Zulfira Gainetdinova: “Young families should better be tolerant” 

29.05.2008 16:26

There are several types of people who consider himself as a Muslim. Real Muslims believe on Allah, pray five times a day, and keep the fast (Uraza). Some Tatar people drink alcohol, eat forbidden food and only in religious holidays come to mosque to pray. In spite of nothing they think that they are Muslims to. Telling the truth nobody has a right to blame somebody, according a saint book Koran everyone who believes in Allah is considered to be a Muslim. May be that’s why there so many wrong opinions about Muslims around the world. Even in Tatarstan they think about Muslims as they are fanatics. As for me I don`t agree with such opinion. There are a lot of good Muslim families, and I want to tell about one of them.

Ilmir and Zulfira Gainetdinovs live in Kazan. They have four children, three daughters and a son. Ilmir Gainetdinov is an engineer; Zulfira is a teacher in a Muslim study centre. Her two little children are bringing up here. I talked to her in this centre.

- Zulfira hanum (Mrs.), what is the difference between a simple tatar family and a Muslim family?

- In Muslim family everything is based on the Koran and Sunnat. Islam makes bringing up children easier. In Muslim families have many kids. Some people think that it’s very difficult to grow up so many children. I’m sure it is not difficult; oppositely, it’s very comfortable. From youngest age children learn to be responsible for each other. Also they respect parents very much.

- You live in a big city. What problems do you meet with?

- Kazan is situated in the centre of Europe and Asia. But there is no Muslim school. We need a Muslim school being to the European requirements. Such school is a demand of modern life. Our children are important people in the future, our society need such kids, because they are brought up in the right conditions. We try to eat natural products and halyal food which is recommended by Koran.

- What is important for you while choosing school or kindergarten?

- Schools must be tatar, because tatar pedagogy is based on Islam. Also they study Tatar and Russian as well. 

- Do you make your children to be religious or not?

- It is going on its own way. Children choose Islam themselves. I teach them showing examples. For example if we see a drunken man in the street I will tell them what a bad thing alcohol is. At the same time we borrow positive sides of the life of non-Muslims, we are very communicative, and we have many friends. We meet and communicate with other Muslim families, go to mosques and religious courses for children.

- Are there any material problems in your large family?

- It is a wonderful thing to bore a baby. With every child there comes a happiness and well-being to our home. We live better now. We are waiting for the fifth child. Sure my husband has to work hard. 

- How did you become a religious person?

- Until 19 I didn’t know anything about Islam. When we married, a mother of my husband wished us to be Muslims. After putting on a headscarf someone couldn’t understand me. But after sometime we became close again. They understood that religion is good thing, it teaches people to live in a right way.

- What do you wish to young families?

- Tolerance. They should be more tolerant and patient. The most difficult period is the first year after wedding. A husband and a wife should better be uncomplaining. They can pass a difficult period quietly and together.

Milyausha Zakirova

Source: www.intertat.ru