Assalamu'alaikum!
Today I went to my husband's cousins' school for their International Day. The girls are in the 3rd and 4th grades. Their school (elementary to high school) was celebrating all of the different countries the student body represented. It's like Multicultural Day back in the states. The only thing that I did like better was the students were presented to the parents and other attendees by their country in a parade. One student would hold a sign of the flag and name of the country while the others would follow behind dressed up in traditional garb...some even carrying traditional weapons, instruments, etc. I really thought it was beautiful! In addition, they all had their own national anthem or song that represented their country playing in the background. The only kids I kind of felt bad for were the ones that were representing their country by themselves or with one other student. They all seemed very happy, though.
After the parade, we were invited to the stage to watch performances by the students. A few of the performances had students wearing mini skirts and cropped shirts exposing the bellies of girls. I know the school isn't particulary an Islamic school...but they do teach Islamic Studies and it is located in the Middle East. A specific dress code isn't enforced strictly here...but there are signs everywhere asking people to dress modestly. Of course, there are many people that ignore them, but I think schools should apply similar rules...even during events such as this. In fact, even in America our schools had rules about the length of skirts, tops that were acceptable, etc.
I won't get into details about the older girls and their dancing...but I will say that I kind of feel like the innocence of younger girls (around elementary ages) is being stripped away so early. I couldn't believe some of the moves on these 5-8 year olds. It really scared me to watch a seven year old with heavy make up...shake her a** and belly dance. I couldn't even watch! Even my husband's cousins were trying to look as sexy as they could with their dance moves. Did I mention that his aunt put blonde highlights in their hair? What is the world coming to? No wonder the new generations of tweens and teens have more issues now more than ever before. Look at the way they are being raised. It also makes me worried about raising my own children (when I have them, Insha'Allah) when the peer pressure is worse than it has ever been.
I used to teach at an Islamic school and I remember talking to parents about the changes their kids were going through. I taught 4th-6th grades. My eye was especially on those sixth graders. I can't believe how many parents were aware of the things their kids were doing on facebook, myspace, etc....and how they made it sound like they were helpless. They felt like they couldn't do anything to stop it or control it...because then the kids talk about all the other parents that allow it.
I found a great series of parenting posts by Umm Reem on Muslim Matters. Here is her Author Archives. One of my favorite posts is about Twilight! May Allah (swt) help us raise children that are pious, obedient, and righteous. Ameen.
Today I went to my husband's cousins' school for their International Day. The girls are in the 3rd and 4th grades. Their school (elementary to high school) was celebrating all of the different countries the student body represented. It's like Multicultural Day back in the states. The only thing that I did like better was the students were presented to the parents and other attendees by their country in a parade. One student would hold a sign of the flag and name of the country while the others would follow behind dressed up in traditional garb...some even carrying traditional weapons, instruments, etc. I really thought it was beautiful! In addition, they all had their own national anthem or song that represented their country playing in the background. The only kids I kind of felt bad for were the ones that were representing their country by themselves or with one other student. They all seemed very happy, though.
After the parade, we were invited to the stage to watch performances by the students. A few of the performances had students wearing mini skirts and cropped shirts exposing the bellies of girls. I know the school isn't particulary an Islamic school...but they do teach Islamic Studies and it is located in the Middle East. A specific dress code isn't enforced strictly here...but there are signs everywhere asking people to dress modestly. Of course, there are many people that ignore them, but I think schools should apply similar rules...even during events such as this. In fact, even in America our schools had rules about the length of skirts, tops that were acceptable, etc.
I won't get into details about the older girls and their dancing...but I will say that I kind of feel like the innocence of younger girls (around elementary ages) is being stripped away so early. I couldn't believe some of the moves on these 5-8 year olds. It really scared me to watch a seven year old with heavy make up...shake her a** and belly dance. I couldn't even watch! Even my husband's cousins were trying to look as sexy as they could with their dance moves. Did I mention that his aunt put blonde highlights in their hair? What is the world coming to? No wonder the new generations of tweens and teens have more issues now more than ever before. Look at the way they are being raised. It also makes me worried about raising my own children (when I have them, Insha'Allah) when the peer pressure is worse than it has ever been.
I used to teach at an Islamic school and I remember talking to parents about the changes their kids were going through. I taught 4th-6th grades. My eye was especially on those sixth graders. I can't believe how many parents were aware of the things their kids were doing on facebook, myspace, etc....and how they made it sound like they were helpless. They felt like they couldn't do anything to stop it or control it...because then the kids talk about all the other parents that allow it.
I found a great series of parenting posts by Umm Reem on Muslim Matters. Here is her Author Archives. One of my favorite posts is about Twilight! May Allah (swt) help us raise children that are pious, obedient, and righteous. Ameen.
I sigh each time I send my girls out to the world, and I pray for them. I told hubby, no matter where we live THEY will have to decide what is right and wrong.We follow the deen and set the stage but in the end they must find their way. I am a convert, I HAD to find my way and I wish with all my heart my children will not have to take the route I did to get here. May Allah guide us all, *amee*
ReplyDeleteThe festival sounds lovely...I never appreciated those things before though because I feel sometimes you get put into a box and I hate nationalism in all forms.
Salam alaikum.
The festival does sound very nice, but I can imagine what you mean about 'the girls dancing'. It really saddens me to see girls being taught their value based on their 'moves'. You know, I read an article the other day (alright, other month,LOL) that was discussing the 'new kind of Disney movie'..it said that the new Disney princess is got a lot more like sexual innuendo so to speak...the heroine is 'hot' cuz that's what 7 year old girls want to 'be'. *So sad*
ReplyDeleteMay Allah help us all :)
I love international festivals!
ReplyDeleteAnd I rememeber I visited my cousins in their private school in Jordan once for a fashion show and I was so shocked because of how everyone was dressed... not Islamic at all.