JEDDAH – On March 21 each year, many Arabs celebrate Mother’s Day with a gift of flowers, gold or simply a card and some kind words to demonstrate their love for their mothers. Some Saudis, however, are opposed to setting aside a special day for such a celebration, while other Saudis support it, with each side citing a number of reasons.
Omaima Khamis, director of education media for girls in Jeddah, says that Mother’s Day celebrations have no place in private schools because there are other more important issues which should be discussed by students.
“Love and loyalty to one’s mother is a part of our Islamic faith, and celebrating Mother’s Day in Saudi Arabia does not benefit our students in school,” said Khamis.
“Our priority in the field of education is to improve our educational methods by discussing crucial issues, such as, educational philosophy or giving female students the right to play sports and take physical education classes. These issues are more important than celebrating Mother’s Day which can be done throughout the year,” added Khamis.
Islamic scholars say that Islam teaches one to have high respect for one’s mother; the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once said that “paradise is at her feet.”
Sheikh Asem Al-Hakim, Imam of Jaafar Al-Tayyar mosque, considers the celebrating of a special day for mothers to be an imitation of non-Muslims, pointing out that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “ Whoever imitates or resembles a nation, he is considered among them.”
“We have to ask ourselves before we do something, if the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) did it? Or is March 21 a special date in Muslim or Arab traditions? Of course it is not; so why should we observe it when Islam as a religion shows more respect and love for women and mothers than any other religion in the world,” Al-Hakim said.
“Imitating what Western nations do opens doors for Muslims to celebrate many other occasions which are forbidden,” added Al-Hakim.
However, Marah Abdul- Fattah, an Arab third and fourth grade teacher at Al-Omam International School, supports the idea of celebrating Mother’s Day with her students.
“I always remind my students of the love that their mothers have for them, and I ask the students to write a paragraph about their mothers and I advise them to love and respect their parents and not to get angry with them throughout the year,” said Abdul-Fattah.
“Celebrating Mother’s Day at schools is a good chance for students to renew their relationships with their mothers by making a special card with sweet words in class and realizing how hard their parents have worked for them,” she added. Umm Husam, a Syrian teacher of religion, says that the idea of celebrating Mother’s Day came as a result of the disintegration of family ties in the West. The special day is a chance for family members to reconnect.
“In Islam, we celebrate our mother, as well as our father, every day. I don’t mind my kids giving me gifts whether on this day or on any other day. But there is no need for them to make a big party for me,” Umm Husam said.
Maya Al-Jassim , a student at the Arab Open University, said that it is not necessary to give her mother a gift on that special day as she can give her a gift any time she has a chance to do so.
“Giving a gift and being loyal to your parents is important to make them feel happy and to show your appreciation for all that they have done for you. But it is not necessary to set aside special dates as they do in the West,” Al-Jassim said.
“We have to refresh and renew our relations with our parents every now and then by giving them what they need. Giving your mother a surprise gift of flowers at any time is a wonderful thing to do,” Al-Jassim added. – SG
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