Going back and reading through all my reflections was actually very enjoyable. I was able to see my thoughts from the very first class and compare them to how I think now. Overall, my ideas and reflections have stayed pretty consistent, but I was able to see how much more knowledge I have gained reflection after reflection. Coming into the class, I was pretty knowledgeable about Islam, as I have lived it my whole life. Islam is more than a religion, it’s a way of life, and every day as a Muslim teaches you more about the beautiful religion. Though, I have never really had in-depth conversations about sexuality in Islam and how Muslim communities view same-sex marriages.
I have always known that in Islam, homosexuality is forbidden – haram. It is a test from Allah and we must abide by His rules. When reading sources we have delved into in class, I was able to see scholarly perspectives of same-sex marriages in Islam. Seeing such casual conversations about homosexuality in Islam was very different, as I’ve never really had a true conversation about it. But, throughout this entire course I was really able to get closer to Islam, as I was constantly reminded through the pieces we have read that we must always stick to the basic principles of Islam and follow the Quran.
Over the semester, I can definitely feel that my writing has improved. Although looking back I could have done many more reflections, I can see how my reflections have improved over time, from going to small, one-paragraph reflections, to in-depth conversation. I enjoyed my reflection on the “Feminist Theory, Embodiment, and the Docile Agent: Some Reflections on the Egyptian Islamic Revival” because I was able to relate the readings to my own personal experiences. One way I could improve my writings is allowing myself to expand on ideas more and give more commentary. Overall, I really enjoyed the sources we have read in this class, although some very challenging to understand, it helped me become a better writer and strengthen my relationship with Islam.
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