz Adams, a social worker at Worcester prison in the
Western Cape, was dismissed for having "violated the corporate identity of
the department of correctional services."
Eddy Johnson, spokesperson for the regional chapter of
the department, said Adams was "summoned to a disciplinary hearing at
which she was then found guilty of violating the dress code". Johnson said
Adams had the option of appealing her dismissal.
Malick said Adams's case had still not been resolved. -
Sapa
Former
employee takes CNA to CCMA
October 6 2006 at 12:41pm
By Moses Mdewu Mackay
Muneerah Kriel, 21, had applied for a sales assistant
position at CNA in Canal Walk, Cape Town.
She claimed that during the interview, then-manager
Pamela Brooke allegedly told her that she would not get the job unless she
agreed to remove her headscarf.
In an earlier report, Brooke said: "This is in terms
of security. If she wears her headscarf her vision would be obscured. Why must
she have this huge headscarf? I don't know why she is going on this
crusade."
Brooke said the problem was the size of the scarf and
that Muslim staff could wear scarves that complied with the store's dress code.
Speaking to Cape Argus this week, Kriel said Brooke had
left the company after the incident, and that she had since testified at
Brooke's CCMA hearing in June.
The hearing resumed at the CCMA offices in Darling Street
on Tuesday, but a commissioner said the media had been barred. An official
later said the case had been postponed to November 20.
Kriel said the company had apologised but she wanted
Brooke to apologise too.
Edcon executive manager for employee relations, Melanie
Naidu, refused to disclose the outcome of the disciplinary action against
Brooke, but said she had contested the company's decision.
Yes, on two occasions I was denied a job, not
because I was incapable, but because I chose to exercise my constitutional
right to freely practice my religion.
You think that my hijab is a sign of oppression? Nay, it is my FREEDOM! I am free from the trap of materialism! No one dictates
to me what I should or what I shouldn’t wear this season!
You think that my hijab is a sign of weakness?
Nay, it is my STRENGTH! I am strong enough to stand up for what I believe in –
even if that means I have to stand alone!
You think that my hijab silences me? Nay, I
command RESPECT without having to utter a word!
You think that my hijab is dangerous? Nay, it is
my PROTECTION! Hijab is a righteous deed and it is a sign of
honor and equality with men and stands as a shield of protection against evil
men.
You think that my hijab hides my true personality
and that I live a boring life? Nay, my hijab is my IDENTITY! I am not afraid to be different , stand out
and shine! Use it to your advantage. Be unique, people will remember you!
You still think I am the odd-one-out? Well look
at me now!
Number one on the racetrack and at the finish line! :-)
So you see, I can achieve and have as much fun as
anyone else in this world. As they say, 'Never judge a book by its
cover' or should I say, - Never judge a woman by her cover! ;-)
Peace, LOVE and Happiness ~ Muneerah Kriel, July 2012
Far More Precious Than Diamonds and
Pearls –Muhammad Ali
The following incident took place when Muhammad Ali's daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters:
When we finally arrived, the chauffer escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father's suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.
My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget.
He looked me straight in the eyes and said,
"Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to.
"Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to.
Where do you find diamonds?
Deep down in the ground, covered and protected.
Where do you find pearls?
Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell.
Where do you find gold?
Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock.
You've got to work hard to get to them."
He looked at me with serious eyes.
He looked at me with serious eyes.
"Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."
~ Muhammad Ali
What an inspiring story... A person would never know your trials and tribulations unless you share it with them. Shukran for sharing... It will most definitely light a spark in someone else's life who sees probably no hope in the situations they are currently facing. You just proved that Hijab rocks ;) So I say, keep rocking on... :) hehe
ReplyDeleteShukran Yusrah, your support is much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it's true, people tend to only see your success but they do not realize what you've been through to reach that point.
I hope my blog (not just this post) will inspire others to do their best, never give up and not be afraid to take on a challenge.
Success only comes with hard work, perseverance and sacrifice. Like my friend says:
'There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs!' :)
To all the ladies, hijab or no hijab - remember that you are a beautiful special pearl. So as Yusrah says, Lets all ROCK-ON! ;)
So inspiring, especially for those women who think Hijaab somehow turns you in to stone to sit and do nothing! Shukran for sharing Muneerah. What was the eventual outcom? Has Brooke ever apologised?
ReplyDeleteShukran Nawaar. Indeed, people tend to think I am sheltered from the world. What they do not realize is that I probably do more in one week than what some people would do in a month or even a year! ;)
DeleteThe eventual outcome - I have no idea. No apology from her, instead I was made out to be the liar. I was amazed at how her lawyer so brilliantly fabricated stories.
Nevertheless, I hope that she learnt from this experience too. :)