Womens Literacy [Archives:2002/18/Last Page]

Ma Whoever said, Knowledge is power, hit the nail on head.
M Quite! And whoever said, I am endebted to him who teaches me, and Knowledge is light and ignorance is darkness, also hit the nail on the head. People who are educated arent the same as people who arent. As the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, The search for knowledge is encumbent on every Muslim. He also told us to, Seek knowledge, even if you have to travel to China!
Ma You dont need to say that, its obvious! I only wish that I could read and write.
M Yes! If you could read and write youd really be able to hold your head up high! Then you could write to me in your own fair hand when I went away. Ill send you a letter sealed with a kiss!
Ma Oh arent you clever! I only want to say that Im completely helpless when I go to the souk and they sell me a carton of juice which has gone off. God knows how long it had sat with the wholesaler and then with the grocer! And they told me it had been produced this year! If only I could read, they wouldnt cheat me and laugh at poor Musida.
M Why didnt you learn how to read and write when you were a young girl?
Ma Did your mother and aunts learn to read and write when they were young girls?
M No. They used to say that reading and writing was only for chanters and singers.
Ma Exactly! So why all the smart questions!?
M Come on, dont get so cross.
Ma And just why shouldnt I get cross! The juice seller knew that I couldnt read or write and saw me coming a mile off. He deliberately sold me juice that had gone off. Isnt that a problem?
M Of course! Its a big problem. You cant stop being cheated, and you cant get away from the fact that you cant read or write.
Ma Exactly! And you cant teach an old dog new tricks. Life has gone on, Musid. Everything has its own time.
M What on earth gave you that idea!? The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave!
Ma So now what! I wouldnt object to getting up in the morning, putting on my balto, making sandwiches and juice, picking up my bag, taking money for sweets and crisps and going to learn with my daughter who just started school this year.
M Go on, then, Musida. And Ill put on a party for you at the end of each year!
Ma Theres no need for a party, but I do wish that I taken you at your word and gone to learn to read and write at the literacy centre. If only I could read the date of production and the best before end date before I bought things, and before the shopkeeper cheated me! But I cant read or write, and Im at the mercy of the shopkeepers whenever I go out to buy food or drink!
M What you say is right. The problem you have with not being able to read or write is simple. And the solution is for you to join a literacy centre, and the children and I will cope while youre away. The problem of cheating, on the other hand, is different. Thats to do with people being weak-willed and having no conscience. As the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, Dont have anything to do with people who cheat!

——
[archive-e:18-v:2002-y:2002-d:2002-04-29-p:./2002/iss18/lastpage.htm]