Tell us about yourself. What do you do? Where are you from? What’s your origin? What’s your level of education and what approach you have in your life.
My name is Roqayah ; I am a 21 year old Southern Lebanese student living in the
I aim to become a human rights activist and International Criminal Attorney; I hope to work in places such as Occupied Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine wherein I will be able to provide what I can in terms of writing about the imperialist occupations, aiding families and/or using my education to coordinate projects and tasks with Human Rights Organizations so that I may help in improving the lives and well being of others.
You are a woman who does activities for Resistance. What are you resisting against? How much women like you are involved in Resistance? What they usually do to help the cause? Is gender a case?
I do not consider myself a rarity in any case – women of all ages, all races and all faiths have resisted against tyranny and oppression far longer than many of us are aware. My sole mission in life is to fight corruption, tyranny and subjugation; so long as one human being is being oppressed it is our duty to aid them in whatever way we can – be it physically, monetarily or mentally.
I believe that more women, especially Muslim women, should be more involved in politics and Resistance movements; Allah subhana w’ ta’alla did not prescribe that we remain housewives or confine ourselves to the roles dictated to us by our culture; no. Allah subhana w’ ta’ala has given us the task of upholding His deen and His objectives – all of us, men and women. I strongly believe that women can raise a family, follow the commandments of Allah subhana w’ ta’ala while committing themselves to aiding their brothers and sisters.
I run an entire website, Political Theatrics on my own – with no help from anyone. Also, I do it anonymously. A majority of those who visit my site assume that I am a male; this is only because their culture has dictated this long and corrupt tale that women cannot have such booming voices – that women are timid creatures. I was not raised this way, Alhamdulillah. I know that I am more than capable of holding my own ground as well as (and if not better than) a man.
What are the issues that Muslim women face in the west particularly in the
Muslim women are not as free as they are made out to be in the
My mother,mashaAllah, wears the hijab and though she has not come under attack from non-Muslims I know many who have been – simply for wearing the attire which brands them ‘Muslim’.
Women,in general, are pushed around by Western culture and abhorrent sexist propaganda – on one side you have the ignorant masses who are afraid and hateful towards the Muslims and on the other side you have those who are trying to ‘liberate us’ by means of perversion; They wish to make us choose between the comforts of the West and Allah subhana w’ ta’ala. The jihad (struggle) for Muslim women in the West is to maintain their dignity while facing the continuous curtain of xenophobia.
How about western activists who work for resistance? What are your struggles if you be against policy of your governments?
I had the great honor of joining the Gaza Freedom March, being head of the Student and Media committee and trying to get into
Men and women from all walks of life left their families, their work just so they may break the siege on
I was raised in the States – I lived under a brutal regime which occupied and subjugated people from all across the globe. The
What’s role of Hijab in
How much the resistance affected Arab society? What was its influence on culture and literature? Give me some examples
Being an Arab I take no issue in saying that, in general, my people are apathetic – During Operation Cast Lead, The July War of 2006 in Lebanon (among others) there was a sense of awakening in the Arab world. It was as if someone injected a serum of life into their bloodstream; they reflected upon the victories of the resistance against Apartheid “
Books were published about Hezb’Allah, trying to analyze how such a seemingly small group could bring down a heavily funded State. Authors wanted to know how the men of Hezb’Allah could defeat
Are there any organisations in
There are an array of groups for women in
Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World, The Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering, Lebanese Women’s Association, The National Council of Lebanese Women, etc.
Most of these groups promote the education and advancement of women in all fields but primarily in the societal aspects of our communities. They do projects and work with young women so they may harness their natural potential.
Where were you at the time of 2006 Lebanon-Israel war? How did you feel? What did you do to help to promote the truth and reality of the Israeli aggression?
In 2006 I was 16 years old, going on 17. I was in High School at that time and I remember every moment of those horrid days as if they occurred yesterday; My family would stay up for days praying and trying to comfort one another. This is where my attitude towards imperialism began to change into something more powerful – I felt helpless and needed to do something, anything. So, I decided to send an email to Al Wa3ed – a branch of Al Manar’s media group which wrote in support of the Resistance and against Israeli occupation. My first article was called “Letter from an American Teenager”, soon after the article gained steady ground on the internet I was asked to write once more and this lead, ultimately, to me opening a website.
Though I could not help my people physically I knew that I could enlighten those around me to the plight of my people; My closest friends who were once ignorant about international politics were now asking me questions and I had all the answers.
Muslim women hold the power to help their people, through their wisdom, their brilliance, their intellectual might and their strength.
What did the Lebanese women do to help their country during and after war?
During the war in Lebanon there were women who refused to leave their homes as Israel bombed relentlessly – they provided moral support for the fighters and protected/sheltered their families – comforting them.
I have yet to meet women like those in the most subjugated places and areas like
War is not new to
How much you know about
I have always had an affinity for
I am proud of the people of
I want to learn Farsi, as I find it an exquisite language; I am friends with a few Iranian women and their mentality is just as strong and unwavering as mine, thus I wish to be acquainted with more women who are just as passionate and dignified.
Tell us about your thoughts and goals in life! What are your wishes and your concerns?
I want to make a difference in this world before I pass, insha’Allah (if God wants so) one that may better the life of another human being – man or woman. I want to live long enough to see the total liberation of
What’s your final message for Iranian women?
Nothing I may say will change the current state of affairs for the women of
In the heart of every woman there is a candle, one which has a small flame that grows as their devotion to Allah pushes forward. Do not let the flame go out; safeguard it and make it grow.