ABOUT A PEN-NAME

KZ is a pen name that I used about eight years ago, couple of years before leaving abroad for higher studies, to publish a piece in a local community magazine. The article was about hijab, women, and their participation in society. My inspirations was primarily Shaheed Mutahhari - the profound thinker and activist.

In that article, KZ outlined the dilemma that many women confront in our modern era. A dilemma that especially challenges the Muslim women and is fundamental to their long historical struggle. The dilemma is this: How is liberation from the shackles of jahilia and oppression possible (which are forced upon sometimes in the name of tradition and other times in the name of religion), how is the recognition of their equal dignity and respect, opportunities for the development of their potentials and talents, and their participation in the larger society all possible, but without falling into the trap of modern materialism, from becoming commodities and mindless consumers in the service of capitalism, which is only another from of oppression over female bodies? In other words, Muslim women today would not want to go back to the confines of jahilia but they do not see their liberation in becoming models for Lux Style and Victoria Secret either. Is there a third way out?

Much has changed in these past years. A new generation is assuming the face of our closed communities. With schooling, entry into variety of professions, media, internet, this new generation is much more connected to the mainstream compared to the previous generations. The boundaries that traditionally circumscribed our self-involved community are now expanding. My own experience and thinking have expanded in many ways in these years. As I think through that question again, it seems to me that the dilemma that KZ stated was a reflection of the broader challenge that all Muslims, and for that matter, all of humanity is confronting today, especially the young males and females, who hold the future in their hands. A challenge to construct that third way confronting the confusions, dilemmas, temptations, and contradictory messages of our modern era.

To build a perspective of that third way is the objective of this blog. Somehow I feel that KZ’s deep concerns, relentless search for truth, sincere faith, and never ending optimism all together could penetrate into some of these modern dilemmas. KZ's reflections will be very visible in many posts that you will read in 'sporadic meditations'.