I really want to thank everyone who has left comments lately, especially those hijabis who took the time to fill out the scarf survey. I've enjoyed reading all of them. InshaaAllah, in the near future I will organize and add some thoughts to the survey replies and then post them here on the blog.
In the meantime, I'm going to start a "hijabi watch," which is a post whenever I see another hijabi out in public. I think it will give me and you an interesting perspective on how many are out there (in my life, at least).
Last week, I saw a hijabi in an Half-Price Books bookstore. I think she was with her husband and her two daughters (as I was too!). She was wearing an Pakistani/Indian style shalwar kameez, a headscarf, and another shawl wrapped around her. I think she was East Asian, perhaps Indonesian, which made me glad because since my hubby is half Korean, and therefore my kids are part Korean, I like seeing other East Asian Muslims around! I started imagining that her family and ours were friends, and how good that would be. But I was also very shy at first and avoided her. But then I thought, I should go up to her, so as my young daughter walked near her, I looked at her and she said, "As-salam-a-alaykum," and I said, "Wa-alaykumm-as-salam," and then I softly added, "How are you?" hoping to start a conversation, but it didn't happen. Then I wished there was some way I could say, "hey, if you ever wanna talk, call me," so I thought I should carry a "business card," around with me that says, "Hey Hijabi. There's not many of us around this town, let's be friends. Call or Email me!" Hahaha. I guess that would be too weird though...
5 comments:
salams :)
I can understand the want to speakw ith other sisters, but I also understand the fear. We all know we judge eachother and sad to say but I think we are afraid to talk to eachother for that exact reason.
At least I know I am.
Assalamu alaikom,
I've passed out my phone number and my email address but not much has ever come of it. Oh well, can't hurt to try. I think, though, that so many of us are so busy. It becomes hard to make time for anything else (like making new friends). I know that is my situation. When I have free time I just want to sit and do nothing or nearly nothing.
thanks you two! i agree with you, it's just so hard to make new friends. it's so much easier to stay in our comfort zones...
You've got a fascinating blog! I'm a non-Muslim who's always interested in the vast variety of religions in America, and stumbled across your blog from an Orthodox Christian site on headcoverings.
I made up my own cards a while ago, when I realized that I was meeting other moms at playgroups and playgrounds, and never finding them again. A graphic designer friend made up cards for me that say, basically, "MyName, KidsName's Mom, Email address, cell phone." I've ended up with quite a few people contacting me, both to continue conversations we'd had at playgrounds and to set up playdates. That's my longwinded way of saying that a "calling card" (as they used to be called) might be a great idea.
Sallam Sis,
I thought of your blog in a quick flash on our local MAX train (I've been raving to a sister I met online about how she'll like moving here cua there's hijabis here, there and everywhere). SO I did a hijabi spotting post :)
BTW, even though I only gave my Sallams to the sisters on the train, I certainly do believe in giving email, blog, facebook, myspace or phone to fellow Muslimahs. I've gotten a few friends locally that way.
Peace~SAllam,
aisha
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