Saleema Aslam, a senior local government officer, has only recently moved to London. Born and brought up in Birmingham, she is busily building up her network of Muslim contacts around her new home in Tower Hamlets. Here, she tells us how her faith gives her a sense of purpose and security.
What’s the best thing about your faith?
Islam is definitely the way of life for me. It gives me a sense of purpose and provides me with comfort in times of difficulty. It also gives me the reassuring knowledge that any good deeds carried out in this world will be rewarded in the next.
How close are you to other members of the Muslim community in your neighbourhood?
I am still at the networking stage with my new neighbours in the area. At the same time, I have already built up a large circle of associates through friends, study circles at work, attending conferences and visiting my local mosque.
We often use sessions as information exchanges on how we can make a worthwhile contribution to society and our community. For example, we talk about how we can fundraise for learning institutions, international children’s charities and so on.
How do your friends and colleagues react when you talk to them about your faith?
My friends and colleagues just accept my faith as my way of life. At the same time, I come across frequent questions about my beliefs and why Muslims do things in a particular way. For example: people are curious about why Muslim men and women dress in a certain way and why dress is significant. Or why Muslims don’t drink alcohol.
What is the biggest misunderstanding you have heard about your faith?
I feel that nowadays the word Islam has a negative meaning in the press. This is very ironic because the mission of Islam is to provide a peace-loving religion with Muslims helping each other to live in a harmonious environment and carry out good acts for each other.
Which Muslim that you have met has had the biggest influence on your life?
I would say the American scholar Sheikh Hamza Yusuf is a big inspiration, and to a certain extent he has influenced my way of thinking.
He is very passionate about his faith, and his life is based around educating people. He is approachable, full of wisdom and a very intellectual and knowledgeable person.
I admire him for all the experiences he has packed into his life. He is a re-vert from Christianity, and dedicated 10 years of his life to living and learning with Islamic scholars in West Africa. He shared their simple lifestyle, living with them in valleys and caves.
Is there anything you listen to when you’re looking for inspiration?
I like to listen to Purification of the Heart by Sheikh Hamza Yursuf, where he talks about how we can enrich society by avoiding any sins – major or minor. He addresses the subject in such a poetic and passionate way.
