Muslims have always respected the Quran. Even today Muslims try to show respect for the Quran in so many different ways and in all settings. Muslim ladies from the Indian sub-continent – who do not observe hijab – still drape a scarf (a do-patta) around their necks; and when the Quran is being recited, they instinctively and very affectionately don their do-pattas over their heads. The following account – based on an actual event – illustrates just how Muslims have maintained this level of respect for the Quran even under great duress. For those who hold more conservative values in life, they might want to appreciate the sincerity in the claims of those who seemingly gloat with the fantasy that they are liberal. However, I must caution Muslim men against ever reenacting the glorious climax.

My family and I usually stay away from attending weddings – unnecessarily. They seem to go for a dime a dozen where we live. We simply had to attend this one particular wedding reception a while back. As we parked our vehicle in the jam-packed parking lot, we began to observe all the glitter and the glamour of the weddings of North America. Women with their flamboyant display of extravagant hijab-based dress suits bounced along with their not so flamboyantly dressed spouses. Children with their eye-catching wedding garments studded with (cheap strands of) glitter raced along only to listen to the screams of their sartorially well-adjusted grand-parents. Amongst all this clatter and clutter of ostentatious euphoria a young man graced the occasion by showing off his true libertine values. At first, I took only a casual interest in this lad who – with great frolic – gaited by us in his magnetic - but somewhat feminine - outfit. My wife – who notices anomalies – made a remark that did not echo the need for Muslims to assimilate and integrate. (Oh, how these two concepts: assimilation and integration have ogled and romanticized with us Muslims!!) However, by the end of the night, the lad made me eat the humble pie and I had to concede my prejudice.

The activities of the night very calmly – and also quite enjoyably – moved along. The bride and bridegroom made their entry with the proverbial Desi majesty; the food was terrific and the ambience applauded the occasion. The official program now had to better everything.

The master of ceremonies introduced a hafiz of the Quran and asked him to bless the last phase of the proceedings with the customary recitation of the Holy Quran. The recitation of the hafiz was truly refreshing. The verses he recited matched the sentiments of the night and the translation that followed did wonders for the spirits of the now ever-focused audience. It would have been perhaps the best introduction to a blessed night except that the young man in the somewhat feminine outfit rose above all expectations and stole our hearts. Several innocent ladies and even more men could not help but marvel at the young man’s daring bravery. This young man spoke volumes on behalf of those of us who think we can neither assimilate nor integrate in an ever-changing and diverse modern society. He showed us all that we can still very easily maintain our dignity and express our religiosity without being too orthodox. As soon as the young man received the Words of the Quran in his ears, with feminine deft and liberal precision, he instinctively and very affectionately rolled his do-patta over his head.

By Shaykh Amin