On Muslimah Anggun: what’s that about?
admin on 05 22, 2009
..the definition
Indeed, INvoKe.sg received many inputs, feedback and comments on this ‘controversial’ beauty contest held last year. The discussion was nevertheless intense yet engaging. But what does it really meant by Muslimah Anggun? And if there’s any lacking in it terms, how then can we re-define it?
Muslimah: a feminine of ‘Muslim’, comes from the word ‘Islam’, means, submission to Allah & peace. Hence a Muslim is a person who submits himself to Allah while promoting peace. Anggun: means elegant ; graceful and attractive in appearance or behavior.
A Muslimah Anggun, in this case, is then a Muslim lady who submits herself to Allah; by doing and following His orders, preventing herself from doing what is wrong, while maintaining a graceful behaviour towards parents and others. At the end of the day everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah, except for those who have taqwa, right?
..the other side of the fence
Saudi’s ‘Miss Beautiful Morals’ : According to the pageant founder Khadra al-Mubarak, “The idea of the pageant is to measure the contestants’ commitment to Islamic morals… It’s an alternative to the calls for decadence in the other beauty contests that only take into account a woman’s body and looks”.
In this contest, contestants spent 10 weeks attending classes and being quizzed on themes including “Discovering your inner strength,” “The making of leaders” and “Mom, paradise is at your feet” — a saying attributed to Islam’s Prophet Muhammad (Hadith) to underline that respect for parents is among the faith’s most important tenets.
The previous winner, Zahra al-Shurafa, said the contest gives an incentive to young women and teens to show more consideration toward their parents.
Beauty Pageant for Nuns: An Italian priest, Antonio Rungi intended to hold world’s first beauty contest for nuns of which the idea was suggested by nuns themselves. He had intended to showcase the good works that nuns do, especially in education and health care, so as to boost interest in religious vocations. However, due to some misunderstood, this project was cancelled.
On Muslim women and contribution: Haifaa Jawad, a Muslim academic, said, “Women in the early Islamic period were not only socially active, but were encouraged in all the main branches of learning and indeed rose to positions of great eminence.” Amongst these women were al-Shafa’ bint Abdullah who was appointed as market superintendent in Medina by Caliph Umar ibn al Khattab.
A world-renowned film maker and artist, Shirin Neshat, embodies all three traits, “The most important message is to try to look within, not without, for strength, confidence, and sense of individuality.”
..the follow up
The big challenge now is the follow up after this contest. It is with much hope that the winner will be able to promote a pleasant personality and behaviour to the other Muslimah (esp among youth) towards ad-Deen, their parents and people around them. Do leave us a comment below, if you have any suggestion on how can the winner helps, or perhaps, the types of activities she can participate in, in leading good examples for other youth.
..INvoKe.sg say
There were many major economic activities in early Islamic history where female companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) participated in all these activities with the Prophet’s approval; such as trading, farming, teaching, transporting goods, nursing, health care and many others. In jurisprudence itself, for example, ‘Aisha had few equals and Umm Salam also gave many legal rulings.
Let’s look at this issue in broader perspective and continue to strive in bringing good values and instilling Islamic morals within our Muslimah sisters.
“The best among mankind is one who is of the most benefit to others” [Hadith]