I have been thinking about my blog-title, so I changed it. What do you think ?
The title of my blog used to be "Al-norwegiyyah" ( translated from arabic: "The norwegian girl" ).
People I didn´t know used to call me "al norwegiyyah" when I was travelling in Palestine and Jordan with my husband.
Have you heard about Norway ? No ?
I´m not surprised. Many people actually believe it´s a part of Sweden...
I rarely never thought much about my nationality before I came to Islam. My family used to attend some celebrations every year; like Christmas, and the norwegian national day. I was not even exited about those celebrations as a teenager. My family taught me to be a human, not much of a norwegian. I felt different than other norwegians under a lot of circumstances. Especially when I had to attend the national day at school. Then we had to walk together in a train,- waving with the norwegian flag, praising the king and the government.
I think I need to write another, longer post to be able to tell you about my opinions on Norway..
A long time ago, I already understood that: I never felt really connected to Norway, or to the people here.
So being named as "that norwegian girl" in Palestine, Jordan ( or from some arab people in Norway too ) did not fit me... But people who I know respect my view on this issue. They use other cute names for me instead.
So.. Me and my husband have been travelling a lot these last years. We visited his family and experienced many cities in Palestine and Jordan. I remember our first trip and the first conversations with people. I did not understand much arabic, but I could see their smiling faces. They met me with a big amount of hospitality. I loved it !
I understood some words, like: "Habibi" ( my love ), "Anna bahebbek" ( I love you ), "Asjnabi" ( Foreigner ), surah´s from the Qur´aan and some words from al-fusha: original Arabic. But this was not enough to understand palestinian-arabic at all. Some of my hubby´s family speak english so the ones who were able to, helped me to understand a lot of arabic.
When I presented myself for people they would sit there helping me by telling the words I did not know. I laughed a lot and I was really embarrassed by my weak skills in arabic. But the people there were happy just for my efforts.
When I went to the souq or to the mall I tried to look as little "asjnabi" as possible,- but people knew it anyway.. They could tell from my eyes and my Islamic but foreign clothes.
It´s true when people say you´ll get to know yourself by travelling.. I was happy, free and comfortable being there. Everything fitted my needs. For the first time in many years, mentally and spiritually,- I felt at HOME.
Not because of the place or the surroundings, but because I was surrounded by muslims, the community was built up on Islam and the muslims made me feel home. They did anything to protect me.
I did not become arabic, palestinian or jordanian. I will never be and that is not my identity. People will maybe always call me a `norwegiyeh`... But I am first and foremost a muslimah. My soul no longer knows any borders on this earth. That´s freedom. I belong to God ( Allah ). The muslim nation has NO borders.
Islam binds people together on Aqīdah - belief in God (Allah) and His last messenger Muhammad ( ﷺ ).
Abu Dawood narrates that The Prophet Muhammad ( ﷺ ) said:
"He is not one of us who calls for "assabiyyah ( nationalism / tribalism ) or who fights for "assabiyyah" or who dies for "assabiyyah".
In another hadith, the Prophet ( ﷺ ) is found stating:
"Leave it ( nationalism, racism, and patriotism ), it is rotten" ( Muslim and Bukhari ). There are several ahadiths on this issue. Not only does Islam forbid people from grouping on nationalistic ties, but it also prohibits the establishment of more than ONE state, irrespective of whether these states are based on nationalism or otherwise. The only state that is allowed for Muslims is the Islamic State, which is governed exclusively by Islam.
Islam gives me freedom. I am so happy to be a muslimah. People all around the world should learn how dangerous nationalism really is. It only creates division and hatred.