Amal Al-Sibai
Winter break came and went so fast, like a cold breeze, whipping by your face.
Winter break for our family was much anticipated this year and the kids were excited more than usual because we had travel plans! We were to drive from Ohio to Chicago, then fly to Paris where we would catch a connecting flight to Jeddah.
My pre-travel preparations were not as carefree and happy as my kids’. I had to take care of cleaning the house. And then there was shopping for gifts for my parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and my husband’s family too. Packing was another hassle. My carry-on bag was so heavy because in addition to a good book, passports and airplane tickets, wallet, coloring book and colors, and a small book of the Holy Qur’an I took an entire pharmacy, just in case someone got sick mid-flight.
Finally, the big day arrived. We woke up early for fajr (pre-dawn) prayer. Our stomachs were too jumpy to eat anything other than a few dates and drink a cup of milk.
Getting ready in the morning, my fourteen-year old daughter looked at me in my white hijab and grey jilbab, which is like a long coat, somewhat like an abaya. My daughter was wearing baggy, comfortable pants and a long shirt and jacket with her hijab.
Apprehensively she said, “Are you going to wear the jilbab when we travel? We are passing through Paris, and I worry that someone will mistreat us. After those bombs that took off in Paris, don’t the French people hate Muslims?”
I said to her, “Most people are good hearted. Most people know that you cannot label all Muslims as terrorists. Violence is not part of Islam. Whoever creates violence in the name of Islam does not understand the religion. I believe that as long as I treat others with respect and dignity, I will be treated the same. As for those who have hate in their hearts, they will continue to have hate, no matter what I wear.”
With that said and a confident smile on my face, we were all ready to leave.
Although my seventeen-year old son squabbles with me over playing computer games and a messy room, when it comes to taking out the trash or carrying heavy grocery bags; he absolutely will not allow me to. So he singlehandedly lifted, hauled, and dragged down to our car four suitcases, three carry-on bags and two stuffed animals (one for each girl).
We started off our drive by making supplication to Allah for a safe and pleasant trip. I played a CD of the recitation of a chapter of the Holy Qur’an. Then we played the kids’ favorite anasheed (or Islamic songs). Together we chanted along with the singer, “I am not afraid to stand alone, if Allah is by my side!”
Besides the occasional bickering over one girl putting her leg on the other girl’s legally owned side of the car, or fighting over potato chips, our drive went smoothly. I made it to Chicago in five hours.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport was huge but very organized. It was easy to find our airlines booth and check in our luggage.
I was nervous at the security checks. All of our carry-on bags went through the x-ray screening. I tried to reassure myself that all the scrutiny was not just because I was Muslim; even the white, blonde, blue-eyed American guy ahead of me had to take off his shoes, belt, and watch.
But then as I passed through, a security officer, shouted out, “Head piece! I need a female officer to inspect! Head piece! Female officer, please!”
Was I offended? Yes, slightly. I was made into a spectacle for people to stare at. And the wording; scarf would have sounded better than head piece! I was cleared to go ahead and pass, but then we were stopped again because our backpacks and carry-on bags needed to be searched.
I stood there as my bag was opened, and a security officer of Asian origin went through my personal belongings. But then moments later, he did something unexpected, and I had nothing but admiration for this man. He dumped out my asthma inhaler, my book, wallet, phone, pens, and he kept fishing through my bag. Then he spotted the Qur’an; he held it carefully, and put it aside on a higher shelf by itself. He placed nothing else on top of it. And when he stuffed everything back, he slowly returned the Qur’an to my bag. How did he know this was a sacred book to be treated with respect? Even my kids noticed, and they too were in awe.
Thorough searching of our bags revealed nothing suspicious or impermissible, except for a perfume bottle. I was unaware that fluids of more than 100 ml are not allowed on board the aircraft, so we had to throw away my perfume bottle because it was too large.
After the searching ordeal, we went to the gate to wait for our flight. When traveling long distances, it is permitted to make the obligatory prayers shorter, and to pray two consecutive prayers in one time. In a quiet, carpeted corner, we prayed dhuhr (noon prayer) and asr (afternoon prayer).
Boarding the plane was luckily non-eventful. We made ourselves comfortable. My two teenagers sat together, and I sat next to the sweet, little one. They were thrilled that there were screens so they could watch movies and play games, but all I wanted to do was sleep.
As the plane lifted off the ground and pointed towards the sky, I remembered the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which I had learned.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Three supplications will not be rejected by Allah, the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler.” (Al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi)
I told my children to stop whatever they were doing and to make duaa; their prayers would be answered by Allah.
I cupped my hands together and prayed to Allah, I made duaa for myself and all my family, asking for goodness in this world and in the next. I asked for forgiveness, health, righteousness, knowledge, blessings, a good education and pious life for my children. I kept pleading to Allah, tears streaming down my face. The passenger sitting across from me probably thought that I was afraid of heights!
We had a nice flight. I had requested vegetarian meals, because it is unlawful for us to eat pork or even beef or chicken if the animal was not slaughtered according to certain Islamic guidelines. For drinks, each time I asked for water. I felt that the flight attendant gave me a disapproving look, as if I was childish; everyone else had been ordering alcoholic beverages. So, the next time around to look more adult-like, I asked for black coffee, no sugar.
Soon enough, the announcement was called that our plane was descending in Paris. We were to see nothing of the City of Love, the City of Lights, except for its airport. We walked around, washed our faces, and relaxed at a coffee shop. We ordered croissants, which were delicious. I realized that all the croissants I had ever eaten before were a lie! French croissants are buttery and soft on the inside, flaky and crisp on the outside but not hard or dull. After our wonderful discovery of the French croissant, it was time to move on.
We had to pass through another security check, and I couldn’t help thinking, “Here we go again!”
My son went through first. My six year old daughter was in front of me and the fourteen year old was behind me. The security officer was extremely picky. He made the little girl take off her jacket and her precious gold bangles, which really upset her. I too took off my jacket. I walked through with my youngest child and I promised her that she would get her bangles back. I was so preoccupied that I got distanced from my older daughter for a few moments.
When I looked back, I saw her crying, her face tomato-red from embarrassment. She had to take her jacket off but she was only wearing short sleeves underneath and she was pulling at her scarf to cover her bare arms. Another security officer, a lady, saw what was going on. She immediately said something to the officer who had inspected us. I do not understand French but from her tone of voice and the expression on her face, I could tell she was admonishing him. This lady dressed in uniform, rushed over to us and patted my daughter on her shoulders.
In a beautiful French-English accent she said, “I’m so sorry my dear. Next time, if a security officer tells you to take off your jacket, tell him that you can’t, because it is a part of your religion. It is your right.”
We thanked her profusely. My daughter wiped her tears, her face beamed as she smiled from ear to ear and she said to me, “Mama you are right, most people are good hearted.”
By the time we arrived at our gate, we were late, and people were already getting ready to board the plane. We were standing at the very rear of the line, but when an officer saw that I had children with me he said, “You have children, please come forward.”
Nine more hours and we would arrive in Jeddah!
Our stay in Jeddah was delightful. Hearing the call to prayer five times a day brought joy to my heart. It made informing my children that it was time to pray a whole lot easier! We visited relatives and friends, we went shopping, and we dined out. The highlight of our trip was of course our visit to Makkah and worshiping at the Grand Mosque.
I called my friends back in the US. They were perplexed that it still had not snowed in Ohio, which was very peculiar for this time of year.
Our holiday had come to an end. Our return journey went well; good and bad incidents, but the positive outweighs the negative.
After plane rides and car rides, we arrived in our home in Ohio late at night; it was pitch black and freezing cold, but still no snow. Extremely exhausted, we went straight to bed.
I woke up late the next morning, I almost never oversleep, but we had all been so tired. It was already 10 am, so I slid open the curtains. Everything was covered with a glistening, white carpet. What a surprise! It had been snowing all morning, the day after we arrived!
I woke my kids up, one by one and they ran to the window.
My older daughter exclaimed matter-of-factly, “Mama, when I was on the plane I made duaa for snow!”
I wanted to lecture her on making duaa for more important things than snow, like forgiveness or knowledge, but instead I offered to make everyone hot cocoa.
