Meet Shoohada!

So, you think a Muslimah can’t have a family AND achieve her dreams? Meet a woman who is holding down her family and is an author!

Meet Shoohada!

Okay, so the first set of questions will be a little bit about yourself and who you are.

1. Can you use 5 words to describe yourself?

Cheerful, positive, loving, friendly and honest.

2. Can you name 1 type of food you could eat forever? Yes, it has to be one!

It would have to be Biriyani.

3. What are your hobbies?

My main hobbies are reading and writing. I also love spending time with my family and friends.

4. Can you tell us the 5 countries that you would love to visit?

Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Morroco, Thailand and Egypt.

5. Can you tell us 5 things that you dislike?

Being overwhelmed with chores, ironing, wasting time, cold tea and when the milk runs out!

The next set of questions will be about your occupation.

6. There is a perception that Muslim women are illiterate, don’t study further or are forced to stay at home. What are your views on this?

There are muslim women all over the world. For some it may be true but I can only speak for myself and from what I see around me, and I see choice. We all choose to do different things and choose different paths in life. Of course it depends on opportunities that are laid out in front of us. For me, I chose not to further my studies and to marry young and have children. Having a big family was a dream and Alhamdulilh I’ve been blessed with one. I also chose and still choose to stay at home to raise my children. I see myself far from being illerate and it’s unfair to put muslim women into a few boxes that are nothing more than stereotypes.

7. So, moving from the first question, can you tell us; What do you do?

I am a published childrens book author. I write both, muslim faith and non-faith children’s books.

8. What inspired/ motivated you to get into your current field of work?

Seeing the lack of diversity in children’s literature and having children of my own Inspired me to write children’s books.

9. Were there any challenges that you had to face with your line of work?

The biggest challenge for me has been and still is, is making time around my children. Being a mother of six, my days come to a quick end, but Alhamdulilah I still manage to get things done.

10. What is the best thing about what you do?

The best thing about what I do is I absolutely love it! I love to read and write, I find it satisfying and fulfilling.

And finally, the last set of questions are your views on the Islamic dress code and what it means to you.

11. Do you adopt the Islamic dress code?

I like to think I do, I wear a hijab with an abayah.

12. There is a perception that anyone who adopts the Islamic dress code, is forced to wear it. So, were you forced, or was it a personal choice.

Not at all, not one bit! I started practicing Islam at the age of 21 after going through a phase of questioning the purpose of life. I then started learning about Islam and realised hijab is a requirement, from then on I happily wore one. So yes, it was very much a personal choice.

13. If a personal choice, what encouraged you towards the Islamic dress code?

The requirement of hijab in my faith was enough for me. Although I wore the hijab first and then a year later I wore the abayah. Looking back now, I feel I was implementing as I was learning about Islam and how I understood it.

14. What does the hijab mean to you and how does it make you feel?

Hijab means many things to me. It means to dress, speak and behave modestly to please Allah, my Lord. But if we’re just talking about clothing then it means to be modestly covered.

15. Finally, if there was something you could tell non-muslims about the hijab; what would it be?

There’s a human, just like you behind it.

Jzk Sister Shoohada for participating!

 

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