Personal faith in islam more powerful than global borders

I recall being questioned by an Iranian-American student about how I'd feel living in a country ruled by Sharia Law. My immediate response at that time was that I honestly didn't know. I had never been to such a country. I've spent all of my life as a minority in Thailand, a predominantly Buddhist country, where peoples of all faith are allowed to practice freely. However, I suggested to the student that it probably wouldn't be a problem to live in a Sharia-ruled country because no matter where I was, I would faithfully follow the Islamic teachings in living my life.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit both the US and Iran during similar timeframes. I surmised that this would be a good opportunity to answer the question asked of me long ago. In April, I went to the US with 11 other Muslim participants from the Philippines and Thailand. The objective was to participate in a university-sponsored cultural exchange programme for Muslim scholars of Islam in Southeast Asia. The program was hosted by Purdue University and the US State Department. A month later, I would visit Iran where I was invited to attend the 19th Anniversary of Imam Khomeini's passing, where I would be among roughly 500 other guests representing 54 countries.

My visit to America was somewhat of a homecoming, having attended Western Michigan University (WMU) for my graduate work. I still remember well how our Muslim relatives and friends expressed their concerns that my father would send me to the US for my master's degree 17 years ago. Most Asian Muslims believe that no one can become or stay a good Muslim in America. My father heard this often from well intentioned relatives. I shared this prevailing belief with a member of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) during my recent visit. His response was profound. He told me to tell my people back home that the best Muslims are in America - and the worst Muslims are in America. His rationale was rather insightful. He said that a Muslim who can resist the many temptations of American society and give up all the "freedoms" they have to stay truthful to their religion would be by definition, a very good Muslim. In fact, they could conceivably be considered the best Muslims.

But conversely, there are many on the other side who could not or would not keep the faith. During my visit to America, I did not see many "hijab" or "head-covered" women. When I did see one, I was so proud because I knew that the person chose to stay true to Islam in an environment that did not encourage her to do so. She saw true value in her faith. It was the same when I saw men and women doing their five-times-a-day prayers. Again, I felt so blessed because I knew the prayer really touched their spirit and no one forced them to do it. We visited many Islamic Organisations and almost all Muslims whom we met expressed their belief that America would be the new light of true Islam. There is still discrimination in America - or "Islamophobia" - as I learned just by my own interview with some Muslims on the sidewalk. But I was both proud and puzzled when our group made our way to a Friday prayer at the US Congress Building where there were roughly 60 to 70 other Muslim fellows. All this in America!

 My first-time trip to Iran was really an eye-opener, particularly as I was the only Muslim woman from Thailand. I have to admit that I felt scared before departing for Iran. I was not sure if I made the right decision to accept the invitation because all I've heard about Iran is from Western news sources. So, I imagined Iran as a country with extreme sequestration, women completely covered in black and with lack of education, male-dominated society, and so on. This is how CNN and the BBC have educated us about women in the Muslim world. But in fact, my fear turned into relief and amazement when I saw things that were totally opposite of what I had expected. Women in Iran dressed up rather fashionably and colourfully. But they did so with Islamic style and sensibilities, which meant that we did not see women dressed in revealing attire. Iranian women appear to go about their lives freely and independently. They drive, they work, and they have access to education. This appears to be especially true after the Islamic Revolution, after which the government created the nation's policy to promote and emphasise education. Tehran University was recently awarded a high ranking amongst international universities in the areas of science and technology. We were taken to the National Library. I was so impressed with this facility that I wish my own kids back home had access to one like it.

I would expect that Iranian women who pursue higher education did so with the hopes of becoming doctors, scientists, lawyers, or any number of occupations. This would mean that some would refuse to leave their jobs, which would also mean that some husbands would have to be the one to stay home and attend to the children. This seems to be the case in some families. I really didn't see any sign of repression of women when I did my two-night home stay with an Iranian family. I also noticed that most of the products, shops, and restaurants are of Iranian origin. An Iranian couple told me that "we have to thank those Western countries who boycotted us. These sanctions have made us strong and independent".

As a practising Muslim, I felt comfortable not seeing intoxicated people in public. And I enjoyed not seeing discos, clubs, bars, scantily clad females, prostitution, and all of those other things that are allowed to be exposed on public streets in most Western countries. I felt good to be able to eat pretty much anywhere (no pork!). I felt like I was amongst brothers and sisters everywhere I went, people who share the same beliefs and practices that I do. I felt a rare sense of warmth in that everybody understands when I talk about salat (prayer), kiblat (prayer's direction), wudu (wash before praying), halal (allowed), haram (forbidden), hijab - even though I couldn't even speak Persian (Farsir). It also felt good to witness whole families come out to a park to have meals and activities together since they didn't seem to be so caught up with those poisonous TV programmes, cinema, theatre, Internet cafes, or games shops.

I did witness some troubling behaviour and trends amongst certain "Muslims." I guess this is what happens when some people are forced to do something they do not believe in their heart. I saw many improper (too stylish) hijab in Iran. On my way back home to Thailand, I saw many Iranian Muslim women transform themselves from Islamic dress to more Western-style dress just as soon as the plane touched down on Thai soil. Many Iranian men were not shy about their intentions  of going to Pattaya or Patpong for the nightlife and debauchery. Some stopped to buy whisky and beer from the duty-free shops in Suvarnabhumi International Airport. I suspect they believe their religion wouldn't follow them to a free land. It would only happen in Iran. This would seem to suggest that these "Muslims" only practice their religion for fear of the police in Iran. They do not do it for the love of God. For that, I was saddened. Muslims who truly choose to embrace Islam should be stronger and practise it wherever they are, whether it's America, Thailand, or any other non-Sharia land. That would be what true Muslims would do.

In closing, I must say that if I were ever asked again that question, my answer would definitely be that "Sharia Law is wonderful for good Muslims. But there is no guarantee that it will make good Muslims". My only conclusion from my observations is that there are advantages and disadvantages everywhere and it does not depend on where one lives but rather it is within one's self.

Kannaporn Amoraseth Akarapisan   is a programme coordinator and instructor at Payap University's Religion, Culture and Peace Institute.