Min Ayna Balad Antum

MIN AY BALAD ANTUM?

By Ninie G. Syarikin

I was one person in the sea of people I was one shade in the splendor of colors I was one profile in the forest of ethnicities I was one tradition in the diversity of cultures I was one voice in the space of noises I was one mind in the millions of heads I was a tiny element among whole nations, but my testimony is a significant portion in our faith: We believe in the same Creator!

As old as I am in my middle age As mature as I am life has taught me As broadminded as I am travel has exposed me As limitless horizon as the numberless books have nurtured me, I remain a learner in this changing world. Indeed, learning starts from Mother’s womb up to the grave’s hole.

I was walking inside the Masjidil Haram, amongst thousands of stalwart pillars under the countless graceful curves and continuously rotating fans amidst sound waves of talking, children’s crying, pilgrims’ chanting, and humming. Like I was in a Sunday farmers’ market, except that there were no selling and buying.

Among the millions of worshippers, I caught a glimpse of a strange young face in his white ihram. With his yellow skin, shaved head, some goat beard on his chin, and slanting eyes, I couldn’t figure out what ethnicity he belonged. He didn’t look Chinese enough to me to be oriental, and I was too curious to just let my wonder slip away. So, between modesty and dare, as a Muslimah, and in a sacred place, I was agonizing, while seconds passed by 2 minutes evaporated, and that young pilgrim was walking further away. Finally, my curious nature won! So, I swiftly turned back to chase him, simply to ask: “Assalamu’alaikum, Brother! May I know which country you are from?” The young pilgrim stopped and turned to me with his twinkling tiny round eyeballs, apparently amused, It was obvious that this was not the first time he got similar question. With a little smile, he then uttered: “Wa’alaikum as-salam; The Philippines.”

I was surprised! He looked too Chinese to me to be a Filipino!! Nevertheless, I didn’t want him to wonder, so, immediately, I said: “Alhamdulillah, I am your neighbor, Indonesia.” Then I disappeared quickly, somewhat embarrassed. Impulsively, I pulled my hijab forward to cover more of my forehead, as if enough to hide my whole self.

At the Sa’i path, at one corner of the Marwah hill, I saw a group of black men helping each other in shaving their hair, in their white ihram, they looked as black as ebony, as contrast as you could imagine! My home is The United States of America, where my black brothers are plenty. But somehow, their facial lines and textures of hair featured purity and originality. No doubt, they must have come from the depth of Africa. But their peculiarities forced me to know which spot in that vast dark continent. And, so, respectfully and meekly, I asked: “Brothers, which country are you from?” They looked at me in silence, politely, but stirred in an uneasy commotion. 3

Obviously, they were not used to this kind of forward attitude from a woman. I repeated my question; they still looked confused. But I was too curious to give up, and they saw my determination. Then they murmured bravely: “Arabiy.” So, I understood. Only Arabic! Thus, I ventured daringly with my limited broken Arabic: “Min ay balad antum, ya, ikhwa?” As if gotten free from a spell, they chorused cheerfully with their eyes sparkling brilliantly like the most sought-for African diamonds, with their shy smiles revealing their pearly and shiny teeth: “Chad.” “Chad?” I exclaimed! Almost shouting!! I got startled, even with my own unexpected voice. Chad seemed so remote, too remote from my vocabulary of countries. But I was truly, pleasantly surprised. I quickly recorded their faces with my eyes and stored them securely in my memory. Then I said to them in a matter of courtesy: “Alhamdulillah; ana minal Indonesia.” “Indonesia!” one of them repeated after me, gleefully. I nodded my head and grinned at them, then conveyed my salam to conclude.

Curiosity satisfied, I continued my walk, and sometimes stopped to talk. They came from everywhere. All corners of the earth.

But when they asked me in turn, often, I found it hard to reply immediately. Yes, I am from Indonesia, most people can tell, especially with the so many recognizable Indonesian faces 4 in Makkah. But I haven’t been back home for the past 7 years, and don’t know about my homeland, first hand. Now I live in America. Where am I from? My loyalty is torn.

Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, and that’s my extreme pride. But USA is my home too, my livelihood, my pot of rice, the place where I am branching out, and my three jewels were born.

Which country? Indonesia? America? Asian? American? Oriental or Occidental? Orang Timur, Orang Barat? Easterner or Westerner? Timur atau Barat? East or West? East meets West? But Rudyard Kippling, the Nobel Laureate, declared: “East is East, West is West, and never the twain shall meet.”

So, which country do I belong to? Indonesia or America? Both countries! Indonesia and The USA!! I finally resolved to answer: “Ana asl minal Indonesia, walakin al’an ana taskun wa ta’mal fi Amirikiyah.” “Originally, I am from Indonesia, but now I live and work in America.”

Which one deserves my loyalty? Now, I am really torn. The image of the slender tall coconut trees and their long arms of sticky green leaves -- laden with juicy fruits to satisfy thirst from the heat of the tropical sun on the beautiful white sandy beaches -- 5 were waving gracefully before my eyes, as if reminding me of the archaic homeland seducing me with one of the melodious patriotic songs. But, when the breeze of the tune stopped flowing, the beauty of the sloping beaches, and the waving of the coconut leaves vanished, then replaced by the breathtaking sceneries of the Niagara Falls, Grand Canyons, the flowery and rainbow of spring, the blankets of white snow in winter? Ahhhhh, America is beautiful, too.

So, which country deserves my loyalty? I thought long and hard. Indeed, our world now is a global village! And these Divine Verses inspire me:

“And among His Signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colors. Verily, in these, there are Signs for men of sound knowledge.”

"Oh, Mankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other, not that you may despise each other. Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of God is he who is the most righteous of you."

“Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the East or the West. Righteous are those who believe in God.”

So, overjoyed, was I! With clear conviction, I declare my answer Yes! The world wide web is my country I belong to one human race I believe in the goodness of humanity I strive to bear the truth I am a Citizen of the World! 6

Washington, DC, Summer 2005

FOOTNOTE:

Masjidil Haram: The huge mosque which surrounds the Ka'bah, the House of God, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Ihram: 2 piece white seamless garment worn by Muslim men during hajj, the once- in-life-time pilgrimage

Assalamu’alaikum: Peace be upon you!

Wa’alaikum as-salam: And upon you, peace!

Alhamdulillah: Thanks be to God

Hijab: Arabic word for headcover worn by Muslim women. This also applies to the Jewish and Christian women who observe modesty, such as the nuns. The Jewish and the Christians are called in Islam “people of the Book,” since Judaism, Christianity and Islam are revelations from the same source, commonly called the Abrahamic faiths/traditions.

Sa’i: the act of seven rounds that the Muslim pilgrims make between the hills of Safa and Marwah to commemorate the event when Hajar was reported to walk briskly to try to find water for her infant.

Arabiy : Arabic

Min ay balad antum, ya, ikhwa?: What country are you from, Brothers?

Alhamdulillah; ana minal Indonesia : Thanks be to Allah; I am from Indonesia

Salam: Greetings of peace

“And among His Signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colors. Verily, in these, there are Signs for men of sound knowledge.”

(Surah Ar-Rum -- Chapter The Romans-- 30:22)

"Oh, Mankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other, not that you may despise each other. Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of God is he who is the most righteous of you."

(Surah Al-Hujurat -- Chapter The Private Apartments -- 49:13)

“Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the East or the West. Righteous are those who believe in God.

(Surah Al-Baqarah -- Chapter The Heifer-- 2:177)