Assalaam alaikum,
When I moved back to the DC area I was bored. I started taking my mom to the local masjid. I do not like this area. I was kinda sorta job hunting at the time. The sisters at the masjid got to know me because I would take my mother and they loved my mother. I volunteered as the Islamic Studies teacher for the high school. We had a lot of fun. The students enjoyed the classes. I had originally volunteered for a month to help them ease into the school year. I remained a volunteer for two months.
I stated a job hunt. I was going to accept a position in DC, I needed a reference. I went to the little Islamic school. They needed a teacher. They offered me a job. I took the job. It payed less than one third of what I would have been making. I decided to take the job for obvious reasons. I wanted the blessings of Allah.
I taught a combined fifth and sixth grade. I taught all the core classes. I also taught PE when the PE teacher was fired. It was a little out of my realm as I more comfortable with older students and adults. Nevertheless, I gave it my all. I loved my little daughters. They are still in contact with me. I never say anything derogatory about the school or teachers. I tell them to listen and behave.
I fully understand that things happen. I am not bitter or angry about the dismissal. It took a few weeks to bounce back. It has been very difficult financially, but, I think about Prophet Ayub. And, in essence I understand these trials that I am going through are cleaning me. I am grateful that I am being tested but I do pray that Allah not test me too much, beyond what I can endure.
So, I am not seeking any recompense for the dismissal. I had kept it very private. I am adult enough to move forward. The firing was finished. I have moved on. I am not seeking to bring any negative light on Muslims. I spoke to one of the most respected imams in the area. It took me a while to have a meeting and he was very comforting. He listened to me. He suggested that I meet with this brother and himself. ( Falls Church)
I decided and wrote to the imam that I would seek the path of forgiveness. I asked the imam to keep me in his dua. Whatever happens in the school is not my concern anymore.
I continued to attend the masjid. I see the two as very separate. Thus, I was hit with a lighting bolt tonight.
I am still job hunting. InshaAllah, I will get a job out of this area. As I told my son, InshaAllah, the minute he is handed his diploma I will go tearing out of this area with my tires smoking and the wheels spinning.
I am not an angry person. But, I will not be treated unfairly.
And it is not the ADAMS center as I believe women should be separated from men as we pray among other things.
There are other masjids...my father was instrumental in getting the people to have a masjid here....just last week the imam told me how much he liked my father..and that is why he knew me...this masjid is sentimental..and it is walking distance...and it would be too hard on my mother.
And here is the real tear jerker...when the rug is pulled under your feet...I had to give up custody of my baby..he needed daddy more at this time..I am holding my heart together with duct tape.
You know all I want to do is go to the masjid and have the strenght of congregational worship. To make salat knowing that 70,000 angles are descending upon that building on a given day.
