Sunday, March 31, 2013

The lost generation- South African Muslim Youth

Visited Sandton city last night after many years. It was fantastic to see a few refreshing changes in the decor at various stores and I was really impressed with the stunning Geldhof Chocolate Easter presentation but whilst sitting in the Nelson Mandela square munching on popcorn, I couldn't help but notice the Muslim youth of today. It is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate a Muslim girl from a western woman or a Muslim boy from a western boy. Mini skirts, sleeveless tops, loose hair and figure hugging clothes seems to be the in thing in 'Muslim fashion', not to forget older Muslim women trying to compete with their daughters and grand daughters wearing leggings accompanied with tight short tops and what about Muslim boys sporting weird haircuts.Whilst standing in the queue in a well known retail outlet, a group of women from India were staring at me and naturally I smiled. They then started talking about mom and I in Hindi and they were under the impression that we were Emirati..I then asked them ' where are you from' in Hindi and obviously they were surprised and visibly happy that I could converse with them in their mother tongue...The women then said," we knew you were Muslim from your head scarf. We thought you were Arab. We are so sorry that we spoke about you in our language. We thought you wouldn't understand and the reason we stared at you is because through your attire you stand out in a crowd,".. Alhamdulilla it has been almost five years now that I am adorning the headscarf and I hope that I will never ever throw it away. My headscarf is my identity and I always believe that the way you dress and carry yourself in public says a lot about your character and personality.Our Muslim youth of today are losing their culture and identity. How many of today's youth know their mother tongue whether it is Gujurati, urdu or any other language. Being like Kylie Minogue or Justin Bieber seems to be hip and happening.What happened to the idea of being proud of your roots and your heritage. Please do not get me wrong. By adorning an abaya or a head scarf does not make a person pious or religiously inclined. However, the point I wish to drive home is  this: Is it so difficult for a Muslim woman to leave her home dressed decently. A dress or a jeans with a long top is a perfectly acceptable dress code.In my opinion a Muslim girl in a mini skirt parading herself in public lacks character and intellect. I wonder how do parents allow their daughters to leave the home in miniskirts and sleeveless tops in the first place.Call me old fashion but despite being a part of the new generation I am still very much a part of the old school of thought..

 

 

 Photo: A giant easter egg with a whopping price of R2800 at the Geldhof Chocolate presentation in Sandton city....
 A giant easter egg with a whopping price of R2800 at the Geldhof Chocolate presentation in Sandton city....