Published Tuesday, February 11, 2003
explained, explored
Herald Staff Writer
Randa Shabayek, a native of Egypt, wears a scarf on her head to show piety.
More often than not in the United States, Mrs. Shabayek's head scarf draws unnecessary attention to her and her family when they're out in public -- especially since Sept. 11, 2001.
Mrs. Shabayek said it seems every time she and her family board a plane, they get singled out and searched. The last time they went to the airport for an international flight, her three children had to sit and wait while she and her husband were thoroughly searched.
"They check your shoes. They check everything," she said. "We're used to it. They say it's random, but ..."
No matter how much attention her scarf draws, Mrs. Shabayek won't stop wearing it. She is Muslim and the scarf is a part of her religion. Mrs. Shabayek, a leader in the Islamic Center Mosque, Masjid Alkhair, in Youngstown, is one of more than 1 billion Muslims worldwide.
She spoke Sunday at Dwelling Place, a House of Prayer, in Farrell about the teachings of Islam. The presentation was a part of a series designed to explore differences through dialog and to show ways people are socially and spiritually alike.
Wearing a scarf allows people to focus on her personality rather than her appearance, she said. Though she does show her face, she said, some Islamic women who are drop-dead gorgeous feel more comfortable showing only their eyes to avoid becoming the center of attention.
"A woman should wear it because their beauty is for themselves and their families," she said. "We cover the whole body except for the hands and the face. It's not just the look that's important, but also what's in the heart. It's what's inside."
Debbie Mageed, also from the Islamic Center Mosque in Youngstown, said scarves were worn in biblical days as a sign of modesty for men as well as women.
"It's been a part of Christianity for such a long time. Jesus' mother wore it," she said.
Islam is an Arabic word that means to show submission to the will of Allah, or God. Mrs. Shabayek explained that Muslims must perform five acts, or pillars, in order to truly worship Allah.
There is the belief in the shehada, "There is no god but God, and Mohammed is his prophet"; salat, or prayer five times a day; fasting during the holy month of Ramadan; zakat, the sharing of alms with the poor and needy; and the Hajj, the pilgrimage to the house of Allah, known as the Kaaba in the city of Mecca.
About 2 million Muslim pilgrims gathered Saturday in Mecca, the holiest of the three cities of Islam, to perform the hajj pilgrimage. The hajj peaked Monday with prayers at Mount Arafat, a hill southwest of Mecca. At dawn on Monday, pilgrims trekked from Mina, which is a tent city, to Mount Arafat. The time spent at Mount Arafat is supposed to symbolize Judgment Day, when Islam says every person will stand before God and answer for his or her deeds, both good and evil.
According to Islamic teachings, the hajj is a spiritual journey that cleanses the soul and wins absolution. A Muslim who performs the hajj washes away all sins and returns home free of sin, much like a newborn. The pilgrimage to Mecca, birthplace of Mohammed and home to Islam's holiest shrine, is required once in a lifetime for all Muslims who are able and can afford the trip. Mecca is in Saudi Arabia, south of Mount Arafat. Muslims can travel there anytime for their pilgrimage.
Mohammed delivered his last sermon at Mount Arafat in March 632, three months before he died. Muslims believe that during that sermon, the last passage of the Quran, their holy book, was revealed to Mohammed, Mrs. Shabayek said.
"When the Quran was revealed to Mohammed, he didn't know how to read or write. He was in the desert," she said.
Mrs. Shabayek said she and her husband have already made the pilgrimage. However, they could return in the name of someone else who isn't able to make the trip.
At the end of the pilgrimage, pilgrims and Muslims will celebrate the start of Eid al-Adha, or the feast of sacrifice, by slaughtering a camel, cow, lamb or sheep and will share the meat with the poor.
The sacrifice represents Abraham's intended sacrifice of his son, but God sending a lamb instead, Mrs. Shabayek said.
About 15 people came out Sunday to hear Mrs. Shabayek's presentation on Islam, many wanting to know more about the religion.
"I just have a million more questions," Barbara Flickinger, program director, said after the program.
Helen French of New Castle agreed. "I loved this," she said.
"I sit and watch the television and wonder how those people could believe it's right to kill," she said of the terrorist attacks on the United States. "I asked (Mrs. Shabayek) and she said that's not how it is at all."
Jane Leyde of Hermitage also attended and had many questions throughout the program.
"We're so quick to judge people's culture and personal preference," she said. "We had to wear hats to church for such a long time."
Mrs. Mageed, who converted from Christianity after she married a Muslim, said while she was a Christian she always had questions about her religion. After she began learning the teachings of Islam, she said she learned more about Christianity as well.
"The difference is, part of Islam is to think. It has to all make sense," she said. "In Christianity you have to have faith."
In March the Dwelling Place series continues with Pat Marshall, who will speak on the native Mayan traditions in Mexico. In April, Donna Winn will speak about Native American traditions.