Daddy, what is this?

Earlier this week my husband and I took the boys on a Field Trip to the Museum of Man. There was an expedition about ancient Egypt and we just recently finished our studies about Mummies so this was perfect. We all enjoyed our stay, my heart did get very heavy when we passed this child mummy though..  the Child must've been about 5 years old.. Other than that it was fantastic, it even included a little section for the Kids to play. The expedition also had the perfect size, very informative, so that I could read the boys a lot about the mummies, the sarcophagus etc. but it was not too big so that I wasn't exhausted with all the don't do this and don't do that..


As we entered the play area the boys right away took off, exploring all the different toys. (I'm Muslim and fully covered, including my face) so there was this little girl and as soon as she saw me she turns to her father and aks: Daddy what is this? and she'd point her finger towards me. For me a normal question from a child, which is perfectly okay. I'm always quiet curious how the parents would react though and so to my astonishment her Father quickly glances over to me and goes: I don't know..  .. 

Alright then.. this was a first.. 


I was not offended in the least, I just hope that the little girl one day will get the education that she deserves. As I got home I told my husband and my 6 year old Leap Creature overheard the discussion. I then took time and explained him one thing that he did not hear for the first time. 


I am the perfect example to show that we are all different and still somewhat the same, and that this was a beautiful thing: Some People are big/ small, some are skinny some are overweight, some people are beautiful some are not. And last but not least some are "normal" and some are not. Normal in the sense they can walk, talk, feel etc. That's where in my mind education comes in. My boys need to know that if they see a person that acts different and out of the "Norm" out in the streets, in a store etc. that they don't stare, don't talk about the situation aloud, don't point with your finger, and especially DON'T LAUGH !! With all my heart I believe that this is an essential building block in a persons character and education !! Yes we are muslims we do things in a certain way, not all people are muslims though and we respect and get along with these people as well. We don't have to agree but we do HAVE TO respect them.. I could totally write a book about this, don't worry though, I won't *smile* I think one thing that I experience, very seldom but it does happen, that makes me sad and angry at the same time is, when people have this uneducated "I don't care" attitude.. or open carelessness .. I can't really put it in words but somehow that affects me the most. 


A while back I read Tammi's post "I'm so glad I'm not you" and even though she's a perfect stranger to me, I had to think about her, since this fell into the exact same category of people. I know it shouldn't bother me but heck we're human too, just different, and even that only to a certain extend. 


May Allah/ God protect me from becoming ignorant towards anyone out there that is "different". I'm always trying to take a positive lesson from my experiences as a fully covered Muslim by choice, good or bad. I also hope that I will always try to do my best to bring up my boys in a way where difference will never be a reason for them to be judgemental but that develops in them a sense of curiosity, for them to want to learn more about the people around us. If it's not something we'd want to do or believe, it will at least teach what we wouldn't want to do or believe in.. 


and Allah/ God is the best of Judge and knows best

Myriam