festivities.
I don't understand the need to make so much fuss over Eid. Surely this whole "raya sebulan" (translation: one month celebration) thing would have fizzled out a little over the years as people become more knowledgeable and are more able to pry apart religion from culture? I don't know. Maybe I'm just not made for this society. Perhaps it's a matter of preference. But I like the way the Arabs do things. Hari Raya Eidilfitri is a small affair, often just a day when they do their Eid prayers at Masjidil Haraam, have a small meal, and then go home and go about doing what they do on a normal uneventful day. Hari Raya Eidul-adha, on the other hand, is a grander affair - as I feel it should be.
I guess it boils down to different societies, perceiving prominent Islamic events in different ways.
But then again, Islam has never condoned food wastage, or extravagance of any kind. However, if you see the great lengths at which food of all kinds are prepared, you'd see nothing of the kind of simplicity that Islam is about. It's conflicting really, how we distort our own religion and then get worked up when people of other races and religions have misconceptions about Islam.
I'm no saint, I'd be the first to admit that. But sometimes I find it hard having to explain certain behaviors to my non-muslim friends about the Muslim way of life. Why do some of us don a hijab, while some don't. Why are some hijab longer, covering the chest, and why are some worn as headgear. Why do I wear clothes covering my butt, while some of their friends can wear tight-fitting clothes. Why do some of them drink, and why I can't. Why some of their malay girlfriends check into hotels with their boyfriends, while some others aren't even allowed to hold their partner's hands.
I don't blame my friends for asking questions. I'm glad they do, at least they'd be addressing their doubts that way. But I would like it if people could understand that the choices I make with regards to the clothes I wear is not because of fear of my father (for example. I don't fear him, I choose to respect him btw. Just an example.) or to attract the eyes of men. Sure, I love pretty things, as do other girls. But I happen to like dressing modestly, cover the areas I have to cover - only because I feel like the only one I should have to answer to is God and no-one else. I only please myself third to God and my parents. If mom doesn't like how short my top is (because it doesn't cover my butt or if it clings on too tightly to my body) then off it goes. Everyone else can do things their own way, afterall at the end of your life, you only have God to answer to, so do what you think is right :) That, and the fact that I don't want to have my father be punished in his afterlife for bringing up a rubbish daughter like me. I owe him that, at least.
PS: I finally bought myself a DSLR! :D
I guess it boils down to different societies, perceiving prominent Islamic events in different ways.
But then again, Islam has never condoned food wastage, or extravagance of any kind. However, if you see the great lengths at which food of all kinds are prepared, you'd see nothing of the kind of simplicity that Islam is about. It's conflicting really, how we distort our own religion and then get worked up when people of other races and religions have misconceptions about Islam.
I'm no saint, I'd be the first to admit that. But sometimes I find it hard having to explain certain behaviors to my non-muslim friends about the Muslim way of life. Why do some of us don a hijab, while some don't. Why are some hijab longer, covering the chest, and why are some worn as headgear. Why do I wear clothes covering my butt, while some of their friends can wear tight-fitting clothes. Why do some of them drink, and why I can't. Why some of their malay girlfriends check into hotels with their boyfriends, while some others aren't even allowed to hold their partner's hands.
I don't blame my friends for asking questions. I'm glad they do, at least they'd be addressing their doubts that way. But I would like it if people could understand that the choices I make with regards to the clothes I wear is not because of fear of my father (for example. I don't fear him, I choose to respect him btw. Just an example.) or to attract the eyes of men. Sure, I love pretty things, as do other girls. But I happen to like dressing modestly, cover the areas I have to cover - only because I feel like the only one I should have to answer to is God and no-one else. I only please myself third to God and my parents. If mom doesn't like how short my top is (because it doesn't cover my butt or if it clings on too tightly to my body) then off it goes. Everyone else can do things their own way, afterall at the end of your life, you only have God to answer to, so do what you think is right :) That, and the fact that I don't want to have my father be punished in his afterlife for bringing up a rubbish daughter like me. I owe him that, at least.
PS: I finally bought myself a DSLR! :D