MY Voice Volume 8 Issue 2 Taking Up Space

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Open Positions:

Who can apply?

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A Light Meant to Stand Out ZAINAB FATIMA, 19

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fter centuries of darkness and moral downfall, the coming of the Qur’an was considered a light and a hope for the poor, unfortunate, and depressed. The man who was depressed at the status quo of society was blessed with the message that prioritized perfection of good character right after the worship of the One God. Members of the community were commanded to fulfill the rights of neighbours, travellers, family members, and other fellow beings. Allah (May He be praised and exalted (SWT)) made social rights and standing up against injustice so crucial to the success of every civilization that every prophet He sent had a social responsibility as well.

For example, Prophet Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH)) said that Allah (SWT) has “enjoined upon me prayer and zakah [mandatory charity] as long as I remain alive'' (Qur’an 19:31).

All of us have an obligation to “Who said contribute to the construction of the taking a stand society we live in. The ideal way to is easy? give back to this society is to treat people well, volunteer, and follow the laws as long as they do not Who said that a contradict the commands of Allah revolution comes with victory against all odds 23 (SWT) while proudly upholding our religious values and beliefs. Not in society years later. Had the Prophet just that this represents Islam in a (PBUH) not taken any action and without positive light, thus giving the fearfully sat at home, then the evil in struggle?” opportunity for us to call the community society would have prevailed and grew to Islam, but it gives us a share of the blessed uncurbed. That is the biggest problem with reward in the Hereafter. letting evil take root in society; it is like cancer, However, how do we react to the injustices we destroying the good around it while multiplying see in our society? Although it is undoubtedly exponentially. challenging, no real success comes without grave struggles Even if we live in an outwardly ideal society, and sacrifices. For example, our Prophet (PBUH) was there are still many social evils that happen around us. If very dear to the non-Muslims and even the oppressors of we don’t play our part to our best capacity to build our his time when the world was immersed in moral downfall. society and stand up against oppression, we might be the However, when Allah (SWT) blessed him with next victim and then no one would speak up for us. Who Prophethood and he publicly started denouncing said taking a stand is easy? Who said that a revolution oppression by the command of Allah (SWT), the same comes in society without struggle? The leader, Prophet people did every unspeakable evil to subdue the Prophet (PBUH), fulfilled his obligation as a role model when he (PBUH) and the Message of Islam. But his steadfastness took a stand in society against all social injustices and did to stand up against evil in the face of hardship blessed him his part. Now the question is: Will we do ours?

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Realizing MY Purpose RANA MITWALY, 21

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n a life full of distractions, the lens through which we see the world has become a blinding kaleidoscope, to the extent that we have forgotten the entire picture and purpose of life. Having forgotten the purpose of life, when calamity strikes, it can often be easy to ask, “Why me?”

However, Allah provides the answer to this question.

Verse 214 of Surah Al-Baqarah serves as a reminder for myself and every believing Muslim about the reality of hardship, as Allah tells us:

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] Messenger and those who believed with him said, “When is the help of Allah?”

Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.

This verse reminds us that this world is a trial, an exam before the reward. This does not mean that we should not feel sorrow or admit when we are enduring a tribulation; in fact, the opposite is true. Even our Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH)) asked when the help of Allah will come due to the severity of the trials he underwent.

Although trials are inevitable, Allah also tells us that, “Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near” (2:214).

So, what can we do during a period of difficulty until the help of Allah arrives? Allah provides the answer for this as

well in verse 156 of Surah Al-Baqarah. We are told that good tidings should be given to the patient, “who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.’” First, we acknowledge that we belong to Allah and that at the end of this fleeting life we will return to Him, then we can utilize our struggle to help others. Starting a social media page as a support group for trauma or mental health difficulties is one method of utilizing our own struggle to assist others.

Also, opening dialogue with our families and friends can educate others about different types of struggle, which can facilitate healthier environments due to greater awareness.

Understanding is necessary for empathy, and where can understanding stem from other than personal experience with hardship? As human beings, our strongest power is empathy; to care for those who are dealing with tribulations and to inspire one another to better ourselves.

MY Voice magazine, for example, started with a handful of youth who wanted to empower the Muslim community, to spread a positive message of Islam in the face of all the misconception. Because of this, hundreds of stories of hardship and success have been shared, which have the potential to inspire hundreds more, building community and collective empathy. Remember that you are not alone in your hardship; we are all here with you and the help of Allah will surely come.

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FIND YOUR FUTURE

A Real Look into Starting Your Own Business IMAN UMAIR-QAISER, 17

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any young hopefuls today have toyed with the idea of running their own business. The idea of being your own boss, building a livelihood around something you love, making an impact on the world around you—it can definitely attract the ambitious. Starting a business is not without its fair share of challenges, though; it can take years of hard work. Take it from Khalid Khan, owner and founder of The Health First Group, a wellness and alternative medicine organization providing services such as physiotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, and more. The Health First Group has been operating since 2007 and recently opened its first location in Milton, so Mr. Khan is well-versed in the highs and lows of maintaining multiple establishments of a successful business. Whether you want to or are already starting your own business, read this interview to learn more about the journey of The Health First Group, and receive in-field, practical advice about entrepreneurship in the 21st century.

Why did you start the Health First Group?

Being an entrepreneur has always interested me, even from a young age. The ability to turn an idea into reality has always been a rewarding experience, and I wanted to make a meaningful change to the rehabilitation healthcare industry.

Starting up The Health First Group gave me the opportunity to provide innovative practice and treatments to the community. It opened up options for the community to look into advanced treatments & alternative medicine to those looking for pain relief.

How long does it take to create a business, from the concept to the opening of the first location?

It all depends on the size of the business, the staffing available at hand, and the services being offered. For The Health First Group, it took a few months to understand the market and the demographics. From the initial stage to the opening of the business, it took us about 6 months, although some business ideas can take years to become tangible.

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What are some things you needed to begin the Health First Group?

Not necessarily in any order, we needed staff and practitioners to provide the services we were offering, such as massage and physiotherapy. We needed equipment, which ranged from as small as acupuncture needles to as big as examination tables, gym equipment, or advanced rehabilitation tools for shockwave and laser therapy. It was also important to find a space to operate our business: an ideal location was near facilities, residential areas, or commercial landmarks that our target demographics were likely to use. Most importantly, we had to be licensed for various purposes, such as a license to practice and offer medical services.

What are some challenges you ran into, or are still running into while operating the business?

A changing regulatory environment is always of concern for us. We constantly have to be up to date with regulations from practitioners, colleges, and insurance companies. With any business, however, staffing is a concern. We always strive to employ experienced and well-established practitioners.

It’s our priority to staff practitioners with the right skills, interests, and determination.

Do you have any words of advice to any young adults who may be thinking about starting a business?

Be passionate about your business idea. Have the drive for success. Be ready to make mistakes and stand up for it. You get to learn from your own failures. Most importantly, take calculated risks.

It’s okay to make mistakes and it’s okay to be unsure of what you want. But the future isn’t something to be scared of: rather, in its uncertainty, there is an endless world of possibility. Know that when you go forth into the world, as long as you believe in what you do, you can do anything you want. So take the plunge! Maybe you’re the one who’s come up with the next Microsoft. You’ll never know unless you try.

RAD MUSLIMS

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Ertuğrul Ghazi Man from The Past, Role Model of the Future NAJIULLAH SHAH, 15

ave you ever heard of the Ottoman empire? The one that had half of Europe under its control until World War II? If you haven’t, then shame on your history teachers. The Ottoman Empire was one of the biggest empires to have ever been established, playing a major role in world history and spanning several centuries. How, you might wonder, did it all start though?

In recent times, a Turkish television series has been taking the world by storm, becoming one of the most watched historical dramas of all time. Diriliş: Ertuğrul, or “Resurrection: Ertuğrul”, takes a look into the life of the father of Osman I, the establisher of the Ottoman Empire. Ertuğrul, a man from a Turkish tribe called the Kayi, wanted to create change in the world and rebel against the rising empire of Genghis Khan, leader of the Mongols. The Mongols wreaked havoc as they made their way into Seljuk, the largest empire at the time, leaving many people frightened and angry at the inaction of the Seljuk empire.

Ertuğrul always looked to follow ‘a holy path’, as he calls it in the show, which we can identify as Jihad, the act of fighting for the sake of Allah. He followed his beliefs to the point that his tribe eventually split into two; one part led by him, and the other led by his older brother, because his brother wanted to live in peace and not lose more lives than they already had because of the Mongols.

Ertuğrul, wanting to put an end to their fear and suffering, took his part of the tribe to the Byzantine border, where his Holy Path of Jihad started. From that point on, his son Osman continued his legacy and path, and founded the Ottoman empire.

Ertuğrul’s motivation for following this path to fight for Allah was the fear of not dying a martyr. He, and his allies, called the Alps, were people who strived for martyrdom and to die for their beliefs, and would do anything to attain that rank, even if it meant fighting well into their old age. In fact, one of his Alps, Turgut Ghazi, lived until the age of 126 and was martyred in battle at this age. This shows how motivated he was to achieve this rank.

So how can we live by Ertuğrul’s example? One thing we can do is always stay motivated and work for truth and defy evil. Whatever Ertuğrul saw that was wrong, he made sure to stop that thing as soon as possible after acquiring some proof and confirming it was wrong.

We should try and be like Ertuğrul, a man who fears no one but Allah, and does everything to put religion first.

May Allah make us like Ertuğrul and make us stay on the path of our beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) as Ertuğrul did.

PI C T U R E C R ED I T thequint.com/entertainment/hot-on-web/ertugrul-gazi-muslims-viral-show-why-does-it-work

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Taking Up Space as A Woman HANA SHEIKH, 20

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rowing up as a third-culture kid meant that my identity was complex; with so much intersectionality, I often found it difficult figuring out how exactly I fit into this world. During this unexpected isolation, I’ve been reflecting on what it truly means to take up space as a Muslim woman.

If you know me, then you’ll know that I’m sunshine on two legs—I’m incredibly social. But for the longest time, I was different at home. In fact, I was always quite the opposite. In my dad’s presence, my larger than life personality shrunk and I would rarely speak. Home felt like his dominion of men and it was never the woman’s place to decide otherwise. I compensated for this outside, hence the extraverted energy. This ended up being crucial to my high school experience because I exerted myself socially and academically. By the end of my senior year, my friend circle practically included the whole school. I served as a sports team captain and graduated with distinction. I’d discovered that I was competent at a lot of things, and found that I had a lot I wanted to give.

As I grew into my own body, I faced even more resistance in the spaces that I took up—as a daughter, a sister, a student, and an employee. I was frequently told to quiet down or step aside. I was belittled for wearing the hijab. With every step that I took to carve out my own success story, I struggled. I began to second-guess myself.

Was I truly lacking? Unworthy? I spoke to my mother, my sister, my best friends, and peers. In sharing their

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experiences, it was apparent to me the countless women whose ambitions and pain come from a generation of being silenced. Ustadha Maryam Amir recently expressed in her video that Muslim women are pressured into fulfilling the spaces of modesty, marriage, and motherhood—and if she does not fulfill these then she is no longer considered pious and consequently dehumanized. Can you imagine the harm we are causing to our own women, to ourselves?

But I no longer feed into the role of women being weak and submissive. I no longer am intimidated by men. Instead, I walk beside them, allowing myself to be who I am within the boundaries set by God, and to step into my own potential. In the past two years, I’ve pushed to take up more in spiritual, professional, and creative spaces. I served as the President of the MSA at my college.

I got my first job. I’m pursuing a career in design despite the industry being competitive. As the only visible Muslim in my class, I continue to wear the hijab with confidence and it remains a source of strength.

Although this was difficult to express, I’m comforted knowing that the guidelines that Allah has placed for how men and women should interact in societies is Allah telling us Himself that it is our right to take up these spaces. I look to the women in our history who excelled despite the struggles and I’m inspired. May Allah give us the strength to follow suit.

Occupying space with a disability

ANONYMOUS, 25

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t’s been a year since my diagnosis and I still haven’t gone to a support group. It feels awkward, whenever I plan to make the trip, to pretend that I have it as bad as other people with disabilities do. My diagnosis is new. We caught it early and, praise be to God, when we did, it hadn’t progressed unchangeably. It could be worse. I know the statistics for my illness. It could be so much worse.

Sometimes it feels like I don’t belong in support groups because my disability isn’t as apparent.

My fear is walking into that space with the appearance of an able-bodied person and being judged as not being disabled enough—an irrational fear considering I’ve never been to the support group. Praise be to God, looking at me, you can’t tell I have a blue parking pass. I often feel bad using my blue parking pass because I feel so many other people may need that parking spot more than I do on that given day. How can I take up that space when someone else needs that consideration more?

However, a friend of mine has encouraged me to go. They said that even though my diagnosis is new, support groups are for everyone. I will meet a variety of people there who live with different stages of their illness but who have valuable coping mechanisms that I can learn and benefit from. Especially for a newly disabled person, there is a lot of opportunity to discover shared experiences and find a sense of community in support groups. I should go.

COVID-19 makes it unsafe for me to be in the vicinity of other sick people, like people at blood work clinics. A nurse came to my house the other day to draw blood and casually mentioned that I was so young. She said it was a relief from her usual patients because I wasn’t as sick as they were and she could take her time getting me the results. Her assumption was that I was too young for the test to be urgent.

But, it was urgent. The results of that blood test would tell me if I could get the next infusion in my treatment plan. I just didn’t say anything because I knew she had little control over the lab technician processing my blood work.

But if a medical professional doesn’t think I’m sick enough for home visits just by looking at me, how can I expect anyone else to act differently? My fear is that I’ll walk into the support group room and someone will ask me if I’m lost.

I don’t look sick. I still don’t have an answer for how to exist in a disability support group while looking like I don’t have a disability. I have a supportive friend who has offered to go with me and I thank God for that every time I see their name pop up on my phone. I’m fortunate to have supportive family and treatment and to have access to more. I just have to take what God is offering me and start taking up a seat in new places. I’ll only see if I belong there if I try.

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RAHIMA ADEEL, 27

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huraba. How can a word that means “strangers” in Arabic - oft used to describe individuals who stand out, do not fit in, and their general otherness or weirdness - be somehow celebrated and elevated in Islam? Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH)) said, “Islam began as something strange and will go back to being strange, so glad tidings to the strangers” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3986). When the Prophet (PBUH) began the call to Islam, he had a few loyal followers. This new group of Muslims faced rejection, displacement, hunger, poverty, the threat of death, and more

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– all for the sake of their Deen (meaning faith or religion).

What do we do for our Deen?

Today, Muslims make up 1.3 billion of the global population. But, where is our Deen? Where is our humanity, compassion, sense of civic duty, justice, and cooperation? Politicians in Islamic republics are selling out the very individuals they were sworn in to protect, often for power and money, or out of cowardice.

Misguided scholars are causing fitnah in the hearts of anxious followers already yearning for righteous religious leaders. All the while, Imams around the world participate in yearly moon-sighting disputes and are consumed in whether the Qiblah ought to be five degrees farther to the left or right. How may we expect others to respect us, our rituals, and Deen when our own actions are so conflicting? Have we strayed so far from the true path that it is simply easier, more comfortable, to be like everybody else?

It is not easy being the only Muslim in the room. It is not easy to always have to be on your best behaviour in order to best represent Islam. It is not easy to feel the pressure of not being allowed to have a bad day or slip up, out of fear that others may associate your temperament with your entire faith. But, know this: when you stand out, you have opportunity.

You have opportunity to educate others through your words and actions. You have opportunity to say no to inequality and disparity based on discrimination against faith.

You have opportunity to lobby for resources and accommodations to freely and comfortably practise your faith in your school, at your workplace, and in government offices. In this age of mass misinformation and propaganda against Islam, it is essential to stand upright and show others what it means to be Muslim. It is imperative to change and control the dialogue about our faith. It is vital to learn knowledge from credible sources and be confident in our speech. It is okay to refuse, rebel, and demand. This is part of what it means to be ghuraba.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “A time of patience will come to people in which adhering to one’s religion is like grasping a hot coal” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī

2260). Despite the name calls, isolation, and mockery against your clothing, rituals, and beliefs, you must persist. Asiya (May Allah Be Pleased With Her) was married to the tyrant, Firaun. She was a woman who did not allow herself to be defined by the oppression she was enduring. Malcolm X, prominent African American leader of the civil rights movement, valiantly fought for racial integration. We have examples of women and men in our religious ancestry and modern history who were persecuted, tortured, and killed, or just fought, for equality and the right to practise their faith.

Do not succumb to the pressures of society, media, the internet, or any other outlet. It is a tragedy to forfeit your uniqueness to fit into somebody else’s mould of who you should be. You must demand to be heard even when it makes others uncomfortable. You must show up for your religion proudly and boldly. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) spent his lifetime suffering hardships and losing loved ones for the sake of the beautiful Deen. The journey to carry forward the message is not always going to be easy. That is why the ghuraba are few. Be bold. Be unapologetic. Take up space.

How can a word that means

“strangers” in Arabic...

...be somehow celebrated and elevated in Islam?

Today, Muslims make up

1.3 billion of the global population

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