Culture Shock

I grew up and spent my whole life here in Marawi and it is where I’ve felt what life really is since the day I’d learned how to feel. So far, I haven’t had any experience of culture shock here. But if really asked what kind of experience made me feel culturally shock within this familiar society where I grew up, I would definitely answer about the changes in the way of living of the Muslims here in Marawi, which is known to be an Islamic City.
I am referring to no one but this is what I noticed in today’s society, Islamic society to be specific. Muslims, especially of today’s generation, seem to forget, or should I say, could not tell apart what is right from what is wrong regarding their religion. They appear to disregard the proper etiquettes of being a good Muslim. To share this particular experience I am referring to, let me point out about the Maranaos dating publicly in MSU, not just in MSU but almost everywhere.
As far as I’m concerned, there is no such thing as boyfriend-girlfriend relationship in Islam. They say, it’s either your married or not. But today, you can see a lot of Maranao teenagers dating almost everywhere. Some say that teenagers commit in a relationship because they consider it as trendy; or just because if you don’t have one it means you’re a gay and get laughed at school most especially for the guy ones; while some others commit just for fun. Is that what you call a good Muslim? I may not be that good Muslim but I am trying to be one. I admit that I’m still not that good Muslimah and I still have lots of learning to cope about my religion to make this point of issue but, for me, I still consider it wrong. Forgive me if what I’ve said offended you or forgive me if you think my stand about this issue is wrong because, I admit, there’s a 60-40 percentage that I’m only saying this because I grew up from a religious and very conservative family, my parents are the strict ones. They, most especially my father, always remind me not to engage... [continues]

Read full essay