I’ve had a lot of conversations about politics, religion and and other issues over the past few days. One of these conversations was with two female English students at the University. They wanted to know my opinion on the hijab (possibly thinking about what’s been happening in France), on how Western women dress and on the American guy who was planning to burn the Koran. We had a good chat and shared our different perspectives on these issues.
Afterwards, I was reflecting on the common Western perception that women in Islamic countries are oppressed. From speaking to these two women, however, I didn’t get the impression that they were oppressed. Wearing the hijab, for example, was for them a choice they had made that for them was very important to their identity as Muslim women.
I know I shouldn’t make judgements on an entire culture based on a conversation with two people, but for me it represents a much more reliable source than the media back home.
In other conversations, mainly with the other international volunteers, I’ve found myself sitting on the fence over some things. This isn’t because I’m shy in voicing an opinion, as those of you who know me would agree, but because at this stage I don’t consider myself to know enough about “the issues”. I read up a little bit on the conflict before I left Scotland, but deliberately didn’t do too much research as I wanted to find out about the realities of life in the West Bank for myself.
I was speaking to Hakim, the director of Project Hope the other day, and quoted something someone said to me during my first week In Northern Ireland: “If you think you know what’s going on in Northern Ireland, you know nothing. If you’re totally confused, then you’re beginning to learn.” I’m just beginning to learn.
In terms of volunteering, I’ve had a meeting with the local University who are looking to set up a Creative Writing group for some students in their English Department. I should know by the end of week more details, but I’m hoping it could start up from as early as next week.
I’ve also been persuaded to do some English classes to bulk up my schedule. Initially, I felt a wee bit nervous about doing this but, having looked out a few resources, I think I should do fine. (By comparison, I’ve realised I’m actually feeling pretty relaxed about doing Creative Writing workshops.) Right now, I’m just keen to get stuck in.
2 comments:
'Lots of conversations' is good. It's where the learning comes from. Lots of kebabs is slightly different...
I remember when I went to Easterhouse as a young, green, fresh-out-of college minister. I thought I knew it all, and that all that was necessary was to put my certanties into practice. I realised very quickly that I knew next to nothing. But I also realised - thankfully - that if I was to learn anything at all, it was from the local people. They were the ones who had lived with, and through, some troubled times. They were worth listenning to. They were good teachers. That's when I really started to learn. And, hopefully, I've continued to do that over the years. So your comments about NI, and your approach to the issues in Nablus, seem to me to be spot on. No one knows better what the issues are than the people who are living with these issues.
And all the best with the English classes, by the way. But doesn't that mean you have to be able to speak English first? Or is that what they actually speak in Edinburgh?
Good on ya ...
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