What a pleasant visit!

My visit today that was intended to be short turned out to be a more-than-one-hour conversation.
I went to see the room that is offered to me from the university and met a muslim sister there.
She is from Pakistan and was so nice!

I really enjoyed the conversation. We talked about how muslims are in Pakistan (and of course in Indonesia) and how it is like with being and showing one's identity as a muslim here.

I learned some lessons today.
- Tidak sedikit muslim disini menyembunyikan identitas muslim mereka. Mereka tidak pernah menyatakan bahwa mereka muslim dan berlaku seolah bukan muslim, misalnya minum alkohol, makan babi (dua hal yang mayoritas orang sini tahu tidak akan dilakukan oleh muslim).
- Tidak bersalaman dengan lawan jenis sudah menjadi budaya (bukan hanya perintah agama) di Pakistan. Bersalaman dg lawan jenis merupakan issue besar disana, mungkin lebih besar daripada memakai rok mini di depan umum. Kalo kamu bersalaman dg lawan jenis, kamu akan dibicarakan orang-orang. Di Indonesia kebalikannya, kan? Kita (menurutku) masih ragu dan enggan untuk berkata atau berisyarat bahwa kita tidak mau bersalaman dg lawan jenis dan kita akan dibicarakan orang kalo kita tidak mau bersalaman dg lawan jenis.
- Knowing Qur'an by heart. It's enough with just my telling you that I feel ashamed of myself. Hapalanku yang hilang... Duh.., astaghfirullah..
- In Pakistan, wearing hijab is not a must in ALL areas. I thought it is a must there so I am wrong. I confused Pakistan with Afghanistan.

In summary, her talk has reminded me to keep learning Islam.

She praised me for wearing hijab here but I felt ashamed of myself because even though she does not wear hijab yet (May Allah give her the blessing and strength and courage to be able to wear it soon) I think she is more practicing than I am.
She has re-raised my spirit to learn to be a good practicing muslim.

Alhamdulillah...
for this meeting with a muslim sister.
Alhamdulilllah...
for this reminder for me that to be a good muslim is a constant and conscious effort.
Alhamdulillah...
for burning the flame of the spirit of learning Islam and the spirit of being a good moslem.
Alhamdulillah..
for this simple happiness.

I biked home smiling. :D