An addendum to my previous post of: Islam Expo,London and my hijab

I feel I must clarify my previous post, when traveling while Muslim one can expect to have “interesting” and at times “intense” travel experiences when crossing paths with the immigrations officials of the world. And I will say that when declaring the purpose of my trip to British Immigrations they have at times been extremely inquisitive about the Muslim women seminars and events I have crossed the pond to attend on my dime.

My theory is that I will always be honest with British Immigrations about the purpose of my trip and if that means telling them that I have flown 4,000 miles across the Atlantic to attend a 3 hour seminar on the lives of Iraqi, Kurdish and Afghani women than so be it. I have at times gotten looks and the questions have been never ending when standing before the Immigrations official at hand. Still I have never once picked up the personal bias and prejudice of the official I was standing before. In other words they were simply doing their jobs.

It was only in my country of birth, America that I was “detained” in November 2007 before 4 immigration officials (well 3 uniformed immigration officials) the 4th person was a man in a suit taking notes. The experience lasted for 30 minutes and I felt quite mauled when it was over.
In March I was detained again when I returned home, but it was only by one person. In fact it was one of the women who had detained me on my return home in November 2007. I have now grown quite fearful of traveling – and my greatest fear lies in returning home and having to deal with TSA. Still I am alive, so that means I will continue to have wanderlust. With each incursion into my life by the State Department and TSA I grow concerned that I will no longer be able to cross the pond…………………………………………………But I will push on and hope and pray that British Immigration continues their tolerance of my love of London and all the people in it.

May Allah grant all the wisdom to encourage us all to explore the world (in all manner of ways) and learn more about those that we share the planet with……………………………………………..And to the gatekeepers I would ask and hope that they learn and learn and learn and not rely so much on stereotypes and preconceived notions of the “other”.

Allahu akbar (God is the greatest) the world really is an interesting place – flaws and all. Join those of us who wander the globe and learn. It is a painful, challenging, scary but ultimately a beautifully thing. Come alive and learn.

Islam Expo,London and my hijab

In mid July I am crossing the pond (yet again), but this time to attend Islam Expo. The organisers have just posted the seminars. http://www.islamexpo.com/attractions.php?id=7&art=11 Take a gander, as the event promises to be eye opening.

Like the grand city hosting the Islam Expo (London) this event challenges the reality of diversity and mixing and socialising with those who are "different". As a Muslim, feminist of color raised by a Catholic father and a Muslim mother, my interpretation of Islam differs from many of the people I rubbed shoulders with at Islam Expo 2006, but I always felt a part of the Ummah.

In fact the most awesome thing about the Islam Expo is that despite the media Islam is now and will always be a diverse lot of men, women and children. So I am eagerly planning my next trip with much excitement.

Oh and one more bit of news I have to share. This will be the first trip in which I will cover (wear my hijab). I always dress in a modest manner, but in general I only cover when at mosque. However a rather unsettling experience at the "hands" of several TSA agents in November 2007 has rather made me decide to wear my hijab as a sign of pride and love of my faith.

After all if I can be detained by TSA for a half an hour and have my prayer books manhandled,my religious beliefs laughed at and spoken to by one TSA officer in a less than intelligent manner (she spoke to me in "ebonics") then my theory of not wearing my hijab to avoid just this sort of treatment was well - wrong. I was even asked repeatedly who I lived with. And my luggage was searched by two women while two men looked on. All very dis-respectful and quite unpleasant.

I found the question of my living arrangements as particularly jarring as they seemed to want to hear that I lived with a man. And the question was asked more than three times. Co-habitation (outside of marriage) of non-related people of the opposite sex is haram in Islam. As I live alone and told the TSA this several times I can only think the repeating of this question again and again was to serve as to humiliate me. I regret to say that it did.

And being on the receiving end of four myopic people with power and preconceived, prurient and basal notions of what it is to be a Black, American Muslim and female was a rather daunting experience………………………………….But I hope I will not let it stop me from traveling and lawfully exporing the world and the complicated people in it.

So with hijab on head, enthiusiam in heart and my love of London and all the wonders and challenges the city brings - I AM CROSSING THE POND AGAIN.

By the way I know that some people have experienced problems with British Immigration - that has not been my case. I do not discount the life experiences of others, but I must acknowledge the reality of my life. And I would like to thank in writng British Immigration for the tolerance and respect they have always shown me in the 21 years I have crossed the pond and visited the capital. They have shown much respect (and tolerance) to me a Feminist (now Muslim Feminist), vegan, animal rights activist, heavy metal listening, numbers crunching, mosque and church going, woman of color.

Cheers,

Debra /div>

PS: It is a forgone conclusion if you are crossing the pond or just boarding a plane to fly a few miles if you are traveling to anything at all related to Islam that you are going to end up on somebody's - list. Still never let it stand in your way of exploring Allah’s creation world and the people in it.

_
And always, but always have London on the top of your places to visit…………………….I mean if the capital can tolerate a head banging, vegan, Muslim Feminist with an ever increasing obsession with the British Museum it has to be awesome.
More on my upcoming trip to London in a few days…………………………………………

LadyFest 2008 just a few days away

For a plethora of women’s film, music and videos check out LadyFest 2008 London. Clink on this link for scheduling, tickets and other pertinent information.

http://www.ladyfestlondon.co.uk/

LadyFest 2008 just a few days away

For a plethora of women’s film, music and videos check out LadyFest 2008 London. Clink on this link for scheduling, tickets and other pertinent information.

http://www.ladyfestlondon.co.uk/

The Saudi Blogger - Freed

On Saturday, 26th April 2008 the Saudi Blogger Fouad al-Farhan was freed from a Saudi jail after 4 months of imprisonment. For more details on this story take a look at the following links.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080427/wl_mideast_afp/saudimediainternetpolitics_080427115450

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/04/27/freed_saudi_blogger_calls_prison_unique/2989/

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20080428/wl_csm/oblogger_1

London has a new mayor

The people have spoken and London has a new mayor. London is a magnificent city with a splendid diverse and complicated population. Each day as mayor of London I would imagine will fill you with challenges and joy.

The people of London have intrusted you with a jewel, governance of the capital. It is a privilege and an honor.

Congratulations Mr. Johnson and may you serve London well.


From Debra, a most avid Anglophile