As an Indonesian who lives where Muslim lives as a majority is a blessing. Since we have no significant problem with worshipping, wearing a veil as Muslim identity, regulation that is made appropriately with Islam and many more.
Nevertheless, how about those who live where Muslim lives as a minority? Let’s hear their stories!
Asaad Sallie, 17 years old student in South Africa explained “Being a minority, it can sometimes Interfere with performing the religious activities that you wouldn't normally be having trouble completing. For example, there are no Salaah facilities in public areas and there aren't many mosques in any given area.”
“It's quite difficult to pray on time because there are Masjid and prayer areas in malls, but people don't prioritize their prayer over their shopping. So we would first finish what we have to do, then go home to pray. There's no sense of urgency to pray on time. In some areas there is no Masjid so we do not hear the call to prayer, then we tend to continue our daily activities until we decide it's time to go pray. At my high school, there was no room to make salaah so I would wait until I go home after 4 pm to make Thur and Asr salaah. This was because Muslims was a minority at my high school, I did not attend an Islamic high school. Now at university there is a special Jamaat khana for all the Muslims because I feel that there are so many more Muslims in university that the demand was high for a prayer area to be established. Now we can go to make wudhu and we can make our salaah on time. Often people still neglect their Salaah because they have classes or they studying or they still tend to prioritize other things over salaah, then go home to salaah” Added Shifah Abrahams who also lives in South Africa.
Contrarily, Kamiila has no big matter about worshipping (read:salaah) in her surroundings, “it's not hard being a Muslim in south Africa actually. There are lots of masjids and halal restaurants. There are solaah rooms in many malls as well. At my university, they are very accommodating with solaah times. If we have an exam during that time, they'll excuse us to pray.”
“We have it quite easy in South Africa and don't experience a lot of Islamophobia. We have mosques close by and the Muslim community in my city is very active. Alhamdulilah it is easy for us although it is nothing like living in a fully Muslim country like Indonesia” added by Aisha Hamdulay
“My country is very tolerant of Muslims. There is not much resistance against our practice” Deen du Preez agrees with what Aisha said.
“Alhamdulillah for us Muslims in south Africa it is very easy to be Muslim and practice Islam. There are hardly any cases of Islamaphobia and Muslims around the country are treated with respect and dignity.” Explained Ismaeel.
Meanwhile, Salma Irawan as a student of the University of Sydney, Australia told us “As a Muslim woman living in a western society, it is extremely difficult to withhold Islamic morals and attitudes while coexisting with nonbelievers in a seamless manner. I'm often perceived as too Muslim for the West or too Western for the Muslims. I'm often at a limbo in an identity crisis - which is why it is extremely important to find a balance in the two spectrums. I am completely grateful to attend the University of Sydney, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, but unfortunately, it comes at a great cost - the lack of location and time to accommodate for prayer. In turn, I am usually forced to find a hidden nook - under the stairs, between bookshelves - to perform Salah. Although it attracts a great deal of attention, and I do get into trouble for it, prayer is a fundamental pillar of Islam to which I am obligated to perform, regardless of where I am”
“Even though I live in Sri Lanka that Muslim lives as a minority, but I have got no problem till now being a minority,” Shiham said
“yea! But It’s still very difficult to survive since we Muslims are a minority in our country. Since we are threatened by a radical non muslim organization” Shazaan said.
“as Shiham said that even though living as a minority in my country, we still have alot of freedom but the only problem is caused by a certain monk organization called "bodu bala senawa" a threat for the Muslim ummah in Sri Lanka and there have been reports but no proper action has been taken against them.” Explained by Fayad.
Do you have any story you want to share as Muslim minority? Let’s share yours for us!
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