The trappings of a typical high school prom were all there: the strobe lights, the garlands, the crepe pineapple centerpieces and even a tiara for the queen. In fact, Fatima Haque’s prom tonight had practically everything one might expect on one of a teenage girl’s most important nights. Except boys.
Ms. Haque and her friends may have helped initiate a new American ritual: the all-girl Muslim prom. It is a spirited response to religious and cultural beliefs that forbid dating, dancing with or touching boys or appearing without a hijab, the Islamic head scarf. While Ms. Haque and her Muslim friends do most things other teenagers do — shopping for shoes at Macy’s, watching ”The Matrix Reloaded” at the mall or ordering Jumbo Jack burgers and curly fries at Jack in the Box — an essential ingredient of the American prom, boys, is off limits. So they decided to do something about it.
”A lot of Muslim girls don’t go to prom,” said Ms. Haque, 18, who removed her hijab and shawl at the prom to reveal an ethereal silvery gown. ”So while the other girls are getting ready for their prom, the Muslim girls are getting ready for our prom, so we won’t feel left out.”
The rented room at a community center here was filled with the sounds of the rapper 50 Cent, Arabic pop music, Britney Spears and about two dozen girls, including some non-Muslim friends. But when the sun went down, the music stopped temporarily, the silken gowns disappeared beneath full-length robes, and the Muslims in the room faced toward Mecca to pray. Then it was time for spaghetti and lasagna.
It is perhaps a new version of having it all: embracing the American prom culture of high heels, mascara and adrenaline while being true to a Muslim identity.
These “so called muslim girls” are going through severe identity crisis. My argument is…………
Is this all necessary?
Is it like without such arrangement muslim girls can’t have fun?
OK, So I get the point they all faced the Ka’baa to pray maghrib, fine, what an impressive show to the non-muslim girls present there. But, it is the music folks……Can’t these identity deprived girls, wanna be’s, trying to, wanting to fit in the culture understand that the Prophet Allah ( peace be upon him) “Forbade Music ( playing and listening with the exception of clapping & duffs).
Are our children that much confused, and desperatly want to fit in this society, to please whom ???
The parents are to be blamed for the “not so proper” teaching of Islam in the household.