i live in a muslim community, my family is muslim though not religious, im an atheist,i don't pray or practice religion as my family doesn't force me but they are still not so open minded as to accept the idea of my atheism..so i just kept it to myself.
now i will move to live and study in a european country, which is like a huge opportunity for me to be the person i truly am (as an open minded free spirit atheist) but the problem is..that i will leave in this octobre which happens to be Ramadan in the islamic calender (the month muslims fast in from sunrise to sunset) i've never ever fasted in my whole life or been a good muslim and i wasnt planning on fasting, until one of the muslim friends from my nationality called me yesterday to gather with other students and decide where to eat at sunset .
it seems that she wants us to fast and eat together and maybe even pray together.. and i dont want to pretend..something that im not anymore and if i don't go to eat with them,
2006-09-01 21:32:17 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Friends
they will start looking at it as "oh she left her country and now she's being a total bi*tch and this is a chance to be a bad person..she thinks "allah" doesn't see her if she move to another country" etc etc etc..
i feel torn, a part of me sees this chance as a way to get out and stop pretending to be amuslim, coz i was never a muslim and i am NOT a muslim.. and this girl from my nationality as i said and i know girls from my country gossip and talk too much.. and a part of me doesn't want to be isolated and doesn't want to risk being in religious problems.. as ive got plenty already and honestly scared of their comments etc etc..
i can't also avoid the students from my home country because i will be a stranger in a new country and will need company and friends..
what should i do?
2006-09-01 21:32:51 · update #1
Do what you want to do. Just keep in mind that your fellow countrymen will probably cut your head off for not being just like them.
2006-09-01 21:36:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm afraid you have a true dilemma...
You have your options quite clear in your mind. Now you must make a decision.
If you wish to remain an atheist, you have to declare yourself as such. Don't "beat about the bush". Tell your fellow students that you have never fasted or done Ramadan in the muslim fashion at home, and that you do not intend to do it now.
That to me would seem the most honest approach.
If they shun you, you will know they are not your friends anyway.
Look for and make friends in your new country.
If you are friendly and outgoing it won't take you long to find friends where you are studying and integrate into new groups of people. Those you have things in common with, such as hobbies, studies, etc. would be the most likely to accept you quickly, as you will have more things to talk about.
If your family support you, morally, noit just financially, you should be alright.
There may be other things to take into consideration...Are you on a scholarship given you by your country?... If so, and your country is run by religious fanatics, they might revoke the grant.
If your parents are paying for your studies, then that should not pose a problem.
I wish you good luck, and success in your studies...
And avoid the fanatics whenever you can, they are not good in ANY religion.
2006-09-02 05:01:23 · answer #2 · answered by abuela Nany 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should be honest and open, you have a right to be the person you want to be, Don't let other people pressure you into being something you are not. If they don't like it that is there problem not yours. I would not show any contempt for their beliefs they have a right to them also. just explain that you are not a muslim and would feel hypicritical fasting or praying but that you enjoy their company and would be thankful and grateful if they included you in some of their activities. Good luck.
2006-09-02 04:40:29 · answer #3 · answered by Jim C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Going against the crowd or being yourself when it isn't always popular isn't always an easy thing to do. It sounds like in your heart, though, you've already made your decision. If you feel strongly enough about your decsion to not practice your country religion in front of your parents, then why does it effect you with your peers? Which group of peoples opinions really matters more to you? It sounds to me like you have a great opertunity to branch out and discover who you really want to be and how you want to choose to live your life. Embrace it! You might as well get use to standing up to peer pressure now--it will occure all our life. Older adults just have different ways of applying it--lol. You will find your place---even if it doesn't feel that way right now. Just be strong and true to your heart. At the end of the day you have to only answer to yourself about how you choose to live your life.
2006-09-02 04:46:32 · answer #4 · answered by Female Racer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Respecting other people isn't a bad thing...but respecting yourself is more important. God gave us choices or shall I say you have choices...choose. Some people get hurt usually during the coming out phase, both physically and mentally...some Christians that I know of have been killed for speaking their mind. Ask yourself are you going to be safe during all of this transition....if not I would say do as the Romans do...
2006-09-02 04:40:21 · answer #5 · answered by mikey 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well sweet heart ..
i am like you a muslim , and i think same as you do ,,
and i live my life normaly ..
so don`t care about any thing and do what ever you need,,
love is ...
love is ...
that a hiding feelings ,which you can`t explain it by words..
which go around and every where , in this world..
looking about its waiting chance, to enjoy the feelings...
and you charm the eyes and the hearts...
quietness sneak into , and to settle down in the mind and the heart ,against of you ...
inside of the heart , to own the heart and the passion..
to control on you...
the love is that feelings which can own the person from inside...
and to take him around the world as it wish ,
with its happiness or its sadness...
wander him any where even on the seas,
and to walk on the seas without diving into deeply inside...
the love....
is that tasty epidemic , which infect all people without exception..
has its magnetic , which attract all together....
and without love , life never to continue in any planet...
love has many great meanings and definitions,
differ from one to another lover..
every lover has his private imagination and definition to the meaning of love...
and has his way in loving ...
that is my imagination about that great words..
by: hazem02@yahoo.com
By hazem02
http://www.thestarlitecafe.com/poems/101/poem_8350348.html
please read more poems for me and leave me your comments..
yours
hazem
2006-09-02 04:41:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋