Moslem women find unity in their faith as Sisters<\/p>\n
By Natasha Sky<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Amid myriad faces and accents, a group of women
\nhas learned to put superficial differences aside. Intelligent,
\nfaithful and devoted, they are united in one belief -- Islam.<\/p>\n
Welcome to Sisters, a melting pot of color, language, culture
\nand understanding formed under the unifying element of religion.
\nTwice a month a group of about 20 women gathers at a house in
\nKuningan, South Jakarta, to discuss what it means to be a Moslem
\nwoman, and particularly what it means to a foreigner and live as
\na Moslem woman in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The group was the brainchild of Briton Angela Alhamid. In a
\nchance meeting at a cross-cultural group, Angela and Australian
\nMartina Zainal discovered women needed a platform to discuss what
\nit meant to be Moslem. Their own experiences as Moslem women
\nmarried to Indonesians influenced their decision.<\/p>\n
Angela professed her faith to Islam 20 years ago, describing
\nit as \"taking one more step, as if I was transferring my
\nbeliefs\".<\/p>\n
Although her mother initially had reservations about her
\ndecision, Angela said this was largely due to the West's
\nmisconceptions about the religion. In the West, for example,
\nIslam is often associated with terrorism and the subordination of
\nwomen. But like the Sisters group itself, the process of learning
\nopened up a whole new perspective for Angela.<\/p>\n
\"While most people, unfortunately, have a negative perception
\n(about Islam), Sisters is a group which helps answer women's
\nquestions about the religion.<\/p>\n
\"These questions are not always cultural but also relate to
\nthe Islamic way of thinking, concentrating on issues relevant to
\nour own,\" she said.<\/p>\n
The first meeting in April attracted nine women from different
\ncountries. It has since expanded to 20 members, and interest
\ncontinues to grow.<\/p>\n
\"It's enlightening how many people in this group are from the
\ninternational community,\" Angela said. \"By meeting people in the
\nsame situation, we are reinforcing that we all share something
\nspecial -- that we are all Moslem.\"<\/p>\n
The group, which welcomes non-Moslem women as participants,
\nalso serves to educate women on the rights and responsibilities
\nof Moslem women in the workplace, at home and in their personal
\nlives. The meetings are held in English to make it easier for
\nWestern women to understand the complexities of the religion.<\/p>\n
Courage<\/p>\n
A series of guest speakers, open discussions and lessons on
\nprayer all help to give the women the courage and confidence to
\ndelve deeper into the religion themselves. As Sisters, they are
\nfree to discuss difficulties in reading the Koran or problems
\nthey may face in relating their religion to their personal lives.<\/p>\n
For Martina, the group is a chance to share many of her
\nexperiences as a Moslem woman and come to a deeper spiritual
\nawareness. \"In my outlook, I'm more understanding to how other
\npeople react to things and I can easily incorporate Islam into my
\ndaily life.\"<\/p>\n
Martina professed her faith to Islam in 1981, two years after
\nmarrying in Australia. In January 1986, she decided to adopt the
\nMoslem headdress, or jilbab, which she considers \"a very visible
\nsign of my religion\". It was also her way of setting an example
\nto her children that should they later decide to adopt the
\njilbab, the person on the inside remained the same.<\/p>\n
German Agnes Tadjoedin moved to Indonesia with her husband in
\n1979. Incorporating Islam into her life was one way of bringing
\nthe family together, Agnes recalled.<\/p>\n
\"If I didn't want to know or become involved in this important
\npart of my family, I would have certainly been distancing myself
\nfrom them. But now I feel I am on the path to God.\"<\/p>\n
Agnes said that in the beginning she found few differences,
\nbut after a while she had many questions about Islam and there
\nwere aspects she did not understand. She was frightened by the
\ncontradictions, such as some people professing their faith but at
\nthe same time lying and cheating. S<\/p>\n
She was also aware her decision was not immediately understood
\nby other foreigners, and on several occasions she was asked by
\nher German friends what her decision meant for a women's position
\nin society.<\/p>\n
\"It wasn't until I read a lot that I realized how liberated
\nand tolerant the religion is. Every religion is misused by man,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
The Sisters group has offered Agnes a chance to learn more
\nabout her religion and come to a greater understanding.<\/p>\n
\"Sisters offers a very neutral, international environment in
\nwhich we are free to ask any question. We are free to exchange
\nideas with other foreigners who are looking for the same
\nanswers.\"<\/p>\n
As the morning draws to a close, the women gather for a light
\nsnack and conversation. It is here that Sisters have learned the
\nstrengths of each other and stand united in their religious
\nconviction.<\/p>\n
\"Sisters aims to bring together all women interested in
\nIslam,\" Angela said. \"If people have the strength to talk with
\nothers, learn more about people's rights, the relationship with
\nthe family becomes more harmonious and women's roles become more
\nclear.\"<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the group is about sharing a common experience.
\n\"People want to find someone who understands their own experience
\nbecause this reconfirms their faith as Islamic sisters,\" Angela
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Sisters meets twice a month on Saturdays. For more
\ninformation, contact Angela at 766-1724\/5.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/moslem-women-find-unity-in-their-faith-as-sisters-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}