How Islam is like in your country or town? (Earth, tradition)

[shikinr]

Assalamualaikum, my fellow Muslims.

Almost all of us are scattered around the world and there are many different cultures and ways on how we celebrate our Islamic occasions and i really want to know how Islam is like in your country or town. Non-muslims too can participate on how the muslims are like in your country.

Let me start by what Islam is like in Singapore. Well basically, i am an Asian and my race is Malay.
Brief history: Islam came to Southeast Asia by Arab traders in the 13th century and since then most Malay royals/Malays rapidly converted to Islam. Singapore grew to be a multi-racial society(majority being Chinese) but we have always respected each other's race, religion and beliefs.

Of course we practice Islam like any of us around the world i go for religious classes, Quranic recitals and Islamic teachings in mosques.

Islam is being respected and understood so much by the government and other Singaporean races such that most of the food here are labelled Halal. So we enjoy a lot of different international cuisines from chinese to french!

During the month of Ramadhan, we have this huge night market (opened every night) in a place called Geylang Serai that sells a lot of home neccessities, Eid Mubarak clothes and food(my family and i drop by once every week after terawih).

During Eid Mubarak, young children to teenagers are given green packets filled with money. This is just a part of our Malay culture We also wear Malay costumes that cover us from our neck to our ankles along with our hijab(women). There are also Malay costumes for men too.

There's a lot more, but i'll just stop here. I really do love to hear from my brothers and sisters of Islam on how Islam is like in your country.

Salam.

[fullyveiled muslimah]

Well over here in America we have a grand mix. We have the indian-pakistan culture which is strong in chicago (where I am). There are many arab communities, but they are only recognized by the signs on the stores and things that are in arabic. There are many more african-american muslims here than any other race, but we ar scattered about the city. The mode of dress differs for each race. The indian-pakistan culture is strong here. They usually wear their traditional dress and are easily distinguished from the other muslims. Personally, I like the fabrics they use but I don't necessarilly like the actual outfits. The arabs usually dress in western style clothing. Those who dress according to the sunnah usually do so according to their culture. The african-americans are an interesting group because we have no culture of our own. We have a tendancy to dress in western-style clothing. Those of us who dress according to sunnah try to stick as close to it as we can. I make my own clothes, so therefore I can add my own flare while still maintaining proper islamic dress. The Nigerians, which I forgot to mention, dress according to their culture also while maintaining proper Islamic dress.

As for our popularity, it's way down. The non-muslims for the most part tend to make fun of those of us who dress Islamicaly. We are normally discriminated against or treated poorly in places of business. Approaching government buildings are a nightmare since 9/11. To be mocked and jeered at are a normal part of the day. Many muslims who were once accustomed to dressing Islamically, have abandoned their clothes on account of this constant mockery. Being made the butt of jokes and the recipeints of threats of bodily harm go with the territory if we wanna look muslim. Non-muslims of the area will deny that its that bad, but that's only because they are on the other end of the joke.

[TashaN]

Originally Posted by shikinr

Let me start by what Islam is like in Singapore. Well basically, i am an Asian and my race is Malay.

Walikum Alssalam sis.

I live currently in Malaysia (just studying) and i have been to Singapore two times.

The first time was just to spend my holiday and the second one to witness one of my best friend's wedding. He got married with a Malay Muslim girl. Her family are so wonderful and amazing, we spent 2 days with them.

I went to santosa (i forgot how to spell it ) and it was a great experince for me.

You are most welcome in the forum.

[TashaN]

Originally Posted by fullyveiled muslimah

As for our popularity, it's way down. The non-muslims for the most part tend to make fun of those of us who dress Islamicaly. We are normally discriminated against or treated poorly in places of business. Approaching government buildings are a nightmare since 9/11. To be mocked and jeered at are a normal part of the day. Many muslims who were once accustomed to dressing Islamically, have abandoned their clothes on account of this constant mockery. Being made the butt of jokes and the recipeints of threats of bodily harm go with the territory if we wanna look muslim. Non-muslims of the area will deny that its that bad, but that's only because they are on the other end of the joke.

The more you are pateitn the more you are rewarded God willing.

[63] And the servants of (Allah) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, "Peace!" (25:63)

I want to comment in the clothes according to Sunnah. What do you mean by that?

Is it wearing like what prophet Mohammed "peace be upon him" wore or somthing else?

[akshar]

I live in the UK. There are no muslims in my community. But the whites call evryone brown "paki". A hindu is automatically graded a muslim.

[fullyveiled muslimah]

Originally Posted by The Truth

The more you are pateitn the more you are rewarded God willing.

[63] And the servants of (Allah) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, "Peace!" (25:63)

I want to comment in the clothes according to Sunnah. What do you mean by that?

Is it wearing like what prophet Mohammed "peace be upon him" wore or somthing else?

I don't really understand what you are asking here bro. Are you asking if we dress islamically? Or are you asking if we dress culturally?

Those of us who dress as muslims do so meeting the requirements of Islam. I am a black person. We generally do not have a specific culture at all. When we decide that we will dress according to Islam, we do it just like that. We try not to dress according to someone else's culture. For instance, I wear a veil on my face, an overgarment, and a head-scarf. Most cultural dress do not wear a veil, so I am distinguished already. I don't appear as a pakistani or an arab at all. I guess that's what you're asking me.

[TashaN]

Originally Posted by fullyveiled muslimah

I don't really understand what you are asking here bro. Are you asking if we dress islamically? Or are you asking if we dress culturally?

Those of us who dress as muslims do so meeting the requirements of Islam. I am a black person. We generally do not have a specific culture at all. When we decide that we will dress according to Islam, we do it just like that. We try not to dress according to someone else's culture. For instance, I wear a veil on my face, an overgarment, and a head-scarf. Most cultural dress do not wear a veil, so I am distinguished already. I don't appear as a pakistani or an arab at all. I guess that's what you're asking me.

I was just commenting in this.

Originally Posted by fullyveiled muslimah

Those of us who dress according to sunnah try to stick as close to it as we can.

I was wondering, in your opnion, what does it mean to dress according to the Sunnah.

Do you mean in the way God described that in the Quran or in the way how prophet Mohammed and his companions (men and women) were dressing?

Thanks in advacne sis.

[Terrywoodenpic]

Over many years, I have worked with many Muslims , Hindu' sand, Sikhs, Most have worn british or their home nations national dress.
There has been a strong tendancy for Muslims here to change from their usual national dress to Arab style dressing.
As we are told this is not actually a Muslim Faith requirement, Why is this?

[not4me]

well..There is no certain islamic style in clothing, muslims can wear watever they want as long as it fulfills the requirements of modesty according to what Islam commands.

There has been a strong tendancy for Muslims here to change from their usual national dress to Arab style dressing.
As we are told this is not actually a Muslim Faith requirement, Why is this?

well i am not sure but i think to be labeled and distiguished as muslims.