Shocker! Trade Route Woolies..... I received a msg calling for a peaceful demonstration outside the woolies store at trade route mall. For a start the crowd was small, to my dismay by the end, we were merely a handfull. I was told by the organisers that it was a last minute arrangement in anticipation of the 50 percent woolies sale, which kicked off today. While I agree that perhaps the timing was wrong and the message not widespread, there were incidences from today which leave me in shock and utter dissappointment. I must say that never before have I stood behind a cause nor felt more inclined than now to call on a boycott... THE DIFFERENCE? The utter disregard and blatant pro Israeli sentiments that certain stores and market leading bullies are showing in the face of this terrible crime of murder, occupation and torment of palestinians. As one of the ladies present approached a fully covered muslim sister and asked her to join our ranks, she was met with judgment and opposition to the ends we aimed to reach. She was insulted by her dresscode and told to first complete the compulsory pillars of faith, before attempting such boycotts. She asked her to look at the way she was dressed, as opposed to the fully clothed lady herself and was told that the lady could not even identify that she was muslim. Muslim? Muslim? I thought we were long past the point of this been a question of religion!! Wake up! Its a question of humanity. To the lady in purdah, a relative of a renowned member of our community who often gives lectures in faith, you stood before us and waived your hands in disgust! Yet one of the first things that your immediate family preaches to us is to look at what is being said and not who is saying it. We are taught not to judge people and also if we have nothing good to say that we should rather remain silent. By adorning the clothing of a devout muslim, you make a choice to represent us to those outside our faith. If it is people of your tenure we have us forerunners then our ummah is in trouble. Other responses too were dissappointing... we were told by others that we are not partof you guys so leave us to shop! You guys? I am confused! Is it a reference to US as muslims or US as human beings.?! We were also told to go read namaaz before we protest! Seriously? To the organisers of todays demonstration, in spite of the poor turnout, you should stand tall. Stand tall and proud in the knowledge that you are amongst those who chose to speakout. You were among those who chose not apathy, but rather made an attempt to stand against oppressors and those who aid them. Remember people, silence and doing nothing is part of the oppression.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 13:59:22 +0000
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