First Annual Sister's Conference Toronto

I had the pleasure of attending the first annual sisters' conference in Toronto today.

I am tired but it's all fresh in my mind and I will attempt writing a post about it and see how I do.

There is something most awesome about being in a hall full of women, and even more awesome when all those women are believing women, my sisters in Islam.

The crowd was largely Somali, which was strange because there are so many Muslim women of other cultures and ethnic backgrounds in this city. It was the first time and I think a bigger hall and more advertising might have drawn in a more diverse crowd. I live in Etobicoke, near Rexdale and that is a largely Somali crowd, and this is where the conference was so I think that might be one reason for the Somali bias.

I have to say, that although I grew up in the middle east and have seen many Somali women in my life, I came across such beautiful faces today, the like of which I have never seen. Maybe I was never really paying attention. Somali women, your features are so unique and so sensual looking, SubhanAllah. I couldn't get over how lovely some of the girls were and how graceful they looked in their flowing Khimars. May Allah bless them and keep them steadfast on the righteous path.

There was a really good mix of speakers. The zealous and cheeky, the experienced and mellow, the funny and diplomatic and the soft spoken and witty. I really enjoyed every lecture and although my personal preference has always been the no-nonsense, strict teacher who tells you things straight up whether you like it or not, I did appreciate all the approaches. Not everyone learns the same and not everyone likes the same.

I had intended to stay for a few hours but I ended up staying the entire day and that gets a bit much for a pregnant lady in her third trimester, but there was enough yummy food and places to lean over and massage your belly. After all, it was a woman only conference (only the speakers were male).

The Misunderstood Muslim Woman

That was the theme of the conference. I don't want to go in to all the topics discussed and issues raised, because that could become a book. I will say however that I felt blessed to be part of a community that Allah has honored with the last testament. A conference won't turn you in to an overnight scholar, but I walked out of there knowing a few more things. I felt empowered and privileged to be part of this unique sisterhood.

Although I felt fortunate to be able to attend, I also constantly felt emotionally overwhelmed. I couldn't help but reflect on my utter misfortune at only beginning to explore my true purpose so late in life. I am no old lady, but gone are those young carefree days, when I had very few responsibilities besides my own education, living off my parents in my comfortable home with all the time on my hands. I wasted that time learning things that are of little use to me, and will be of little use to my Hereafter.

I felt sad for so many of my young family members who are wasting their youth in a similar way right now.

I felt sad for parents who are so misguided thinking they are doing their children a favour by placing all the importance on their secular, worldly education and leaving their true objectives on the periphery of their student lives. We are so afraid, so in love with the world and all that we want our children to have, that we are totally lost and getting weaker and weaker as a nation, as a result of it.

When I was standing in prayer with the ladies today, I noticed many very young teenage girls around me. One of the major signs of the more knowledgeable Muslim is in the perfection of his prayer. Her body language, her hijab, her silent movement and her confidence is a sign in itself of her superiority in knowledge and taqwa (god consciousness).

I was nowhere near that when I was a teenager. In fact many elderly women in my family have not accomplished the beautification and perfection of their prayer in their old age, that these young girls have managed in their early youth. MashaAllah.

So I also came away with a humility and an increased awareness of my ignorance.

That's all I have energy to write right now.

There were many discussions about Hijab and what is permissible and what is not. About family values, responsibilities of man and woman, relations between men and women, careers, marriage, sexuality, current perceptions of non-muslim people about Muslim women, the politicisation of the hijab, cultural baggage, education, financial aid, college, menstruation and so on. It was all just really great.

I am sure I will be bringing them up as my blog matures.

What I will say is that:

My dear sisters in Islam. Those of you who have perfected your hijab, who have the courage to do it in the right way, in the best way. Those of you engaged in this struggle at work places, universities, schools, within your homes, on the subway and out on the street. Those of you who are constantly trying to increase their knowledge of the religion of Allah and finding the way to adhere to the tradition of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). Those of you are the truly liberated women. You are the best of women. You are free of the shackles of fashion, culture and all the "isms" (be it racism, feminism, socialism, chauvinism, whatever-ism). You bow to no man, woman, stone or star. You serve only your Creator and your obedience is only for those who worship Him. You are the only really Free Women in this world. May Allah reward you for every single second of your adherence to His deen. Amen.