Posted By Veiled Muslimah on/at 7/23/2008 05:41:00 PM


Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi Wabarakath,

Ever heard of the phrase, 'Busy as a bee?' Well, Im sure we all have. Currently the phrase fits me like a glove.

Teaching is a hectic, yet fun, job. I've begun my teaching at Kalemahs, Noor Ul Ilm Islamic Summer Retreat, and so far it has been really nice. However, it is very tiring too. Although I just teach three days a week, when I get back home, I just shower and sleep for the next few hours.

This is the first time I've ever officially 'taught' in a class-room, and I like it. I've been thinking about it, and maybe I should pursue it instead of Journalism, but journalism is something I've always liked and wanted to work with. [Decisions, decisions.] Whenever I mention that I wish to do Journalism to people, I get a mixed reaction. I think the reason is that being a Journalist to people means, 'out there and daring' sort of profession which someone who is a Muslim Woman & practicing isn't fit for. But I have to disagree, I think Muslim Women can handle Journalism just fine, besides, you don't have to be on T.V. There are different branches within Journalism that one can pursue [And aren't so 'daring']. And we need Muslim Journalists these days to dispel the myths about Islam that we see in the media.

I was initially teaching kids before, from the age-group of 7-11 year Olds, and then some changes happened and I was put to teaching teenagers. I was a tad bit nervous at first, simply because teenagers are smarter compared to children and you need to be confident and speaking at their level for them to like you. But alhamdulilah, apparently they liked me quite a bit, so I was happy how the class went. Besides I'm younger compared to the other teachers, and could relate to the issues they're dealing with now because it wasn't so long ago that I had to deal with similar issues.

And therefore, blogging has been pushed down the list of my things-to-do. I wanted to update more, but I just couldn't do it, especially with the busy schedule I'm running in. I haven't been using the net much and haven't had the chance to 'keep in touch' with everything and everyone. For me, blogging is a way to let out my thoughts and at the same time, polish up my writing skills. I've always been fond of writing. A friend, who also blogs, suggested that I start writing for online Islamic magazines or sites, and I've thought about it. It seems like an interesting idea.

Here is a link she sent: http://www.muslimwriters.blogspot.com.

It a great site to know of all the writing markets & opportunities that are currently open for writers, especially Muslim Writers.

InshaAllah, I shall try and update as much as I can.

Ma'asalama

P.S- Is it just me, or has it gotten excessively hot compared to last summer?. :(

    Get Feed Share on Digg Share on StumbleUpon Share on Delicious
Posted in

14 comments:

redstar said...

I see no reason why there can't be more muslim women as journalists. If Sheikha Lubna can do what she does, muslim women of all professions can surely be free to follow their chosen career paths. Go for it!

I think it's cooler compared to last summer, funnily enough :)

Veiled Muslimah said...

Hi redstar, its been awhile. :)

Thanks for the encouragement. It's a bit hard to explain, but Journalism would require a lot of, lets say, time, commitment and getting 'out there' and other things like flying out the country at random moment. And sometimes, thats not exactly feasible for Muslim Women, especially if they do Hijab [The covering we do], and refrain from interacting with a lot of non-related males. We can't just get up and leave, there are a lot of other factors that come into it. Oh and Sheikha Lubna is royalty, things would be kinda difference for her. :p

But obviously, there are different branches within Journalism, and I intend to deal with writing compared to say, being a T.V Anchor.

PS- Why can't I ever access your blog?

Veiled Muslimah said...

Oh and for some reason I didn't really feel the heat last summer, this time I do.

Or maybe its because I'm more in the heat these days.

redstar said...

I just have a Blogger account for commenting, so there's no blog of mine to see!

I fully understand what you mean. I'm sure, however, that there are plenty of ways you could contribute as a writer and still stay within the realms of what you feel is acceptable.

nuh ibn zbigniew gondek said...

As salaam alaikum.

This is a wonderful resource post. Thanks for pulling together all this information.

Ma'as salaama,
nuh ibn

Veiled Muslimah said...

Redstar, you should run a blog. And yes, that is what I wish to do, I'm sure there is something out there that I could still do.

Nuh,

Wa Alaykumsalam, you're welcome brother. :)

MASS said...

Salam aleykum
Its great that you want to be a journalist, I suggest you go for it,, its far more easier to be a teacher, and we have a lot of sisters aleady doing that..

but again its stressful, and probably at times you will need to be "out there".

and its not easy to keep 100% on deen, thats the tough part. but we need sisters like you to present their views in an objective descent manner, its definatly a jihad. buuut you might have to cut back on it after a while and stick to freelancing from home for family and stuff..

try to get some training early during uni and try to publish some of your writings.

betawfeeq inshaAllah.

Verve Verse said...

If only the would be Journalist like not forget her file at home and her hand before closing the car door :p

Veiled Muslimah said...

Wa alaykumsalam Mass,

thanks for the encouragement. :) jazakallah khair. Yeah inshaAllah I'm going to try and publish, but i've been so busy this month that i haven't gotten time. Maybe in August inshaAllah when i have more time on my hands. haha yeah thats the good thing about it too, you can work from home.

Ummblog, don't mention the unmentionables!! :@ lol. I'm not clumsy, honest. [Just slightly disoriented].

Mehmudah said...

Salaams!

A career as a journo and aspirations to be a teacher!! man, you sound like me! as my blog will doubtless tell you, I am a (struggling) writer. learning the ropes of journalism is extreeeeemely tough... but also rewarding in its strange crazy way. NOT monetarily, atleast not really until the first 3 years. As for teaching, i always wanted to be a teacher also, but ain't possible just now. and I agree: gaining success as a teacher is wayyyyyyyyyy easier, and probably more rewarding emotionally as well as monitarily.

ciao- best, khaki

Veiled Muslimah said...

Khaki,

Maybe we're long lost sisters. ;) Yeah, I think journalism might not be that rewarding moneterality, but it gives satisfaction in other ways, and maybe thats what im looking for. Wa Allahu aalam. Lets see how it goes.

If all else fails, I can always turn towards teaching. :p

Verve Verse said...

If all else fails, I can always turn towards teaching. :p <--- "Anyone can talk but not everyone can touch hearts." - UmmBlog


(Just annoying you :P)

Anonymous said...

CHINA WILL DESTROY ISLAM!!

The Muslim terrorists in Xinjiang, China made the mistake of provoking the People's Republic of China and the People's Liberation Army, by attacking and murdering 16 Chinese police officers, in the run-up to the Beijing Olympic Games.

When the Muslim terrorists attack the West, the Western governments respond in a very disorganised, primitive way which actually strengthens the Islamic terrorists and gives them confidence to continue their campaign of violence, death and intimidation.

However, the Chinese are much smarter, and ultimately much stronger than the Westerners. The Chinese believe in only one thing: the preservation of Chinese culture and idea that China will be paramount in the world. The Chinese play a long-term thousand year strategy of eventual conquest of all nations. The Chinese are practical atheists and do not believe in any false god, which they consider superstition. The religion of the Chinese is THE CHINESE PEOPLE... and it is a very strong religion.

China has 1.3 billion people, making it the most highly populated country on earth. They have nuclear weapons and by far, the largest standing army on the planet. The official state ideology of China is COMMUNISM, and ATHEISM, and thus they are hostile to all religions and consider all religions to be "cults". China allows religions to exist on its soil on one condition: that they do not threaten the paramount supremacy of the Communist Party of China, and the integrity of Chinese traditional culture, which was strongly influenced by the godless religions of Buddhism and Confucianism, as well as the official state ideology of "Communism with Chinese Characteristics".

The foolish primitive Muslim terrorists are now provoking China. They have made a huge mistake. China will eventually invade all the countries of Central Asia, and settle hundreds of millions of Han Chinese (the predominant ethnic group of China which makes up 90% of its population), in Central Asia. China will destroy and eradicate Islam throughout all the nations of Central Asia. Then, 30-50 years from now, China will influence, control, and invade the other countries where Islam currently exists, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Arab nations of the Middle East.

China will take the oil from the Arab and Middle Eastern nations, and convert them away from Islam, making them atheist Communists.

Islam will be a forgotten religion in history, it will be removed from the history books.

This is what I think will happen because the foolish Islamic terrorists have provoked China.

Anonymous said...

Watch out, Islam!! CHINA IS COMING!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQFEDdaG64o&feature=related

Post a Comment

Hi :) Please be civil.


About

Musings, Articles and Ramblings of a Muslim Woman which range from a variety of different subjects.

Location: Dubai - United Arab Emirates.
The believers are only those who, when Allâh is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Qur'ân) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone).
Surat Al-Anfal - Verse 2
The Holy Qurán