Aishiteru, Takah!
Chapter 3
To be honest, I had my own concerns this morning when I heard Taka's words that enabled me to become a Muslim. Maybe I sounded exaggerated instead of feeling happy. But being a Muslim because of a marriage brings fear to me.
I fear that if we face religious differences in understanding in addressing the problems that may come in marriage between me who has a little bit of understanding about Islam, and him who does not know at all. Moreover, I was afraid that he would become a Muslim just to facilitate our marriage. Thinking about this all made my head quite sore.
Thinking of something, I tried to find contacts of Muslim organizations in Japan and fortunately, I was able to get it easily. Armed with a recklessness, I contacted the number listed on the site of the Islamic Centre Istiqlal Osaka Mosque which serves consultations for the general public who want to know more about Islam.
Istiqlal Osaka Mosque is the first mosque in Japan managed by Indonesians and the Islamic Centre is an organization with a variety of useful activities. It was founded in 1966 and is a legally recognized organization. It is non-commercial and not a political organization. Here you can find information about Islam in Japan. For example, information on what documents are needed to prepare for Islamic marriage in Japan, religious classes, and consultations on Islam or the lives of Muslims in Japan.
[Assynoltomodel. Meet Rinai, an Indonesian living in Japan. In the near future I will have a marriage with a Japanese man who is willing to convert. But I still have my own fears. I am afraid that my future husband is just a convert to identity and the need to marry without being desired by carrying out the obligations that Muslims do. Is my decision to accept this marriage correct? My hope is that you will reply to this email. Wassalamualaikum]
I pressed the send button and took a deep breath.
***
[Waalaikumsalam, greetings to Rinai. Introduce me, I'm Syaroh. I am an Indonesian citizen who lives in Japan and is married to a Japanese. When I got married, I had the same thoughts as you. I can feel your worry. But what I can tell you is, that guidance can come anytime, anywhere and through anyone. Maybe your future husband intends to become a convert because it will hold a marriage with you. If you have yes, I can say, your struggle only began after marriage. In a way, you are the closest person who will introduce the true face of Islam to your husband later. What is the duty of a Muslim, and his prohibitions. Do not put excessive worry so that it dampens your steps. Who knows after getting married and seeing your life as a Muslim, your husband will feel called from the heart to follow in your footsteps. Learning is valid for a lifetime, including in the study of religion. Bismillah, intend in your heart to enter a new life which in our religion is like perfecting half religion. Pray that your husband will be guided by Allah SWT and Istiqomah. Our fellow Muslims will pray for the good of you both. Hopefully my answer will ease your burden a little. Wassalamodaikum.]
"Alhamdulillah," I said with relief, shortly after reading the reply to the email I sent.
***
By late afternoon Taka came and brought a lot of snacks. He said it was a gift from Toru's wife to me. My eyes sparkled as I looked at Higashi, Yatsuhashi, and Okaki.
Higashi is a traditional Japanese cake that is dry and sweet. Made from rice flour and sugar, Higashi includes a long-lasting cake. It looks beautiful in all shapes. Higashi is usually a complement to drinking green tea during the tea ceremony. The sweet taste of Higashi can compensate for the bitterness of Matcha.
While Yatsuhashi is a cake from Kyoto made of rice flour with sweet fillings such as cinnamon sugar, red beans, chocolate. In Indonesia it is almost the same as klepon. The difference is, this Yatsuhashi is triangular.
"I will make tea, the snack is suitable to drink with tea," I said heading to the kitchen. Taka just smiled broadly at my behavior. He knows that I like to eat sweet treats.
"Are there any information about what I should do for our wedding?" taka asked as I just sat next to him and unfolded Okaki.
"Yes, you said if you were willing to become a Muslim, right?"
He nodded.
"First of all, there are conditions you must meet to become a Muslim. If you have time, tomorrow we can go to Tokyo Camii to get more information" I explained.
Tokyo Camii is the largest mosque in Japan with a Turkish cultural center located nearby in the Ooyama-cho district of Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. The mosque was originally established with a school adjacent to the mosque on May 12, 1938 by Bashkir and Tatar immigrants from Russia who came to Japan after the October Revolution.
"Is it hard to be a Muslim?" ask Taka again. I can catch the curiosity in his voice.
"Not really. You only need to say 2 words."
"2 sentences? Was it hard?"
I turned my head and looked at him for a moment. "To become a Muslim, you only need to say two sentences of shahada. You can search the internet if you can't wait for tomorrow."
Taka nodded in understanding. "I'll just wait for tomorrow. There are many things I want to know more about Islam."
I smiled and felt relief in my heart. Taka showed interest even though he was a little.
