Indian Nobel Prize Nominee Embraces Islam
It takes extraordinary courage for a rich
and famous Hindu to embrace Islam and be faced with the ire of Hindu
extremists, who recently murdered an Australian Missionary priest and his two
lovely children by burning them alive.
The celebrated Indian novelist and poetess
Dr. Kamala Das is now Suraiyya. Her Krishna
poems are replaced by Ya Allah.
Kamala's "My Story" has been
published in more than 15 languages and is a text book in Japan. Her
English poetry collections include: Summer in Calcutta, Alphabet of Lust, The Descendants,
Old Play House, and Only the Soul Knows How to Sing. She has been awarded
numerous prizes and was the only Malayalee to be nominated for the Nobel Prize.
Here is part of the "Times of
India" article:
I like Islam's orthodox lifestyle: Kamala
Das
S Balakrishnan
The Times of India
MUMBAI: Noted writer Kamala Das finds
herself in the eye of a storm following her recent decision to embrace Islam
and change her name to Suraiya. This is not the first time she finds herself
embroiled in a controversy. Her writings in the past have generated
considerable heat. But the earlier controversies were essentially confined to
literary circles. Her decision to convert to Islam has taken Kerla by storm
with applause and criticism both flying in her direction. The Times of India
spoke to her over the telephone at her home in Kochi on Tuesday evening. Excerpts:
Question: When exactly
did you decide to embrace Islam?
Answer: I do not remember the exact time. I
think it was about 27 years ago.
Q: Why did you wait so
long to convert?
A: When I discussed the matter first with my
husband in the early seventies, he asked me to wait. He advised me to read
books on Islam. I again thought of converting before the 1984 parliamentary
elections.
But, not all my children were married and
settled at that time. I did not want my decision to impact on their lives. Now,
all of them are well settled and happy. Hence, I have announced my decision now.
Q: Who introduced you to
Islam?
A: My first interface with Islam was through
two blind Muslim children, Irshad Ahmed and Imtiaz Ahmed. They were sent to me
by the National Association for the Blind since I had volunteered to read and
teach the blind. The children virtually stayed at our flat at Bank House at
Churchgate, Mumbai. I was required to read them Islamic scriptures.
Q: What was it in Islam
which attracted you?
A: I liked the purdah which Muslim women
wore. I liked the orthodox lifestyle of Muslim women.
Q: But, doesn't the
Purdah circumscribe your freedom?
A: I don't want freedom. I had enough of it
thrust on me. Freedom had become a burden for me. I want guidelines to regulate
and discipline my life. I want a master to protect me. I wanted protection and
not freedom. I want to be subservient to Allah. In fact, for the past 24 years
I had worn a purdah off and on. I had gone to markets, matinee shows and even
while abroad I had worn purdah. I have several of them.
A woman in purdah is respected. No one
touches you or teases you if you wear one. You get total protection.
Q: But isn't freedom the
most precious of all gifts enjoyed by humankind?
A: My freedom had become frayed at the
edges. It was not good any more. It was no more the toy I wanted to play with.
I had outgrown the desire for freedom.
Q: What was the immediate
reason to accept Islam?
A: Recently I was travelling in a car from
the Malabar to Kochi.
I started the journey at 5.45 a.m. I looked at the rising sun. Surprisingly, it
had the colour of a setting sun. It travelled with me and at 7.00 a.m. it
turned white. For years I have been looking for signs telling me when to
convert. Finally, I got the message.
Q: Can you please specify
the three chief reasons which prompted you to become a Muslim?
A: I cannot list the reasons like that. I
wanted protection. My husband died seven years ago and I am now a lonely widow
who is 67 years old. When he was there he provided me with protection. I had
not to bother about getting tickets, passports, visa and such other things. I
just had to follow him.
Q: Did your children
approve of your decision?
A: Yes they did. They respect my decision.
In fact, one of my sons has embraced Buddhism.
For additional reading:
High priestess of love "The Week"
"How I embraced Islam "-Islamic Bulletin
Kamala Das, nee Surayya, is VHP's new hate object - Rediff on the Net.
"The Hindu" newspaper article: Suraiyya triggers purdah boom
Famous Indian writer embraces Islam - Khaleej Times
