Community
- Yamina Bibi
- Apr 23, 2020
- 2 min read
Day 29: 23/04/2020
As I began writing this blog, I decided to ask my husband what he thought it meant by the word community.
Here’s what he said: ‘Growing up we were led to believe that the community is made up of individuals who live around you, bound by parameters and postcodes. These could be the people we see daily and who contribute to our every day lives like family, friends, school communities, places of worship, GPs, shop keepers etc. Some may believe that community is made up of individuals who know each other on a first name basis. However, as technology has developed so have people and the ‘community’ we associate ourselves with.’
I think he’s got a point. As a society, we are no longer bound by the place where we live to decide to which community we belong. In fact, technology has allowed us to move beyond the boundaries and borderlines and meet people from all walks of life.
I would say I belong to many communities including the Muslim community, the British Bangladeshi community, my local community of Tower Hamlets, my school community, WomenEd and the teaching community in general. I have mentioned these communities because they all contribute to my sense of self and have shaped my values, actions and behaviour. When I feel lost, I look to them for support and guidance.
However, now more than ever, we are thinking about how we can support our communities and help those who need us most. I am also thinking about how life has changed for us and yet the sense of community seems to have only heightened.
And so, with the holy month of Ramadan beginning tomorrow, I’ve been thinking about the theme of community for today’s challenge in light of this. The month of Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and water but it is a time to increase worship, pause and reflect and get together. I usually break my fast with both friends and family from within the Muslim community and those from other faiths and none. After the iftar, many people attend the mosque to pray the evening prayers, which go on through the night. Standing side by side with family, friends and many strangers adds to the sense of community, of being part of something bigger than just you.
Of course this year will be different. No daily iftar gatherings with family outside of our homes; no collective worship in mosques; no evening taraweeh prayers, which usually spill outside. It’s hard but I accept it because being part of a community no longer just means being in close proximity to others. It means sharing ideas and values, looking after each other and working for the greater good.
I know, I for one will spending my days counting my blessings and appreciating and contributing to all the communities I belong to in different ways. Let’s not forget that despite self isolating, we are all in it together. Isn’t that what it means to be a community?
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