After all, we are all sinners.

 Bismillah

       Sunny day. People seemed to be very happy about that. And the thing about the streets of the cities- Newcastle and alike, you'll always be entertained by street singers, musicians and performers while you strolled down the roads. I was especially attracted to this one girl with her violin play. I joined the many old folks who sat on the benches around the area. Some are husbands, waiting for their wives. Some are just simply enjoying the show, while being sun-kissed. Mostly old folks.

I was alone at first, with my bag of goodies I bought earlier. I was crossing off my to-do-list in my schedule when an old man approached. I reckoned he wanted to have a sit besides me. I smiled and moved all the bags closer to my side. 

Quiet. Me with my book. And he, well, I let some space for tranquility if that what he's after. He seemed to enjoy the music. After a while, I simply had the book in my hands, but my eyes on the show. Staring attentively. 

' Can I ask you a personal question? ' his course voice sounded fatherly. His face, friendly too. But it was too abrupt I couldnt catch him the first time.

' Sorry?'

He repeated. And I said, ' Of course,'

' What is the significance of wearing the headscarf for you?'

For me , words is important. I can usually answer people straight away without hesitant. I mean, those are the type of questions I always get. 'Significant' is a huge word. Why?

I was startled and took some time to think. 

' Is it a religious thing?' he added.

' Essentially, yes. I believe God ordered us to cover ourselves. It's in the book. And , ultimately, it's my choice.'

' Yes, it's in the Quran isn't it? i understand you wearing the head scarf. I have no problem with that. But why some women cover their faces? I find it offensive.'

' Well, it's a form of act wanting to please God, even more. The further extend chosen by some muslim. Bearing in mind that, whatever we do, is for us- not that God needs it from us. Allah is self-sufficient. It's their choice, just like how I CHOOSE to wear my head scarf, only that, mine is an obligation as well'
*(this is based on my own pegangan that niqab is not wajib. May Allah forgives my ambiguity, if there is)

' But i believe God, Allah or Jesus... wouldn't want us to hide our beauty. I mean, I'm fine with you. You don't cover your face. I believe we, women or men are made beautiful.,'

' But first you have to define 'beautiful'....' I said. 

( Aku pun rasa perbualan ni deep -.-)

Pause.

' Have you met these muslim ladies, covering their face, and talk to them? Most of them are kind-hearted people. Wearing this face covers does not make one loose the essence of humanity one hold. They are normal people who just, apparently choose to do whatever they wanted to do, in this case, niqab. It's their right, so although I won't do it, I have no say in how they should do it, right?

' You are right. But I cant help feeling that they dont think about other people. How can ones talk to another and let not their face expression seen to another?'

' There's nothing we can do about that, honestly. I know I said this many time. But it's a choice, and it's a choice that involves their right.. not ours. You can't say to a woman who dyed her hair pink, that you want to see her hair blonde. You can't say to a women who wear headscarf that you need to see her hair. Why their choice of wearing niqab becomes more questionable than others? It's the perception, isn't it?

At this point, I need to loosen things up. ~

' I agree that we are all beautiful, tho, like you said.'

He smiled and nodded. 

' I hope you dont mind me asking all this questions. Yes, we are beautiful people. One is more beautiful than another sinner.. no, scratch that. After all, we are all sinners.'

***

Aku pun tak tahu kenapa perbualan dengan pak cik ni rasa sangat berfalsafah. Buat diri rasa nak berfikir. Padahal aku ke bandar hari ni, nak fikir siapkan kerja, balik rumah etc. It's true. Sometimes you just have to go out there and take the opportunity to talk to someone around you- especially old people, travellers and someone who went through a lot. You never know what lesson is in stored for you. Kata orang, tarbiyah jalanan? huh entahlah, aku pun buntu. Tapi, perbualan hari ini aku anggap satu teguran dari Tuhan untuk mempersoalkan apa itu 'significant' kembali.

Mungkin.

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