27 Grad, 87 Prozent Luftfeuchtigkeit... || 27 degrees, 87 percent humidity...

...was nach Maxiröcken, jede Menge Baumwolle und leichten Kopftüchern verlangt! || ...so maxi skirts, loads of cotton and light headscarves it is!

 

 

 

 

 

 Colombo, Sri Lanka, Dezember 2014 || Colombo, Sri Lanka, December 2014

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Lila und blau || Purple and blue

 

Wurde dir jemals erzählt, bestimmte Farben würden nicht zueinander passen? Hast du jemals ein Outfit doch nicht getragen, weil du dachtest, das sei tatsächlich der Fall, weil du diesen Leuten Glauben schenktest? Ein Jahr in Südasien hat mich in Bezug auf (angeblich) verrückte Farbkombinationen um einiges abenteuerfreudiger gemacht. Ich trage jetzt Orange mit Pink, oder Gelb mit Blau, Limettengrün mit Taubenblau. Was mir gefällt, geht. Wie in diesem Outfit von meiner Freundin Inayah. Lila, Blau und Braun - warum nicht?

Have you ever been told certain colours didn't go well together? Have you ever not worn an outfit because you believed that that was actually the case, that those people were right? Living in South Asia has made me much more adventurous when it comes to (supposedly) "crazy" colour combinations. Now I wear orange with pink, or yellow with blue, lime green with pigeon blue. Whatever I like works. Like in this outfit worn by my friend Inayah. Purple, blue and brown - why not?

 Galle, Sri Lanka, Dezember 2014 || Galle, Sri Lanka, December 2014

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Bonbonfarben-Hijabi || Candy colour hijabi

Und dann fällt dir auf, dass dein Outfit farblich voll im Einklang mit der Inneneinrichtung des Ladens ist...

That moment when you realise your outfit is matching the store's interior design...

Galle, Sri Lanka, Dezember 2014 || Galle, Sri Lanka, December 2014

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Blautöne || Shades of blue

Darf ich vorstellen? Das ist Shabnam, Inayahs Cousine aus Sri Lanka. Erinnert ihr euch, wie ich im letzten Blogpost erwähnt habe, dass muslimische Frauen hier in Sri Lanka alle möglichen verschiedenen Arten von Kleidern tragen? Shabnam ist ein Beispiel für die Frauen, die hier lange Busen über westlichen Hosen tragen. Hier in Blautönen.

May I present? This is Shabnam, Inayah's cousin from Sri Lanka. Do you remember how I mentioned in my last post that in Sri Lanka you'll see Muslim women wear all sorts of different kind of outfits? Shabnam is an example for a woman wearing a long blouse over Western trousers. Here in shades of blue.

 

Galle, Sri Lanka, Dezember 2014 || Galle, Sri Lanka, December 2014

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Srilankischer Hijab || Sri Lankan hijab

 

Anders als in anderen südasiatischen Ländern wie Indien, Pakistan oder Bangladesh, wo man kaum eine (muslimische) Frau irgend etwas anderes tragen sieht als Shalwar Kameez (und, manchmal, schwarze Abayah or eine Burka), ist die Bandbreite der Kleider, die muslimische Frauen hier in Sri Lanka tragen, weitaus größer. Shalwar Kameez, Kurti über Leggins, langes Hemd über Jeans oder andere westliche Hosen, Röcke, Maxikleider, Abayahs, Saris ... ich habe so ziemlich alles gesehen in den letzten Tages. Und das gefällt mir. Ich mag die Vielfalt. Ich habe in keinem der anderen südasiatischen Länder, in denen ich bis jetzt gewesen bin, Shalwar Kameez getragen - und bin damit immer ein bisschen aus der Masse herausgestochen. Hier nicht.
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Unlike in other South Asian countries, such as India, Pakistan or Bangladesh, where you hardly see any (Muslim) woman wear anything else than the shalwar kameez (or, sometimes, black abayahs or the burka), the variety of clothes Muslim women wear in Sri Lanka is much broader. Shalwar kameez, kurti over leggins, a long shirt over jeans or other Western trousers, skirts, maxi dresses, abayahs, saris .. I've pretty much seen it all in the last few days. And I really like it. I like the diversity. I was not wearing shalwar kameez in any of the other South Asian countries I have been to so far and I always kind of stood out. Not here. 

Und das ist meine srilankische Freundin Inayah in einem schwarzen Maxirock, blauer langer Bluse, braunem Skinny-Belt und rotem "Tribal"-Tuch:

This is my Sri Lankan friend Inayah wearing a black maxi skirt, blue long blouse, brown skinny belt and red "tribal" scarf:

Colombo, Sri Lanka, Dezember 2014 || Colombo, Sri Lanka, December 2014

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Rosa und Grün || Pink and green

Dieses Pink. <3 In Kombination mit dem Grün. <3 <3 ||

This pink. <3 In combination with the green. <3 <3

 

Pettah Floating Market, Colombo, Sri Lanka

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Gutbetucht in Sri Lanka || Wellcovered in Sri Lanka

 

Gott, ich kann kaum glauben, dass es schon einen Monat her ist, seit ich das letzte Mal was gepostet habe. Ich war ziemlich beschäftigt in den letzten Wochen, mit der Promotion und anderen Sachen, und Bloggen stand da einfach nicht besonders weit oben auf meiner Prioritätenliste.

God, I can't believe it's almost been a month since I last posted. I have been pretty busy in the last weeks, with the PhD and other stuff, and blogging just ended up rather low on my list of priorities. 

Zurzeit bin ich in Sri Lanka, wo ich eine Freundin besuche und versuche, herauszubekommen, ob es möglich sein wird, hier im Sommer meine Feldforschung zu beginnen. Es ist ziemlich heiß, so zwischen 25 und 30°C und die Luftfeuchtigkeit ist extrem hoch (fast 90%). Ich wusste das (natürlich) schon vorher und habe dementsprechend vor allem leichte Baumwoll- und Viskosekleidung eingepackt.

Currently, I am in Sri Lanka, visiting a friend and trying to figure out whether it will be possible to conduct the research I had been planning to do here in the summer. It's rather hot, between 25 and 30°C and very humid (almost 90%). I knew that beforehand, of course, so I mostly packed light cotton and viscose clothes.

Heute habe ich diese Bluse, die ich kurz meiner Abreise bei H&M gekauft habe, getragen. Das Blumenmuster hat mir die gefallen und von den Farben (navy! blaugrün!! magenta!!!) bin ich so ziemlich begeistert - und dass sie zu 'ner Menge Kleider in meinem Kleiderschrank passen, ist auch gut.

Today I wore this blouse which I purchased from H&M shortly before my departure. I quite like the floral pattern and love the colours (navy! teal!! magenta!!!), and it works really well with a lot of clothes in my wardrobe.

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Malaysischer Hijab-Style || Malaysian hijab style

Ich <3 dieses Kleid! || I <3 this dress!

Eine Freundin, an der Uni. || A friend, at uni.

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Review: Body-Shop-Gesichtscreme || Review: Body Shop Facial Cream

Kurz nachdem ich mir überlegt hatte, mehr Bio- und Fairtrade-Schönheitsprodukte zu kaufen, brauchte ich eine neue Feuchtigkeitscreme. Ich begann also nach einer zu suchen und war überrascht, wie begrenzt das Angebot im Body Shop, wo ich zu erst schaute, war. Sie haben massenweise richtig tolle Bodyscrubs und Duschgels in allen möglichen Duftrichtungen, aber aus irgendeinem Grund nur eine handvoll Gesichtscremes. Die vergleichsweise ziemlich teuer sind. Ich habe letztendlich trotzdem eine Creme gekauft, die im Angebot war. Mit meiner Discountkarte war es dann insgesamt gar nicht mehr so teuer. Enttäuscht war ich von der Creme trotzdem. Für diesen Preis (11 GBP / 50ml) erwarte ich was Besonderes. Die Creme ist Fairtrade, was nett is, aber das war's dann auch schon. Sie riecht nicht besonders, und war jetzt auch für meine Haut nicht in irgendeiner Weise außergewöhnlich. Überhaupt nicht. Fazit: werde ich nicht noch mal kaufen.

A bit after I decided to try and use more organic, fairtrade beauty products, I needed a new moisture cream. I started to look for one and, surprisingly, I found the offer at the Body Shop, where I looked first, quite limited. They have such a big variety of really nice body scrubs and shower gels in all different kind of scents, but for some reason they only make a handful of facial creams. Which are comparatively quite expensive. I bought one of the creams anyway, when it was on sale and using a discount card, so it turned out not to be too expensive. When I tried the cream, I was disappointed. At such a price (11 GBP / 50ml), I expect something special. This cream is fairtrade which is nice, but that's about it. It does not smell special, it did not do anything special to my skin, nothing. Verdict: won't be buying again.

 

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Blaugrün und gold || Teal and gold

Diese Tunika habe ich vor ein paar Tagen bei H&M gekauft. Die Qualität ist nicht der Hammer und bügeln kann man die Tunika auch nicht, aber ich <3 die Farbe, die Tunika reicht bis zum Knie und hat nur 15 GBP gekostet.

 

I purchased this teal tunic from H&M a few days ago. The quality is not impressive and it can't be ironed, but I <3 the colour, it is knee-length and was only 15 GBP.

 

Kopftuch: Whitechapel Market (1 GBP) x

Tunika: H&M (15 GBP) x

Langarmshirt: Primark (3 GBP) x

Kette: Accessorize (10 GBP) x

Hose: Charity-Shop (3.75 GBP) x

Armreifen: Charity-Shop (1 GBP) x

= 33.75 GBP || 42.20 GBP

Headscarf: Whitechapel Market (1 GBP) x

Tunic: H&M (15 GBP) x

Long sleeve shirt: Primark (3 GBP) x

Necklace: Accessorize (10 GBP) x

Trousers: Charity shop (3.75 GBP) x

Bangle: Charity shop (1 GBP) x

= 33.75 GBP || 42.20 GBP

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Warum ich kein Kopftuch mehr trage || Why I stopped wearing hijab

Ein Gastbeitrag von Maira Butt darüber, was sie dazu bewegt hat, kein Kopftuch mehr zu tragen. Deutsche Übersetzung kommt inshaallah bald.

Many Muslims are fascinated by stories about how someone decided to follow Islam or made the decision to wear hijab. I myself have read countless such accounts, many of them on blogs about Muslim fashion and hijab. In fact, last year, I shared the story of how I started to wear hijab. Yet people do not only decide to wear hijab. There are also those who stop wearing it. I feel that it is important to listen to their stories as well. I want this blog to be a space of critical engagement with clothing and hijab and just cheering about those deciding to wear it won't get us there. It won't allow us to see the whole picture and it would not do justice to all those out there struggling with hijab. I am extremely honoured that Maira decided to share her story with me and the readers of my blog. It was not easy for her, and I could not thank her more for the trust she has shown to me - and ultimately to all of you reading this. Maira, I admire you for your strength, your courage and your sincerity. May Allah make it easy for you and may He reward you for every single effort you have put into coming closer Him.

Guest post by Maira Butt

"The One

‘For action is subordinate, possessing no value in itself. The value is in that to which it is subordinate.’ – Imam Al–Ghazali 

 

I remember sitting in the [Islamic Society] ‘Sister’s Circle’ on ‘Sincerity’ shortly after starting University. For years I had felt a divine Love growing inside me, but as was always the case in my life, I did not want to commit. As the speaker spoke gentle but firms words on God, devotion, the world, the heart, the Qur’an, my heart beat faster. It was during this circle that I felt a whisper of conviction emerge within me, after years of seeking truth and learning about Islam. This certainty was ‘La Ilaha Ill-Allah’- ‘There is no deity worthy of worship, except God’. 

When I decided to wear Hijab, it was my acceptance of a singular devotion to God, a declaration of being a Muslim, a concentration of intention and above all, an expression of Love for the Divine, the One I was unconditionally bound to. I felt grateful and honoured every morning as I wrapped it around my head.

Three years later, I sat in solitude and silence for the first time during Itikaf in the last 10 days of Ramadan. I felt a terrifying awareness of the inescapable nature of my own soul and its Creator. I knew intuitively that I’d be sat in the darkness of a black hole for a while thereafter, as I grappled with the question ‘Can there be rules in Love?’ I admitted that I felt restricted in my practice, and yearned for more. I knew that there were ups and downs on the road to the Lord, but I was too impatient to accept them. I wanted to be back on the High. Immediately. But the fire was burning out, I no longer held a Centre from which to connect to the Absolute.

Religion has always been a visceral experience for me, rather than an intellectual ‘belief system’ or decision-making/decision-filtering mechanism. As an addictive personality, I tend to take things to an extreme, I fall in Love. In my enthusiasm, I had raised my faith to a superficial and inflexible ‘height’, one that I could not keep up with. I had become obsessed with the Signs and lost sight of what they were pointing to.

Following months of deliberation, I removed my Hijab and sought to find God again. Admittedly, my decision appears crude in its finality. I decided the cure for complacency and confusion was to go back to the basics. I felt there was no point in religion for me, if there was no instinctual connection to God, so I decided to start from scratch. Removing my Hijab was single-handedly the most painful decision I have ever had to make. It was a companion, and I miss it deeply. 

There were moments that I felt I would have to leave Islam altogether. I remember watching Newsnight when an outraged young Muslim woman screamed at a homosexual man to either accept the tenets of Islam as generally practiced or leave. I felt she was speaking to me, with my perspectives on the Hijab. My face burned in shame, maybe she was right. Maybe my worldview was no longer compatible with the faith. This quickly turned to anger. No mortal had the right to judge so severely on behalf of God.

‘You will not attain the reality of faith before you come to regard all people as foolish in God’s religion.’ – Ibn Umar

Why would I leave if I still held on to my Shahadah? If I had left, I would have succumbed to a popular vision of the religion, not the orientation of Love and devotion to God which had brought me to it in the first place. Yes, I needed to recalculate and reconsider a few things I had taken for granted. But I was adamant that I had just as much of a right as anybody else to worship God and call Him Allah, whilst connecting through the Qur’an and prayer. 

The centrality of the position given to Hijab, in modern day Islamic discourse, is one that simultaneously terrifies and bores me. It terrifies me because God is rarely mentioned unless He is having words of judgement and intolerance put in His mouth. It bores me, because I can’t get myself worked up about assessing the intimate decisions of others or justifying my own. To me, the question ‘is Hijab compulsory?’ is based on the false premise that any act of worship can be psychologically enforced. Nothing is compulsory. Of course, it is our duty to raise one another up, but this duty can’t be carried out without justice, surely. Without treating the individual before us as autonomous. This is why worship is so great, it is wilful.

‘There is no compulsion in religion: 

true guidance has become distinct from error, so whoever rejects false Gods and believes in God has grasped the firmest hand-hold, one that will break. God is all hearing and all knowing.’ (Qur’an 2:256)

 

We all have within us our Fitrah, the purest aspect of our soul which knows only one thing; and that is its dependency on its Source. In my view, this is Tawheed in its most immediate and paradigm-shattering form. It is accessible to every human being without exception. The inaccessibility of spirituality in the turbulent world we live in is worrying, and a shame. A brief introduction to Sufism assured me that it was ok to stay and take faith at my own pace. When someone would approach Maya Angelou declaring themselves ‘Christian’, she would retort ‘already?’ Becoming a ‘Muslim’ is similarly a lifelong endeavour. I have learnt to find a balance between patience and impatience with myself. I know now that the path is not linear, there is no need to rush because the End is inevitable. Every step I take is one closer to Him, and one closer to Home.

‘We are not going in circles, we are going upwards. The path is a spiral; we have already climbed many steps.’ – Herman Hesse

This is why I remain Muslim. Because for me, Allah is the Truth. In the eye of the Hurricane that is this world, He is the rope I hold on to, till it all blows over. 

I was asked to write this piece by Philippa around a year ago. The topic is still a slight wound in my psyche, one I wish I could heal and find comfort in. And I am not exaggerating when I say, that there is literally nobody else I can think of for whom I would be willing to recount my thoughts on this topic (on which I could write a book). I have felt the confusion of old friends as they appear offended by what look to them like fickle decisions. Yet, I have felt only curiosity and an intellectual interest on her part. Therefore I write this for her. Thank you darling. May Allah bless you always. Ameen."

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Gutbetucht in Venedig || Well covered in Venice

 

Ich bin bis jetzt nicht dazugekommen, darüber zu schreiben, aber letzten Sommer haben P-linchen und ich einen Kurztrip nach Venedig gemacht. Wir haben zwei Tage damit verbracht, durch die Stadt zu laufen, all die historischen Gebäude zu bestaunen, von einer Fähre auf die andere zu springen, und einfach nur die Schönheit dieses Ortes aufzunehmen. Ich hatte schon immer was für Städte am Wasser übrig. Füg hinzu: Jahrhunderte an Geschichte, Sonne, gutes Essen (Pizza! Pasta!! hausgemachtes Eis!!!) - und du weißt, was ich brauche, um mich in einen Ort zu verlieven. Wenn die Stadt nur nicht so mit Touristen überschwemmt wäre...

I haven't got around posting about it yet, but last summer little P and I went on a short trip to Venice. We spent two fantastic days walking around the city, admiring the city's historical buildings, enjoying ferry boat ride after ferry boat ride and just soaking the beauty of this place. I have always had a thing for cities by the water. Add centuries of history, sunshine, good food (pizza! pasta!! home-made icecream!!!), and you know what it takes to make me fall in love with a place. If only the city wasn't so swamped with tourists...

 

An ganz vielen der Gebäuden konnte man ganz klar den orientalischen Einfluss sehen. (Die Stadt war Teil des byzantinischen Reiches und jahrhundertelang ein Angelpunkt für Händler und Reise auf ihrem Weg zwischen Westeuropa und dem östlichen Mittelmeer.)

On many of the buildings you could clearly see the oriental influence. (The city was part of the Byzantine empire and, for centuries, used to be a hub for traders and travellers on their way between Western Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.)

Wir sind nicht mit viel Gepäck gereist, deswegen habe ich nur einen Maxirock, zwei oder drei langärmelige Hemden und zwei Kopftücher mitgenommen. Alle in verschiedenen Blau- und Türkistönen, so dass ich sie einfach kombinieren konnte. Für zweieinhalb Tage war das genau richtig.

We travelled light, so I only took a maxi skirt, two or three long-sleeve shirts and two headscarves with me. All in shades of blue and teal so that I could wear them in different combinations. For two and a half days, that proved to be enough. 

 

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