Rose Hamid and Abdalrahman Aboelmajd discussing silent protest

We have a fresh opportunity to reflect about the brave American Muslim woman who stood in silent protest to ugliness and hate.

At this point Mrs.Rose Hamid, will speak not only about her reflections on the Trump event, but also about her views.

 

Rose Hamid.

She is president of the nonprofit Muslim Women of the Carolinas, whose mission is to bring the diverse Muslim women in the area together to get to know one another and do good works.

She's a Flight Attendant who wears hijab on flights .

Her mother is from Columbia South America. Her father and husband are Palestinian.She was born in Buffalo New York and grew up in Cleveland. She has 3 grown children.

 

Q: You were Wearing a headscarf and a shirt that read, "Salam, I come in peace", we want to know what your purpose for going there .          

RH: I went with a group of people who are very active in social justice issues. We planned to stand in silent protest against hate-speech. As a Muslim woman, who wears hijab, I knew I would be noticed so I wanted to wear something that reflected my faith. My son, who owns www.coolmuslimshirts.com , came up with the design of the shirt

 

Q: Have you got any idea about your silent protest to the ugliness?

 What about your reflection on the Trump event?

RH: I believe the majority of the people in the world are decent people. Before I stood in protest the Trump supporters around me were very nice and welcoming. It wasn't until Trump started accusing Syrian refugees of all being supporters of ISIS and other things about Muslims that the crowd became hateful.

 

Q: You're saying things that need to be said.I wonder what you aimed to show.

RH:  I aimed to let people know that what Trump is saying about Muslims being dangerous and hateful is not correct. My goal was to send a message that we as Americans do not agree with his ideas of treating Muslims as if we are all terrorist .

 

Q: We see the news of your bravery Standing  in silent protest to the ugliness.could you elaborate on your feelings and how you are or not afraid ? 

RH: The only explanation I have for why I was not afraid is because the mercy of Allah surrounded me. The people around me were nice before, so I didn't think the other people would try to hurt me.


Q: Haven’t you witnessed much hatred over the years ?

RH:  Alhamdulillah, I have not witnessed much hatred towards me over the years. I work flights where I see hundreds of people every day and I have never had anyone treat me badly. I know there are others who have been treated with hate. Insha Allah we can find the strength to follow the example of the Prophet (pbuh) and show that love is stronger than hate .

 

Q: Well, how did prophet Muhammad(pbuh) show that love is stronger ?

RH:  When we remember the life of Prophet Muhammad, pbuh there are many examples of how she showed love in the face of hate. For example when his neighbor, who used to throw garbage at him every day, did not throw garbage at him for a few days he became worried about her and when he discovered she was sick and he went to visit her.

 

Q: I wonder how you see the current political environment against a Muslim woman .

RH: Are you asking about the current political environment against Muslim women in America or around the world? In America I can be a better Muslim than I can in most so called Muslim countries. The American first amendment protects my freedom of religion. I can follow my faith as I learn from a variety of scholars. I am not required to follow the ideologies of leaders in countries who, many times, mix up culture and politics with religion .

 

Q: I want to know if any one stands beside you in your plight as Philly Makeup Artist did .

RH:  I have had a lot of support. One of the Trump supporters at the rally took my hand as I was leaving and said "I'm so sorry this is happening". My niece, Tatiana (the daughter of my sister) has a huge following and was very supportive. I have also had an outpouring of support from people all over America and all over the world, including the management in my company.

 

Q: I want to how you navigates the tensions that arise between your profession and your faith in a post-9/11 world and when you decided to wear the hijab .

 RH:  I started working as a flight attendant in 1985. I started wearing hijab in 1995.At first the company did not agree to me wearing hijab while flying so I worked in the flight attendant training department. In 2005 I was informed that I could fly while wearing hijab.Since then I have not had any trouble from passengers.

Q: I didn’t want why everyone of them hated Muslims .

RH:  All Americans do not hate Muslims. What you see in the news is a small minority. Unfortunately there are people around the world who claim to be Muslims who are doing horrible things in the name of Islam.And that scares people. Muslims need to study the Deen and learn what Allah has ordained instead of listening to leaders who have motives not in keeping with the laws of Allah.

Q: I didn’t want why everyone of them hated Muslims .

RH:  All Americans do not hate Muslims. What you see in the news is a small minority. Unfortunately there are people around the world who claim to be Muslims who are doing horrible things in the name of Islam.And that scares people. Muslims need to study the Deen and learn what Allah has ordained instead of listening to leaders who have motives not in keeping with the laws of Allah.

Q:  As many immigrant groups are concerned with the loss of culture/heritage while America described as a melting pot .

RH:America is a country of immigrants. A part of a poem on the statue of Liberty says:

"Give me your tired, your poor ,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free ”

 

Immigrants come to America and tend to settle around people who are like them. They want to hold on to their culture and identity. But some feel that immigrants need to fully assimilate to their new land and melt into the melting pot where everyone is the same. But what makes American great is the diversity of our people. Instead of a melting pot, a better idea is a salad that has many ingredients that come together to make the whole salad better but are still individual, distinct ingredients. We should find a balance between maintain our identity while being a part of and contributing to the greater community.

 

Q:  As a Flight Attendant you've memorable stories about passengers’ reactions to you, tell us one of them, please .

RH:  There was a lady who was so excited to see me wearing hijab while working as a flight attendant. She was a Christian who took my hands and said it sent such a powerful message and she was so proud of me.

 

Another time I was walking through the airport with my crew and a lady stopped to ask what company we worked for. She said she would always fly our company because they appreciate diversity by hiring a hijab wearing woman.

 

Q: You were a Girl Scout leader for your daughter from the time she was in first grade until she graduated high school, could you elaborate on that, please ?

RH: I was a Girl Scout leader from the time my daughter was in first grade until she graduated from high school, 12 years.  I wanted my children to build camaraderie with their fellow Muslims while also engaging with people of other faiths and backgrounds. I wanted them to learn that being a Muslim living in America didn't mean they had to choose one identity over the other.

 

Q: I didn’t know how you see the Scouting program is in harmony with Islamic ideals.

RH:  Yes the Scouting program has elements that are in harmony with Islamic ideals. Scouting promotes values like honesty, fairness, courage, compassion, good character, sisterhood/brotherhood, confidence, and citizenship. They also provide opportunities for scouts to learn practical skills which help them in life.  All of these are ideals that Muslims strive for as well.

 

Q: you said: An example of these ideals in Islamic doctrine is the following verse from the Quran: “You are the best of people ever raised for the good of mankind because you have been raised to serve others: you enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil and believe in God.” 3:110 I want to know how you are shown as the best.

RH: Muslims should always strive to show that we are the best of people by following the guidance Allah has provided in the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet, (pbuh). We should also stand up to forbid what is evil. Quran 4:135 O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be against rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both.

 

Abdalrahman: Thanks for your courage is standing in silent protest to the ugliness.Let me thank Linda ILham Barto, Without her great effort, we cannot manage this interview.