What
challenge did you overcome and be grateful for?
The challenge I overcome, that I am most grateful for, is finding a
way to go to university.
I was the first in my family in this country and from a background
where women’s education was completely discouraged at first, then de-prioritised over boys schooling
in later generations. By the time it came to my turn, my dad was still not keen
for me to study after GCSE’s and I barely got to go to sixth form. When the
time came to go to university, I didn’t think there would be any chance.
When I did well in my GCSE’s, I recall my dad telling his friend with
pride. His friend, a father of six girls, replied that was good, but wasn’t that
enough now? Probably worried we would be a bad influence and give hid girls
ideas.
It was only the encouragement of my mum, who knew what it was to
miss out on schooling that led me to apply for the nearest university with
great trepidation. I wasn’t planning on making a fuss but quietly continuing
with my routine of study in the hope no one would notice or object. It was only
when I realised I had to send a check for UCAS (the undergraduate application
process), that I had to ask my dad to write me a cheque (some silly amount like
£14 at the time), he frowned and glowered, then wrote me the cheque saying he
was not at all happy.
It ended up being three happy, fulfilling years of learning,
growing, making friends and becoming more confident and bolder. In hindsight I
can see exactly why people didn’t want their girls to study if they needed to
maintain some level of control over them. I will always be grateful for this.
Happily, my dad realised I wasn’t going to reject my faith or values,
in fact I started wearing hijab at university and got engaged one year in. Persisting also meant that my three younger
sisters had the door opened for them to study further.
Twenty years later I hope to do my Masters in September, With
babies and work, it has taken long enough to get to the next phase, but I hope
that it is the start of many more years of learning and growth insh’Allah.
What challenge did you overcome and be grateful for?
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